thank you. So this weekend we try the 'big pool.'

This is what finally worked for me....

Put the dog on a leash and a prong, walk out the back door completely ignoring the dog pretending I don't even remember I had him on a leash n walk into the pool dragging him in with me. I've taught 3 dogs that hated the pool to swim this way now, including a 120lb great dane that's a complete chicken of everything n nobody believed me when I had a few drinks in the hot tub n said "I can get your dog to swim" <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> When they called me on it, same deal, prong, leash, walk into the pool, drag the chicken dog in with me, she swam a circle and climbed out, did it a 2nd time, no problem. She won't go in alone, but when they tried to teach her to swim herself, after the "lesson" was over she wouldn't come near the pool n would sit in a corner cowering, after I was done getting her to swim twice, she was investigating the edge of the pool almost like she wanted to go in a 3rd time but wasn't sure to do it by herself.

Don't talk to the dog, don't baby the dog, when they are swimming you can praise the hell outta them, but I found that any other way to do this and any hesitation or slowness on the handlers part results in a dog that's gonna be scared of the pool because daddy is making this big deal about the water, instead of just walking into it like it's a casual everyday thing.

 Quote:

This is what finally worked for me....

Put the dog on a leash and a prong, walk out the back door completely ignoring the dog pretending I don't even remember I had him on a leash n walk into the pool dragging him in with me. I've taught 3 dogs that hated the pool to swim this way now, including a 120lb great dane that's a complete chicken of everything n nobody believed me when I had a few drinks in the hot tub n said "I can get your dog to swim" <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

When they called me on it, same deal, prong, leash, walk into the pool, drag the chicken dog in with me, she swam a circle and climbed out, did it a 2nd time, no problem.

She won't go in alone, but when they tried to teach her to swim herself, after the "lesson" was over she wouldn't come near the pool n would sit in a corner cowering, after I was done getting her to swim twice, she was investigating the edge of the pool almost like she wanted to go in a 3rd time but wasn't sure to do it by herself.

Don't talk to the dog, don't baby the dog, when they are swimming you can praise the hell outta them, but I found that any other way to do this and any hesitation or slowness on the handlers part results in a dog that's gonna be scared of the pool because daddy is making this big deal about the water, instead of just walking into it like it's a casual everyday thing.

Having seen pictures of Mike-the-Pool-Whisperer's water-teaching mastery, I have to say go for it exactly the way he said. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The first thing once the dog is in, as Ed F. mentioned way back, is to demonstrate the whereabouts of the pool steps and how to use them..... more than once. The dog will be less frightened if s/he knows exactly where the steps are. Dogs can drown alone in pools when they can't find the way out.

My granddogs, working earth dogs, will now fly into the pool from the railing of the deck over it. It's pretty cool.

Are the pictures posted? I'd love to see them!
She's just 4 months old - no prong on her yet... Are you serious, drag her on in?
I've taught a lot of kids (including hanicapped children) to swim and the only one I 'dragged' in was my own son!

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Are the pictures posted? I'd love to see them!
She's just 4 months old - no prong on her yet... Are you serious, drag her on in?
I've taught a lot of kids (including hanicapped children) to swim and the only one I 'dragged' in was my own son!

Oh, four months....... a little different. Sending you a PM. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Mike, that's funny! That's what I did with one; I had the leash and was also holding my little dog, so I made it seem like I wasn't paying attention to the one on the leash and sort of accidentally, nonchalantly....oh, WHOOPS! Did I just accidentally drag you in the water precious? I am SOOO sorry! <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Then praise them and make it so that they enjoy themselves before they're allowed to get out. Worked like a charm. Devious, yes. Successful, yes. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hi, New user - this doesn't apply to teaching swimming but does relate to dogs and water -
A relative had three dogs they kept in their backyard, a Border Collie, Pomeranian and a 5-yr-old Teacup Chiuahua. The collie is a digger and had dug a hole going under the house. Last year after a heavy rainstorm they found the Chiuahua dead in that hole. Not sure what happened, if maybe the sides of the hole became too slippery for the dog to climb out. It had never occurred to me that something like this could happen, but certainly those with puppies and small dogs should be aware.

Peggy
TX

My GSD is finally retrieving stuff outta the water, I basically shoved his favorite toy in his mouth n guided him to the steps, now he'll go after his toy n bring it back every time <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> My dutchie pup on the other hand doesnt open her mouth n just paws at her toy making it sink n then she panics because her toy disappeared n swims back to the steps... tomorrow I'll get in the pool with her n shove it in her mouth like I did Cujo.

Our Brago hated getting splashed by the other dogs at first, but now he is a swimmer of Olympic proportions. Our newest girl Bronwyn, has been a water dog from the day we brought her home. She can't get a drink unless at least one leg is immersed in the water bucket. We have never tossed anybody in, just let them watch the others and follow along. Do you have any friends whose dogs swim? Maybe you could let your pup observe the fun. Here are a few pics of our "water dogs". As you can see, every one of mine loves getting wet!