Water training/rescue anxiety question

[Thehallk]

For those that do water training- does this help with rescue "anxiety"? Gilly has FUN swimming with other dogs and doesn't even pay attention to the people swimming. But if no dogs are around she seems very anxious to just rescue. Especially with kids. Took my nieces and nephews swimming with her and it was clearly difficult for her - she couldn't decide which one to save and kept going back and forth. I tried to take her home so she wouldnt have to stress (leaving kids at the lake with Mark) but she was freaking out as I tried to lead her away. I've never seen her that upset or determined. Had to get the kids out of the water to escort us back home. With just me and her she will continually come out to save me and since it's good exercise I just keep going in and out. It'll be awhile until I could pursue a proper group, but I wondered if training would help her control her rescue instincts and make her more comfortable with letting kids/people swim without her trying to "rescue" them constantly. I should clarify that since she has no formal training, if theres no rope for her to grab/pull with her moutj once she gets to the kids (or me) she's more likely to drown them than save them because she will paw at them and climb on them. It's all so confusing for her, not knowing how to use her instincts!

 

[Thehallk]

Alternatively, is she destined to stay home when humans go swimming to avoid what is clearly stressful for her?

 

[Cascadians]

Harness that great natural instinct and energy and teach her how to rescue! A Newf needs to keep swimming so teach her to swim "Around" behind a person and then head to shore. Bring a bumper with rope so a kid can grab the rope and get a free ride to shore.

Join your nearest Newf Club that does waterwork and learn the steps, train with others, so much fun and very good for your Newf and family.

 

[Angela]

Here you go!

Water Rescue Training

Date: Every Saturday Morning
When: Starting Sat. June 2nd
Location: Worthington Rd, Shawnigan Lake
Additional Info: If interested in participating please advise contact person
Volunteers Needed: Yes
Contact: Doug Savory
Email: dcsavory@shaw.ca

 

[Thehallk]

Here you go!

Water Rescue Training

Date: Every Saturday Morning
When: Starting Sat. June 2nd
Location: Worthington Rd, Shawnigan Lake
Additional Info: If interested in participating please advise contact person
Volunteers Needed: Yes
Contact: Doug Savory
Email: dcsavory@shaw.ca

haha, thanks Angela! I've actually been once to watch, it's quite close to my house, and I think Gilly would do amazing with it! I just don't anticipate having time to do it with a new baby coming in the next two weeks - at least not until next summer. I was mostly curious if it helps or if she will always have that drive/anxiety/stress when people are in the water?

 

[Thehallk]

Harness that great natural instinct and energy and teach her how to rescue! A Newf needs to keep swimming so teach her to swim "Around" behind a person and then head to shore. Bring a bumper with rope so a kid can grab the rope and get a free ride to shore.

Join your nearest Newf Club that does waterwork and learn the steps, train with others, so much fun and very good for your Newf and family.

Too true, Leska! I have a water boomerang she could grab, but the only thing she seems to think does the trick is a rope...I might have to get a bumper and teach her which end is the one she's supposed to grab.

 

[Angela]

They were bred to rescue people in the water!!!!!
Most Newfs I have had will herd anyone out of the water, they think everyone is drowning, especially kids who are shrieking with laughter.

 

[AngusMcDubhsMom]

Sounds like completely natural instincts at work. Think you've got a go-getter there. Try and get hooked up with some folks who are training and they'll help you channel those instincts. She sounds as if she'd be an awesome water dog. Since you've a new baby coming soon is there any chance maybe your husband would be willing to work with her in the water?

edited to add that when I've taken Gracie to the lake and she starts herding kids I show the kids how to hold onto her fur in the back and float free and she will tow them to shore. That way she's "Saving" them and they're getting a free ride. ;0) The kids love it.

 

[Capri]

I agree with the others: harness her natural talent into some basic skills that you can already start teaching her at home when you take her out with the kids. Giving her an opportunity to do what she naturally does, she is likely to learn quite quickly when it's appropriate for her to go into the water (when you're training her) vs. when she shouldn't be in (not training her).

We have a summer cottage by the lake and our dogs do understand (instinctively?) that when we're just swimming they're not allowed to come swim with us unless we ask them to join. Normally they'd just keep an eye on us from the dock or the beach. When we're not in the water they do go in for a swim every hour (just for fun on their own) and they always super-excited when we start training them in the water with us swimming.

Telling the dogs that they're not needed in the water is important (safety!), but it also does not hinder their want/eagerness if they don't get to go in every time as long as it's not an absolute yelling-no-making it unpleasant Every Time, so rather than punishing her for going in, make sure the dog doesn't get into a situation where punishment for going in the water is necessary i.e. for example tie her to a tree when you don't want her to go in rather than keeping her off lead and yelling "no" if/when she decides to go in. It is a good idea to do some trainings first so that she gets tired before you leave her on the side just to watch.

 

[AngusMcDubhsMom]

just wanted to add to Capri's mention of how the dog might see being tied up as punishment. When folks in our water training group are taking turns in the water, working with dogs, the other dogs are watching from their crates, so it's more of a "rest" time for them. Not that there isn't some complaining woofing from that direction sometimes. LOL

 

[marylouz]

My girls always liked having a surf mat or boogie board with a bumper attached kids would paddle out, dog swims out and gives kids a tow ride back. I would teach her swimming around and off people so she does not do a lot of pawing a heads and shoulders and dunking people.

 

[CMDRTED]

Yup, yup, make the kids part of the training, let them participate