Swimming -flat back

[Thehallk]

I feel like I've read some threads about training/correcting so that the back is flat when a newf swims but I can't find them. I think i'm an inefficient post-searcher. Last summer when I took Gilly swimming her back stayed mostly flat and didn't get very wet; this year she's at such a steep angle that she's practically standing (she was also really bad at ingesting the water last year and this year she's doing a better job of letting the water flow through her jowls instead of inhaling it). She only went swimming a few times from fall to spring, so maybe it's just that her swimming muscles have deteriorated and as she gains more strength she'll go flat again? Or maybe her butt just got bigger...

When I took her yesterday I followed her around holding her bum up becuase I actually started to wonder if she really was just walking on the bottom of the lake and paddling on top.

Maybe it doesn't really matter? Any tips?

 

[Bucephalus]

We've noticed the same thing with Bo. I don't have any answers, but I'll be watching to see what others say! We just keep sticking a life jacket on him...

 

[DeJ]

I have no advice, Haddley has always swam straight. My daughter's boxer swims like he is standing. We bought him a float coat. In his case tho, boxers usually don't swim, they sink. He, however, loves the water so we had to do something to keep him up. But it might work for Gilly to teach her to keep straight.

 

[new_2_newf]

Sulley's butt JUST started floating this summer...it's always sank before. I don't know if it has to do with muscle development or his full adult coat being in and a decent length now, but he does float and his coat spreads out around his behind like a buffer. He still prefers his life jacket, and to be honest I'm totally good with that when we are swimming in the great lakes, but he's not panicked now when he swims which is SO nice.