Swimming

[pimpgixxer04]

Hey i have a 8 week old red nose and i was wondering...how do i get him used to the water?? is there any particular way to do it?? if so let me know please..

[LadyRampage]

I'd like an answer to this one myself.. We have some that love the water, and others that will hurt themselves to stay dry..lol Never have figured out how to get them to love it if they don't..

Did have one, years ago, that would dive down 4-5 feet to get whatever you told her too. lol She would almost drown herself to stay out swimming with you..lol

[14rock]

Lol, my girlfriends dog was the same way (1/2 pit 1/2 rott mutt) and she HATED the water. Then one day I took her walking alone and we sat by the water and I started playing with sticks with her playing tug of war and fetch, and soon she would go toes into the water and jump up. So I worked it slow and pulled the pants up and stood about knee deep and calmly called her while throwing toys just a few feet from me. She was cautious at first but soon enough she got used to it and leapt in after anything. This was in one day. She would of loved to stay and play but it was about 40 degrees out and we were both wet :D . I'd say just slowly work up to it, congratulate him when he goes in, dont act mad if he doesnt and be expecting to get wet! Good luck.

[miakoda]

patience, my dear, patience. start small & make it fun!

[The Watcher]

Any Ideas?
Im working on making a "water treadmill." So far I have one those large horse troughs with the top attachments to a regular treadmill harness mounted on top to suspend my dog in the water. With a trolling motor in the front for alittle current, my dogs swim freely. Well some of them..lol. Looking to make improvements, possibly a larger tank and a welder... Any I deas?

[14rock]

good idea Fifty!

[mikeclavenna]

we take ours to a creek, she can see the bottom and she gets braver each time, toss a ball into the water, maybe yours will go after it, each time throw it a little farther out. i use a floating ball

[IRISH]

i dont understand the reasoning for making it a water mill why dont you just use a regular old take or creek or ocean? just curious not bashing

[14rock]

Chevy, I believe its for all-year round. I know here we can only let them swim for maybe 7 months before it gets too cold.

[IRISH]

im sorry im retarded i read it wrong shoot me lol

[miakoda]

as for getting them used to water, the small baby pools you get at wal-mart (for approx.$6-10) are great. i just fill 'em up & let the dog approach on it's on. i'll stand in it to show the pup it's ok, toss a toy into it, whatever. just let your pup investigate & make up it's own mind. my older brother made the mistake of taking his black lab & placing her into a shallow pond without letting get used to it, or even water in general, when she was a pup. she's now 10 yrs old & hates water! by playing & encouraging play, it reassures your pup that everything will be allright.

[The Watcher]

i dont understand the reasoning for making it a water mill why dont you just use a regular old take or creek or ocean? just curious not bashing
the reason being the same for one owning a reg. treadmill as opposed to running/biking with your dogs. ps-And I do use a pond on my property..daily.
www.game-dog.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=1742&c=3&userid=1721 (http://www.game-dog.com/gallery/showimage.php?i=1742&c=3&userid=1721)

[Irish_Deciple]

Ive always used somthing the dog is fond of like a ball or a toy of theres. Like stated before, just throwing it further out each time is efective. Also if you have a good old dog that likes water then the younger ones will soon follow him/her in (permiting they can get along)

[GD2]

When U Give Him A Bath Make It Fun. When I Frist Started Giving Gremlin Baths He Hated It But Then I Took Some Toys In Splashed Around And Made It Fun. He Loves The Water If There Is Water Hes Getting In It. Do Not Push Them Let Them Do It On There Own If U Take Them To A Lake Or Stream Let Them Get In On There Own.

[SteveC]

Hey Fifty, quick question for you or anyone that can advise. I also have been trying to construct a swim tank, with no treadmill. I keep having the problem of the dog grabbing the sides. My tank is 36" inches wide 24" deep = 150 gal. Is there a certain hieght you've had luck with the top rail, and are you attaching to a collar or road harness? Do I need to go with a bigger tank possibly? Any advice would be helpful or some pics.
Thanx in advance.

[PorsA]

I know that racedog people use these swimmingtanks for prepairing their greyhound for the race.

[PitbullLover]

I agree with mia, my male, when he was a puppy, I started him with a plastic baby pool just for cooling down in the summer. He was timid at first but now you can't get him out of the water! He loves to grab the hose filling up the pool and chase you around with it! Also I take him to pet friendly beaches and let him do his own thing (on a leash of course). He loves going into the water and we both have fun swimming at the beach!