I have a swimming pool in backyard and 19 mos old intelligent Shepherd. How do I get him to swim? Will tossing him in pool traumatize him? He fell in the pool oonce as a small pup and hasn't been in since.
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
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Loc: North-Central coast of California
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Quote: vicki mah
I have a swimming pool in backyard and 19 mos old intelligent Shepherd. How do I get him to swim? Will tossing him in pool traumatize him? He fell in the pool oonce as a small pup and hasn't been in since.
Please don't do that or let anyone do that with any age dog.
On top of terrorizing the dog, you need to show the dog several times, carefully, where the exit is. Every year, dogs drown in the pool because they get in when no one is around, don't know how to get out, and eventually can no longer stay afloat.
You can sit on the wide steps (not the ladder) so that you are just in a couple of inches of water and play with the dog there, using a beloved toy and high-value treats, until he is comfortable at that level. He will probably like it if he is never forced or scared.
Dennis Jones Webboard User Reg: 06-13-2004
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Loc: Richmond Va
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Roxie would not go in the water for me for any amount of encouragement. What worked was having Erika jump in after her toy while Roxie watched. then I tossed Roxie's toy in and she went after it. I started at paw deep and worked up to full swim that afternoon. helps if its hot out and the water is cool
I got Teddee in by marker training him on the large top step. I lured him in with a treat and marked. Once I got him in, it's tough to get him not to go in on hot days. He seems to only Luke the top step as he won't o in any further. I've got hum to go down another step and he is content with laying and splashung on the step.
To reiterate what others have said, once you get your dog in, you must train them how to get out. They can panic and go to a side where they cannot get out if they are not trained how to get out.
If that doesn't work, do a search for "swimming" on the forum. The OPer was Joyce Salazar.
We have two "non-water" dogs, both of whom now love the pool so much, we can't keep them out. In other words, the techniques work, with a little (sometimes lots) of patience, praise and encouragement.
Yes a gradual ramp works great. i also used a doggy life jacket (outward hound makes one of the best). I went out to the lake and walked Stryker in holding the handle of the life jacket. I walked out with him until he couldn't touch and was paddeling. I held him by the handle and let him tread water and then released him. He was able to swim until he touched bottom. Once i saw him relax (after about a day or two of repeating the above) I tossed a toy in and out he swam to get it. he now is a fish and swims without the jacket.
As I posted in another post once he heals from his hip surgeries we are hoping to agility and dock diving!
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How Do Introduce Dog to Swimming
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