Do Newfs dive?

[CathyC.]

I was playing with obi in the pool today and I wondered whether Newfs will dive down? We were doing under water take its on the wide pool steps but obi could not get the sinker on the second step under the water. He really wanted to and he tried really hard. His preferred method would be to paw the sinker to shallower waters but that is impossible on steps. It has been a while since we did this in a kiddie pool or at the beach but obi doesn't seem keen on putting his head too far into the water. He even tried swimming out and coming back to get it or paw it but could not bring himself to just go for it. He sure had fun though. I just sat on the chair and gave him lots of time to try before moving the sinker to a shallower step so he could end on success.

I know a newf will jump into the water too but obi hasn't figured out how to jump into the pool yet. When I toss an item in he will circle around the pool to get closer to it, stare at it intently and approach the edge then dash away for the stairs and swim madly to fetch the item. It is pretty cute but funny when he has no qualms about jumping off of other things. Like the bed. Which he isn't supposed to do. Completely ignores the ramp unless every other avenue of escape is blocked.

 

[CathyC.]

Update. It took a while but obi finally stuck his head in the water far enough to get the sinker on the second step! He did it two or three times today but it takes him a while to decide to do it each time.

He really doesn't like me to be in the pool however even in water not quite up to my waist. He wants to rush in and "save" me by swimming on top of me or barking. At the beach he seems okay but the pool really sets his instincts on high and it can be dangerous. So, today we worked on stay. He had to stay on the pool deck while I went into the pool. Slowly. He did okay until I made the smallest splash with my hand then all bets were off and he was instantly beside me. Then he did not even want to stay on the pool deck anymore. So, every time he crept down the stairs I splashed him! It worked but then he would bark incessantly at me. So I splashed for barking, too. Eventually, I was in the pool and he was on the edge and quiet. I think he liked it when I came over to the edge and gave him hugs.

Our pool days are numbered, sadly because we don't have one at the new house yet. We move next week. The pool has been a real boon in this heat for obi. He has been swimming almost every day. The salt water is great for his skin and fur too. I was worried about hot spots and mats but so far there have been no issues that I've discovered.

 

[R Taft]

Some do dive..... Our josh did and so did Yussie, Yussiecwould go under completely to retrieve. Josh would jump off the side and retrieve deep objects if he could see them. Loved it