I finally got my 1 yr old DS to swim today. Have tried several times now, but it's usually been in rivers, where the current is so strong that it prevents him from going out past the 'wading' depth. He did fantastic! I had been debating the 'trial by fire' method, thinking about tossing him off a dock, but he went straight out after a stick! (Didn't want to risk loosing the ball if he didn't get deep enough, and I didn't want to swim- the swimming dog, an English Pointer- isn't trustworthy off leash) Yaaayyyyy Koenig! No pics this time, but I'll try to get some tomorrow, or later this week if the weather holds here in NW Washington.

I'm envious!! So far, our introductions to water have proved rather boorrring... I took Falcon down to the Outer Banks of NC a few weeks ago and the heat, sand and waves did nothing to inspire a love of water. This dog will kill to play in the hose, but only stands in his "puppy pool" while putting his head completely underwater... Oy! (aka: oi!)

Enjoy your dog in the water!

Toro used to lay down and put his head under water, but didn't actually feel confident with his feet of the ground until he was 4 1/2 years old! He could stand the prospect of another dog getting the stick any longer...

 Quote: phaedra rieff

He could stand the prospect of another dog getting the stick any longer...

It was the competition of "winning" the ball that got our guys to be enthusiasic swimmers.

I've always been a fan of the 'trial by fire' teaching reluctant dogs to swim. Go to a nice calm lake, out onto the boat dock (by a nice ramp, with no traffic) and then...

OOPS! Would you look at that? I just shoved my poor doggy into the water!! (See modification of this post, second post on page two of this thread.)

Run to the shore in front of the ramp, meet your poor drenched pup, and praise, praise, praise! I've never had a dog drown on me ...yet... Then again, I was raised with Newfoundlands.

Glad I didn't have to do minor mental trauma to this guy though.

Barbara,
I bet if Falcon will put his head under water he'd swim out to meet you in a nice calm body of water. I've had some dogs that are AWSOME swimmers (ex: Newfies) but never wanted to tackle waves.

Phaedra, and Rob,
It was also the competition that got Koenig in. Sara (our English Pointer) REALLY wanted the stick as well, but was on a long line and not allowed. Amazing what they will do to win against the other K-9's!

Edited by Connie Sutherland (08/24/2010 06:35 PM)
Edit reason: mod insertion

 Quote: kelly byrd

I've always been a fan of the 'trial by fire' teaching reluctant dogs to swim. Go to a nice calm lake, out onto the boat dock (by a nice ramp, with no traffic) and then...

OOPS! Would you look at that? I just shoved my poor doggy into the water!!

I'm not such a fan. I would have to precede that suggestion by about six disclaimers, beginning with "reluctant does not mean terrified" and "I already know the dog can swim."

Thousands of people, new to dogs as well as experienced, read these posts.

I recommend that readers checking out this thread look at other threads about dogs who can't swim, and about dogs who are terrified of water and whose only safe intro is a gradual desensitizing.

This was a good disclaimer, though: "I've never had a dog drown on me ...yet... Then again, I was raised with Newfoundlands."

 Quote: kelly byrd

I finally got my 1 yr old DS to swim today. .... he went straight out after a stick!

I've laughed at dogs watching that stick, wanting that stick, hesitating, oooh I WANT that stick .... and then "Oh heck, gimme that stick!"

I have to strongly agree with Connie on the idea that pushing a dog to swim can be both dangerous and harmful to the bond of trust we want to form with our dogs. All my German Shepherds have been naturally enthusiastic swimmers, including my current dog, Mika, age 2. However, recently I took a foster dog to the lake with us and had a frightening experience. The dog, a Lab cross, headed down to the water’s edge following my dog. Mika immediately headed out toward the middle of the lake and the Lab started to follow. Silly me, I thought the dog – being part Lab and all – was fine until he suddenly disappeared. He came back up and it took all of 2 seconds before I realized he was in serious trouble. He started panicking and kept going back underwater. I dove in – clothes and all – and got out to him quickly and was able to help him to shore. Thankfully, the water was calm and not overly deep. But, I learned an important lesson: not all dogs swim naturally. Some dogs really need our help learning how to swim. And then, there are dogs that never learn to enjoy the water. I think the best approach is to go slowly, make it as much fun as possible and recognize that if your dog is frightened, s/he is not going to enjoy the outing.

Thats a main reason they DO make life vests for dogs- some just can't. It can be a breed traits- Bassets, and Greyhounds are some that generally can't. As I said in my original reply, I did grow up with parents that bred Newfoundlands. These dogs (as most know) were bred to be water rescue dogs. I've never had a dog terrified of water, and I would respect that if I did, taking the proper steps to desensitize him to the issue. I apoligise if I may have angered some people in my response... It was certainly not ment to do that.
If anyone is new to dogs, and has ANY reservations about a dog swimming, or not being capable, tread lightly, and be cautious in what you do!

Seems to me like dumping your dog in the water is one quick way to reduce his trust in you. If the dog is smart and remains water avoidant - he'll keep his distance from you when water is near.