How to get pups in pool - Page 2

Mix them a drink. Liquid courage gets me to do what I normally wouldn't.

Nobody's reading what Pete really wrote. They swim just fine once they're in; it's just the lack of means to get in and out that they don't seem to like (and I've had several who were the same way in above ground pools). It's not that they're afraid of the water, per se...they go in any natural body, it's just the straight wall of an above ground pool that seems to deter them.

Chaz, I don't mean you. I think that's an excellent idea, as it also overrides common sense; who cares if you can't get out? F it! LOL

Jenni, I grew up on water and all the dogs loved to swim. We didn't have a sandy, walk in beach, but a seawall. As kids, we didn't have stairs from the dock to the water. The dogs quickly learned to jump in. They would pace and whine and eventually come in with a little encouragement or like someone else said, a little nudge. After the first time, it was done. I don't know if it is worse with a pool, but most dogs don't like the idea of jumping in and going under at first. Now my parents have stairs into the lake and I had to teach their dog.to jump in.

But was the water totally clear so they could see the vertical drop of the wall? I don't know for sure, of course, but that's all I can figure out because several of mine are water NUTS, and won't jump in that situation, but frequently dive off of boulders into natural bodies of water.  They will use steps in a pool, yet jump off of anything into a natural body of water.

I'm a big meanie and have no problem shoving them in. I wouldn't keep a dog that was so much of a wuss as to be bothered by that for any length of time. Pete is a much, much nicer person than I. I'm tempted to drive over there and shove them in myself, LOL.

Hi Pete,

There are a variety of AGP steps available with a relatively small foot print which might work for your sloping bottom pool. One (somehwat pricey) option is here. There are many other models suitable for your setup.

We have an oval AGP with a surrounding deck level with the top cap. Our steps are the wedding cake style. They've served well for 7 years, taking an intense beating from GSDs using them as jumping off points.

I think that once your dogs have a secure way to exit the pool you won't be able to keep them out of it.

Sorry, I interpreted the original post as there is a deck around the above ground pool level with the pool (what I'd pictured in my mind) so the pool would look the same to the dog as an in-ground pool or other body of water rather than seeing a wall with water on the other side.  If they have to climb up and over, yeah they will need to be shown how to get in/out and practice that.  Like at dock diving events, the pool is raised and before we are allowed to even attempt a jump off the platform the dog must show he can go into the pool, swim around, and get back out using the exit ramp.  We just lead them up on a short lead (NOT letting them bail or jump off b/c it's over the human's head), then toss their toy out ahead into the water, let them fetch it, then grab the lead again and help them climb back out and do this a few times before having them jump off the platform.

Wow Aqua, That's nice. And it just happens my son work's for  "In The Swim". I'll get my price later today. I was thinking of building something like that. Thank you, and Jen, Come shove them
in. LOL     Pete