SherryNadra
New member
It's not water training. It's just his first opportunity to swim. He's 10 months old and weighs 124 lbs. He's got a beautiful coat. I had him groomed about 3 weeks ago, and the groomer said it's a good type of coat that isn't as prone to matting as some. All I know is it's very black, shiny, and soft. And everybody loves to touch him.
We went to the lake for the first time a couple weeks ago. He liked the water. I got in and slowly got further and further out. I did try to coax him to come to me. But as soon as his feet couldn't stay on the ground, and he was forced to try to swim, I saw some water go up his nose, and he rushed back to the shore. But only momentarily. Soon he was back in. We took our time, tried not to rush him; I refused to pretend I was in any trouble in the water. I just wanted him to enjoy it. However, I saw a look on his face I have never seen before-- I believe he was uncomfortable with me going further out in the water. Finally he must have just decided to DO IT and he swam to me. He splashed a bit in the front, so I guess that means his form wasn't exactly great. But he reached his mom; I got a little scratch on my face from his paw. I praised him for coming to me, and I held on to him--actually just laid my arm on him--and he turned right around and "pulled me in." (I kicked a little so he wouldn't have to work so hard.) I praised him to high heaven and then I didn't "ask" him to do anything else--I just wanted him to have fun in the water. He was in and out of the water for another hour or two. I think his first experience was good. He spent quite some time just sitting in the water near the shore. Once he even laid down, but as soon as a wake came by he got up.
I hope I handled it okay. I'm sure, when given the chance, he'll want to get in the water again.
Our friends took the pictures at the lake, so after they send them to me I can post them.
We went to the lake for the first time a couple weeks ago. He liked the water. I got in and slowly got further and further out. I did try to coax him to come to me. But as soon as his feet couldn't stay on the ground, and he was forced to try to swim, I saw some water go up his nose, and he rushed back to the shore. But only momentarily. Soon he was back in. We took our time, tried not to rush him; I refused to pretend I was in any trouble in the water. I just wanted him to enjoy it. However, I saw a look on his face I have never seen before-- I believe he was uncomfortable with me going further out in the water. Finally he must have just decided to DO IT and he swam to me. He splashed a bit in the front, so I guess that means his form wasn't exactly great. But he reached his mom; I got a little scratch on my face from his paw. I praised him for coming to me, and I held on to him--actually just laid my arm on him--and he turned right around and "pulled me in." (I kicked a little so he wouldn't have to work so hard.) I praised him to high heaven and then I didn't "ask" him to do anything else--I just wanted him to have fun in the water. He was in and out of the water for another hour or two. I think his first experience was good. He spent quite some time just sitting in the water near the shore. Once he even laid down, but as soon as a wake came by he got up.
I hope I handled it okay. I'm sure, when given the chance, he'll want to get in the water again.
Our friends took the pictures at the lake, so after they send them to me I can post them.
