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Teaching A Puppy To Swim
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Mike, in your video clip of Lyka, you show a pic of here trying to climb into a plastic pool. That's a great place to start. Put just an inch or two of water in there and toss in her fav toys (You may be to big for the pool 
) I would also put something in there that would make it easy to climb in and out. Right now it's just about associating the water with fun and not necesarily seeing if she'll swim.
You might also see how she reacts to a trickle of water from a garden hose.
My GSD pup swam for the first time at 12 wks old. He saw my buddy toss a stick in a pond for his golden Retrieve and just followed him in.
Some take to it naturally. Some need slow introductions. Personelly, I'm not a big fan of the \"Toss em in and let em learn\" idea. It may work. It may not, but I see no reason to put stress on a young pup. Keep their confidence up ALWAYS!
Be careful of to much chlorine in the pools. It can be rough on puppy eyes and coat. Of course, since your in Florida , watch out for the gators in ponds also.
Don't even talk to us about a day at the beach. :evil: :lol: :lol: :lol: :wink:
) I would also put something in there that would make it easy to climb in and out. Right now it's just about associating the water with fun and not necesarily seeing if she'll swim. You might also see how she reacts to a trickle of water from a garden hose.
My GSD pup swam for the first time at 12 wks old. He saw my buddy toss a stick in a pond for his golden Retrieve and just followed him in.
Some take to it naturally. Some need slow introductions. Personelly, I'm not a big fan of the \"Toss em in and let em learn\" idea. It may work. It may not, but I see no reason to put stress on a young pup. Keep their confidence up ALWAYS!
Be careful of to much chlorine in the pools. It can be rough on puppy eyes and coat. Of course, since your in Florida
, watch out for the gators in ponds also. Don't even talk to us about a day at the beach. :evil: :lol: :lol: :lol: :wink:
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Mike, you'll notice that pups have that \"following\" instinct, and follows you wherever you go. That becomes ideal when you lead pups the first time in various terrain and eventually a body of water. here's some pics of pups swimming, FIRST TIME...
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Best regards...
Best regards...
And speaking of that \"following\" instinct:Jose Alberto Reanto said:
One of my granddogs, Tilly, a BT, wandered onto the deck one day and saw that several of the humans were lounging in the pool below her. She hopped up onto the deck railing and jumped into the middle of them.
She was a puppy then. This pool has a barrier all around, so never did anyone consider it to be an \"attractive nuisance\" and a danger to the dogs....no one ever expected a high dive off the deck.
Fun was happening without her, and that was not acceptable to her!
They were shocked to have a puppy suddenly splash into their midst.
Connie Sutherland said:And speaking of that \"following\" instinct:
One of my granddogs, Tilly, a BT, wandered onto the deck one day and saw that several of the humans were lounging in the pool below her. She hopped up onto the deck railing and jumped into the middle of them.
She was a puppy then. This pool has a barrier all around, so never did anyone consider it to be an \"attractive nuisance\" and a danger to the dogs....no one ever expected a high dive off the deck.
Fun was happening without her, and that was not acceptable to her!
They were shocked to have a puppy suddenly splash into their midst.
That could have been fun to watch, Connie....
Yes, and proving once again what Bob Scott says about the disregard for personal safety that Border Terriers have! It was her brother who refused to back down from a purcupine despite a face full of quills. (He's OK.)Jose Alberto Reanto said:....
I don't know if you were saying this humorously or not, but it's not true. Some dogs can't swim, period. Ever. No matter how much time and effort you put into trying to teach them. Even with a doggie life vest that's supposed to hold them up horizontally in the water.
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Dogs have the ability to swim; however, they can panic and drown like a person can, but they do have the natural ability to swim. I have seen dogs panic for whatever reason and slap at the water uselessly.
My Chi had never been swimming before and I picked him up to plop him in the water, and he started paddling while I was still holding him about a foot away from the water. I'd say that's a natural ability. (AND just about the cutest freakin' thing I'd ever seen!)
My Chi had never been swimming before and I picked him up to plop him in the water, and he started paddling while I was still holding him about a foot away from the water. I'd say that's a natural ability.
(AND just about the cutest freakin' thing I'd ever seen!)
My first Border Terrier's first attemt at swimming was going after a flock of geese. Rags was about 12-14wks old. He ran into the water and proceeded to swim out to the geese, One of the geese turned on him, pecked his head and proceeded to climb on top of rags. I started throwing rocks to chase off the geese. Rags came up spitting and coughing and STILL headed after the geese AGAIN . Luckily the geese took to wing this time and I was able to call Rags back.
. Luckily the geese took to wing this time and I was able to call Rags back.I just took my pup to the beach and the first time let her see the water and paddle in it, but didnt encourage her to go in. She kept going back to see the water and kept sticking her nose in. The second time I took her ball and played with it near the water edge. Third time she was in up to her middle and running through the water like an idiot :lol: As long as there is not too much pressure and you keep them interested most will go back to look. Sure thing that does help that has been mentioned here, is to have an older dog that loves to swim to go too. Usually they are like sheep, one goes in the other follows.
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