swimming pool

[kastle]

Now that the weather is better and our pool is open and clean, I'd like to get Lucy in it. I'm not sure how to get her in. She loves the ocean and lakes but she is so afraid to get into the pool. She'll put her front paws on the first step and won't go any further. You can tell she really wants to go in and she paws at the water but she won't take the next step down. I seem to think it's because she can't really see the next step so she doesn't know how far down it is. I put a toy on the next step so she could see it but that didn't get to budge. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm planning on getting her a float coat but I can't seem to find her size in stock anywhere. I'll have to order one.

 

[charlieinnj]

How old is Lucy? I do think a life jacket will definitely help.

 

[CMDRTED]

Have you tried getting in, and luring her with a SUPER-DUPER Great Treat? Is it an inground or raised pool?

 

[kastle]

Lucy is almost 16 months old. We have an inground pool. We've tried just about everything to get her in. My daughter is the only one brave enough to get in the pool right now seeing as though the water is so cold. She tried toys, treats and sprays of water to get her in yesterday. You could tell Lucy really wanted to get in but she was just so unsure of where exactly the bottom of the pool was. She'll run right into a lake or ocean and start swimming but she just will not take that second step into the pool. I'm almost thinking about trying to rig up a ramp or something.

 

[NinaA]

We've had some that liked the pool and some that didn't. If you think she's unsure of the steps, try putting some sand in the tread on the steps so she can see them. Usually, people in the pool playing and having fun is enough to entice them. I would suggest you use skimmer liners if she does get in. It saves the filter from getting clogged.

 

[NessaM]

Well, we picked our guys up and walked into the pool with them, set them down with our arms still under them until they started swimming, and then with our arms under them guided them to the steps.

Rinse and repeat until they get the idea. Once they get the notion of walking UP the steps, they seemed to understand that they could also walk DOWN the steps.

Since your girl is 16 months and probably a lot bigger than our guys were when we first did this, if you would like to try this method, then you will need a strong human man to lift her and carry her in.

 

[Goofy Newfy]

We have the exact opposite, can't keep our Newf out of it and had to put a gate up. Our pool has a liner and we are afraid that he will rip it as the pool is only 4' deep. : )

 

[dukeandbruno]

I have a similar issue with one of our newfs. He just will not get into the pool only on a rare occassion. I live in the south and that rare occassion is when he gets really hot. Once he is in, he seems to enjoy it. Our other newf is just the opposite. We can hardly keep him out of it. He gets in and out and will spend the whole day in the pool with us, even if just sitting on one of the ledges. We have tried everything, including placing his front feet in to get him past the first hurdle. We can't take them to the nearby lakes as they are full of alligators.

 

[hanna2]

Maybe if you can have a Newfie that will swim in the pool ... she will follow..?

 

[CMDRTED]

There are some really good Dog Pool Ramps on the market. Maybe one of those can help with in and out issues.