How to get pups in pool - Page 1

I have 2,  9 month old pups I want to swim more. Have above ground 30 foot round pool, with deck completely around pool. I have to push them in. They swim great but won't jump in on there own. Tried tossing favorite toy-stick anything to no avail. Capri will almost go but stops short and takes off. I was going to try a leash in next, but I thought I would ask for your opinions first. Thanks Pete

It's the sudden drop off into clear water that they don't seem to like.... or at least that's all I've been able to figure out. I have this problem w/even the ones who LOVE to swim; they'll jump into any natural body of water, but there's something about the straight wall of a clear pool; I don't know if it's depth perception or what, but if you had some kind of steps, they'd go right in. Do they use the ladder?

I steer them to the ladder to get out. Capri act's like she wants to. I have a pic of Caleb in Big Rock. Where was that? That's my favorite pic of him, with the log in his mouth. LOL  I agree with the  natural water thing. I couldn't keep Isa out of the Fox River. I took the pups there, but the water really seems to be nasty now days, although I'm sure they don't care. What do you think about leashing in. Seems a bit cruel.   Pete

Yes CLC, all summer I have tried, they come to the edge, but just won't come in. I think a river will be the answer. Love watching dogs in water, they seem sooo happy. I will do the kiddie pool thing though.   Thanks

Yeah, my Caleb is the one I was thinking of; he is a swimming FOOL, but he will not get into a pool that he doesn't have a clear way out of, which fits the description of most above-ground pools, since they don't have stairs built-in. He is fine in an inground pool, but won't get in an above ground unless I tell him to and am in there also.

What kind of egress do you have from the pool? Steps, or a ladder? A ladder is not a good idea, they can't really negotiate that without a lot of practice and they may well panic if they can't readily get out.

I highly recommend you get steps. They can easily get out, then, but they can also sit on them and contemplate this whole pool thing.

Please don't throw them in or drag them in or otherwise force them in or they'll become afraid of water and think it's evil. Also, remember that dogs tend to get out of a body of water at the same plkace they went in. Teach them to come in on the steps. Once they're in, guide them back to the steps and let them clamber out and they'll do it that way after the first time.

Once they know there's an easy way to get out they'll likely jump in off the sides after a toy and you'll soon have diving dogs.

Thanks Aqua, That seems to be the way. I didn't think using a leash or pushing them was the way to go. I picked them up and carried them the first and only time. I can't put stairs in as the pool floor gets deeper as it goes to center. I will take them to a near by river. Will be more fun anyway. Thanks for the advice. Take Care    Pete

I would use an e-collar. Why do you think they're waterproof?

I had this problem with my dog.  He would swim in lakes, race in from the shore, even fly off the dock above the water.  But he wouldn't go in a pool, I think b/c the water is so clear it looks way different.  I starting training him for dock jumping using a lake or a pond.  Then I took him to dock jumping in a pool.  The first time I shoved him in (didn't have to shove hard, he wanted to go in!) and after that he was fine.  He did the competition and earned a title his first competition which was his first time going in the pool.

If you have to shove them in every time....I don't know, maybe try to find a lake instead and get them used to jumping on their own, then go back to the pool?