Thanks for the Kick in the butt ... last Saturday, I resumed bringing the pup to the shop with me. He seems to enjoy spending the day in the crate at the shop more than at home alone on his tie-out. So, he is crated about 8 hours each day while I am here with the possibility of a brief afternoon break, if I'm not busy and he seems to have the need. And he seems fine with that.

So in the mornings we've been taking a nice leisurely walk from my parking space along the river and then along the sidewalk back to my store. He really enjoys playing in the river and I want him to be able to swim now that it is finally creeping into spring-like weather.

Since we have strong tidal currents in the river, as well as being in the city, and not being strong on the recall, I want to keep him on-leash (20' or 50' lines) while he is swimming. I would be there to manage the length of the line, while he is swimming. Any thoughts or concerns with his swimming while on-leash? Would a flexi-leash be better?

I also figure that the swimming will be good exercise for him but not too hard on his joints.

I would be super careful about swimming anywhere with a fast current. Even on leash, the collar could be pulled off; especially 20'-50' away would make me nervous. The on-leash part is all good though . Flexi-leads shouldn't get wet, it damages the internal mechanisms/springs and such. I found out the hard way . Very cool that you get a morning walk and that your pup is with you for the day. I didn't comment on the post where you mentioned keeping him tied out, but I love that you chose this option .

If you are going to do it, use a harness not a collar. I too have reservations about swift water. If your dog were to get in trouble due to currents you have to be able to rescue him. Keep in mind a drag line can get snagged underwater & create a very dangerous situation, so be prepared to go in and rescue the dog if necessary.

 Quote:

I want to keep him on-leash (20' or 50' lines) while he is swimming. I would be there to manage the length of the line, while he is swimming. Any thoughts or concerns with his swimming while on-leash?

Was there just another post about leashes and swimming? I can't remember. I have never swum my dog on a leash but, i just wanted to say that there is such a thing as floating rope, like the kind in thow bags, used in water rescue. Maybe you could make a long line out of that for swimming? Bet you gun dog supply stores or sites might have just such a thing pre-made as well.

Swimming is such great excercise. Watch for strong currents and maybe practice in flat water first.

First one I got on google:
http://www.puplife.com/dogsupplies/river-rope-long-line-dog-training-leash.html

Cheers,
Jennifer

Edited by Jennifer Coulter (05/23/2007 07:53 PM)
Edit reason: web adress addition

I would take my last pup swimming in the Sacramento River in northern California. I don't know what your river is like, but the Sacramento has lots of tree branches and other debris. I would be a little concerned about the pup getting tangled up also.

I would try to find a place in the river with less current.

My shepherd was a total water dog, she loved to play in the water.

Thanks for all the comments! So I put the pup back into his harness last night, in preparation for this morning. (I am so not a morning person!) And brought him down to our river this morning. I actually brought him on the otherside this morning where we have a public boat ramp, so it has a gradual transition in depth, versus on our other side it is a sudden drop off.

He ran and ran and ran along the waters edge, sometimes deeper sometimes shallower, and brief forays into actual swimming. He had a blast. He played and played for (20) minutes. Then I brought up on the lawn area away from the playground and ran around for another (20) minutes acting like his puppy-self. (Puppy Zooms is what I call it.) Between that and rolling around in the grass (boy does he get GREEN), I figured that it would help dry out his coat, as well as tire him out.

In regards to the current, it is strongest in the "center" of the river, on the edges your okay ... and you're okay in the center when the tide isn't at its strongest. But when we go swimming off the boat, we always wear a life jacket and we always put a rope from the boat to the life jacket. 'Cause most of us are just not strong enought to swim AGAINST the TIDE.

My fear for the pup was that if he swam out too far, he wouldn't be able to get back in on his own easily. You can always swim with the tide and work towards shore simultaneously, but end up a mile or two down/up river in the process. But a pup could panic in that circumstance. I have to remind myself constantly that every day there is something new for him to see, like all of the chirping birds in the trees, or the fish in the water. It is all still new to him. He is so big now, it is easy to forget that he is still a baby.

Thanks again for all of the feedback!

Louanne, Sounds like your pup had a great day and I think what you are doing is marvelous. Not every odg is lucky enough to get to swim every day let alone go to work with his human. I imagine he has no problems sleeping in the crate after all that excercize. Good job!