Question about swimming

[CathyC.]

I seem to be the only one posting about water work at the moment but I'm hoping for some btdt advice.

We've been working on dry land and a bit at lakes teaching some water rescue drills. Obi loves to romp in th water but honestly he isn't that keen about actually swimming thus far. We can get him to swim out a few feet but then he wants to turn around and head back for shore or he will try to climb on me. When I throw the bumper out into the water he will swim to get that but he usually pauses like he's debating whether or not to go. Also, we can't get him to swim in our pool. He will only go down to the second or third step, even if we put a ramp in the pool for him.

So, would a life jacket help him? Or is he just not suited to the work? What do you think?

Thanks

 

[AngusMcDubhsMom]

Hi, Cathy,
I'm beginning water work with Traveler just now also. He's very enthusiastic about going after his bumper, like Obi but sometimes (just sometimes) he seems a bit hesitant about going further into deeper water. I'm taking some folks advice who I know have done a lot with their dogs and just "Have fun!" I go out with him, splash around, make it play and as I'm doing so he's going deeper and losing that shyness. One of the people I know is a NCA judge as well, and she seems to emphasize to take baby steps and make it fun first.
How old is Obi? Maybe a jacket would help with his confidence. I've never tried one.

I am also re-reading Judi Adler's book Water Work, Water Play. You might want to get a copy. I'm having trouble finding someone to train with also, so it's more hit and miss for me too. It has been 10 yrs since I did this and a group really does help, if you can find someone. Keep in touch.
.

 

[Senea]

I started Taver off with a life jacket. Mostly because I had him in the water at 16 weeks and the pool I took him to required it. It really helped with his confidence. He was paddling like a pro the first time. And I had to hold him back to put it on the second visit. You do have to be careful to not let them get dependent on it though. Taver doesn't wear his in the pool anymore but I do use it at the ocean just in case.
In a perfect world they'd just follow all their buddies into the water and go, but if you're like me a friendly pack of swimming newfs isn't on every corner around here.
The trick of course is finding a newf sized one. The cheap ones are just to little. Ezy dog makes one that's big enough and not horribly expensive. I use the one for up to 90 lbs. it has lots of room in the straps though we are at the very end of them these days. And Taver hasn't been 90lbs for a while now. It does give him that little extra to feel good about new places.

We're sort of working on water training, but it's a do it yourself project and I admit to having no clue what I'm doing at all I just need exercise for him and we both love playing "games".

 

[R Taft]

We do you use jackets on our dogs when they are puppies and when it is cold, but mostly we go out and play in the water and have so much fun, they cannot help but feel they have to go in..definitly do not push your young dogs as it will worry them forever. Pools are kinda scary as things are smooth and slippery.....that is why clam water with a nice "entry" is a great place to teach confidence

 

[CathyC.]

Thanks for all the responses. I feel better about things and will just work on making it fun at the beach. We can't get to the beach all that often sadly and the man made pond and the river we live on I don't trust because of pollution.

Obi is seven, almost eight months now. We are also working solo for the most part and I don't really know what I'm doing. We attended one seminar which was a great starting point though.

 

[takemebacktotulsa]

Books like Judi Adler's and Bettina & Annina's are great if your working on your own. Forget the pool if he doesn't like it and concentrate on going to the lake or beach with a gradual entry when you can. Take the BEST FOOD EVER if he's food motivated and have the time of your life playing and treating him when he goes in. Get in and swim with him and if you could find another dog having fun that he wants to play with that would help. My guy "got it" when he was about a year, so don't give up!