Just a question that I have. I have heard alot of people say that GSDs love water! The crapy breeder that I purchased Kane from even said that he has kiddie pools for his dogs in the summer. Is it a natural thing for them to like water? See Kane who is now 6 1/2 months old doesnt seem to like water. He hates bath time, and lately its been so hot here in California that when hes outside I wet him down because its just too hot. I know he feels better after the fact but while hes getting wet hes hating me! :rolleyes: Even if a sprinkler is on he will go completely around to avoid getting wet. I have taken him to lakes and he will get in the lake up to the bottom of his belly but so far not any deeper. Is he scared of water and if so is there anything I can do do make him enjoy it better?

I wouldnt worry my gs hated water when he was a pup, he absolutly hated bath time or shower time.
As a pup we would alway take him to the beach or a lake to try and get him used to it - even to point were i would carry him in and hold him in the water and let him swim back in. he didnt like to much but it showed him that he could swim and there was nothing to be scared of. I would also go in and encourage to come by calling him frantically. Then one day i think he was about 6-7 months he just came right in for a swim - now hes addicted to water, cant keep him out of it, lakes rivers and the sea, to tiny puddles that he takes a run up to then jumps in - quite pathetic considering the size of him to the puddle but he enjoys it.
So i wouldnt worry - encourage him in show him that he has nothing to fear. Im sure he'll love it.
PS even now my dog only likes getting wet on his own occord. he will let me shower him, but he doesnt like it!

Chastity, I don't know if your dog has a ton of ball drive or not but that's what did the trick for me. I used to have an adult male that had never been swimming before. The first time I threw Preachers ball in the lake he looked at me like "What in the hell did you do that for?" It was pretty funny. With a little animated coaxing his drive for the ball was greater than his fear of swimming for the first time. Within 5 minutes he was swimming like a pro and driving me crazy with that look of anticipation of me throwing it in the water again. Just start out tossing it a few feet or you might find yourself swimming to get your ball back. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Luckily after 5 minutes of tossing the ball in close to shore he didn't think twice about jumping in and swimming 100 feet and more to get his ball. He and I did this everyday from that point on. Bathing is a whole different story and don't believe it has anything to do with not liking water "in my opinion." Most dogs feel confined with the feeling of having no control in a tub. Look at kids. If you ask a small kid to take a bath they look at you and fight you much like a dog in some ways. Ask them if they want to go swimming and they can't make it to the car fast enough. And then again some kids like baths. Every dog is different.

Poor Preacher! This makes me sad and stirs up a lot of emotion thinking about all of the good times and funny expressions he used to give me. May he rest in peace and I hope that one day I will see him again. I only hope that he has forgiven me for putting him down to sleep.

Sorry!

Good Luck,

Glenn

Yeah I guess your right. Taking a bath and swimming are two different things. I just need to encourage him more. And Glenn, Im sorry for your loss. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> As forgiving as our dog companions are for sometimes some of the dimbest behavior... Im sure he knows it was for the best and he will greet you as happily as he did before. A dogs love is unconditional. Thanks both of you for the oppinions!