to swim or not to swim? - Page 1

We recently bought a home with a 16X32 inground swimming pool.  We had wondered how our 2 GSDs would react to the water and hoped they'd learn to swim and play with us in the pool but Cochise, our 2 yr old boy, will only go as far as the first step and Cheyenne, our 6 month old baby girl doesn't seem interested in the water at all.  We would never EVER force them or  trick them into the pool but all attempts at coaxing them to join us with toys and by happy splashing examples have failed.  If they never swim with us, that's ok but I was just wondering if there's a way to spark their interest in the water that we haven't thought about yet.  Where we live is wickedly hot this time of year and an evening swim seems like a delightful way to get cool. 

Any ideas?

Thanks!

I'd take them to a river first where they can go in without fear of plunging.  Not to many dogs will go from land to swimming first time, they like to experience getting their feet wet first.

Both of my dogs are now swimming like fish.  The male literally jumps in, he'd do the pool thing, but he started out slowly.  My female doesn't love water quite as much as him ( hard to match his enthusiasm!)  but she does really well now.

I'm assuming your pool doesn't have a walk in shallow area, if it does, disregard that part of my post.

I'm also wondering if there is chlorine in your pool which may turn them off? 

Thanks, Red Sable.  The chlorine is fine; even a little low.  Both my dogs have been to rivers and lakes and, while they didn't swim, they liked to splash.  Maybe it's the steps into the pool?  Not sure but we're not gonna worry.  When it's time, they'll swim.  Or not.  thanks for your interest and response!

I had the same problem with my GSD's and the pool - they love the water but seemed to be afraid of the plunge like Red Sable said - I put each one on a lead and lead them into the pool from the shallow end - slowly at first and I walked beide them as I guided them around the shallow end and back to the stairs - just stay clear of those feet - - - after doing this several times with each dog I started to place a command with the entering of the pool - - CANNON BALL - - and a command for getting out of the pool - - DRY OFF - - and now both dogs will go in the pool from any location (they prefer the stairs) they swim around for awhile and then get out at the stairs - - I think they are more afraid of not beng able to get out than of the pool itself - - our female likes to sit on the stairs with just her head out of the water!!  BE CAREFUL during really hot days don't let them in the pool for short periods - they don;t really cool of and they could trap more heat the they expell. 

We forced ours, held them in our arms in the water until they relaxed then let then swim to the steps, every day for a few weeks.

Once they learned where the steps are and how easy it is to get out, they started doing it on thier own, Hero now takes a running leap into the water any time we throw a floating toy..... he will do it 24/7 if we let him. Sita loves to swim with us, and prefers to hang around by the steps. Hanny goes in and does laps on her own. Jyota is comfortable being held, but prefers not swim much yet, but we're just starting her. She doesn't swim to the stairs yet. She will sit on the deck with her front legs in the water and dunk her head in up to her ears and blow bubbles.....funny to watch!

SitasMom - seems to further illustrate that it may not be a fear of getting in the water but of getting out of that big pool!!  Patience and a firm kind hand seem to be the key in getting them to relax, trust and then enjoy the pleasures of the pool!!

then once you get all of that done - try switching over toa salt generator vs chorline - the coat are nice and smooth and small bites or scratches are healed quickly in the salt water pool.  I have had club members bring their dogs over and notice a difference in one swim!!

Impossible to rince them each time, the are in the pool so many times a day.

Bear loves it. Started by just letting him paddle then threw in a stick in one day and he went bolting in after it. Now he won't even wait for the stick. swims every second he gets the chance. absolutely loves it. better swimmer than me my a mile.