Canine Life Vest?
- Thread starter Liisa
- Start date
Ivoryudx
New member
janices
New member
Agreed.
JackandKelly
New member
,,,
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NessaM
New member
Also agreed. Be sure to measure him for fit - we bought one too small for Nanook and had to get a size up.
pecanpiepatti
New member
Also agreed; on line or REI.
Bojie
New member
Liisa- Jenn was recently asking about this- if you're FB friends with her, check on her wall. Lots of comments about it. We used Ruffwear to get Boj swimming at first. The very best way to get them to start is in a lake, or calm water with a gradual grade (not steep) so that they can walk in slowly. The hardest part is getting them to take that final step that gets them to where they cant stand on the bottom anymore. Wear one for yourself too. Bojie wouldn't swim the first 1+ yr of his life. I realized when he was close to 2yrs old, that it was because I was on shore! I walked out together with him in the bay, and gave him lots and lots of meatballs and praise and when I started swimming, he did too
I wasted all that time throwing and losing awesome balls and bumpers all because I stayed on the beach! After that first swim together, I can't get him to stop or out of the water to this day! But their first few swims are awkward. He'll be pawing at you in the water, wear your own life vest for safety and a rash guard or wet suit top to prevent scratches. Pools were really difficult for Boj to grasp the concept of even after being an avid swimmer. If he'll be in your pool, until Coop gets comfy you can get a ramp for him to use instead of stairs- Boj still doesn't like pool stairs- he'd rather jump in the side and hoist himself out the side like a freak. Just ask Nessa. If the CT Newf club practices water training close to where you live, they'd be a great help to get him started just swimming (there are 2 Newfs that are fearful of swimming that come to our training days just to get them one step deeper into the water each week, and make it something fun for them- they've never swam) even of you don't join their training sessions, I'm sure where they practice is an ideal spot to get him wet on your own. The most important thing I can tell you, which I know you won't have a problem with, is make it fun fun fun. Lots of whoo hoos and clapping and treats. Don't force him- I've never seen a Newf react favorably to wanting to swim when it's not a fun activity you'll be great!
I wasted all that time throwing and losing awesome balls and bumpers all because I stayed on the beach! After that first swim together, I can't get him to stop or out of the water to this day! But their first few swims are awkward. He'll be pawing at you in the water, wear your own life vest for safety and a rash guard or wet suit top to prevent scratches. Pools were really difficult for Boj to grasp the concept of even after being an avid swimmer. If he'll be in your pool, until Coop gets comfy you can get a ramp for him to use instead of stairs- Boj still doesn't like pool stairs- he'd rather jump in the side and hoist himself out the side like a freak. Just ask Nessa. If the CT Newf club practices water training close to where you live, they'd be a great help to get him started just swimming (there are 2 Newfs that are fearful of swimming that come to our training days just to get them one step deeper into the water each week, and make it something fun for them- they've never swam) even of you don't join their training sessions, I'm sure where they practice is an ideal spot to get him wet on your own. The most important thing I can tell you, which I know you won't have a problem with, is make it fun fun fun. Lots of whoo hoos and clapping and treats. Don't force him- I've never seen a Newf react favorably to wanting to swim when it's not a fun activity you'll be great!
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KodysGrandma
New member
Haven't found a place to take Thunder yet, but years ago we could take our Labs to the creek. They would let me go in the water until their feet came off the ground. Then they would swim and tow me in.
dumainedogs
New member
Okay ruffwear users.. Portage? or the Big Eddie? Obie doesn't get to swim often and as such is a bit of a beginner. I suspect he'll never be using it in rough surf or a flowing river. So, I would think we could get by with the cheaper version. Any thoughts? He can swim on his own, but he's not a very confident swimmer. I blame his inexperience and would like to try to get in some lake time this summer to rectify that! I know I'd be more confident if he was in a jacket!
heather pluciennik
New member
Yes Ruffwear is all we've bought for Morgan. Best visibility and bought the rough water jacket since we never know how our lake is going to be on any given day. Walk in ahead of him holding a treat? Or run in and try to let him run in with you. Good Luck!
dumainedogs
New member
Thanks Janice.. I'm ordering now before the water in Lake Pontchartrain gets too hot again! It has actually cooled down from all the Mississippi River water they're funneling into it to keep us from flooding. Might be a little muddier, but I don't think Obie will complain!
CMDRTED
New member
CONCUR!!!:icon_bb: