[AlexMcG]

How do you get dogs interested in the pool? I have a huge inground pool, but i cant get the dogs to go in. Any ideas?


Pool Video

As you can see inthe video, Keanu, has no problem going near the pool, or even drinking out of it, but he wont get in it.

Note: We're in the middle of painting the house, which has the porch a mess.

 

[RonE]

Most of the real water dogs I've had, which would include all of my last four dogs, were very cautious about jumping into water where the was no obvious exit route. They prefer beaches, where they were introduced to swimming by chasing sticks or tennis balls - first into very shallow water and they (quickly) into greater depths.

Molly, who is a perfectly capable (though ungraceful) swimmer started swimming because she couldn't stand to see Esther having fun without her.

 

[AlexMcG]

My littlest dog, Raylan, he loves water. He'll even get into the shower with me if i leave the door open, its crazy. Keanu, i'v taken in the shallow end of the pool, by the stairs, and even if i'm holding him, he panics as soon as he cant touch.

 

[luv mi pets]

I have a kidde wading pool and a horse tank for my dogs during the summer I had to get two because the kidde pool would get so full the little dogs would stand under the big dogs. A friend brought her two dogs over for a playdate. She informed me her dogs did not like water. by the end of the playdate her dogs were in the pool splashing around with the rest of the dogs. I think it helps the dogs see another dog in the water.

 

[trainingjunkie]

I might be wrong about this, but I think that I would be glad that mine would stay out of the pool. I would think that if an unattended dog went in and tried to get out at the wrong place, they could panic and drown... I could be totally wrong. I am paranoid by nature.

 

[SassyCat]

I'd demonstrate to the dog what he's supposed to do . Also, it takes time for some dogs to get used to it, just like with children.

 

[petpeeve]

Keanu, i'v taken in the shallow end of the pool, by the stairs, and even if i'm holding him, he panics as soon as he cant touch.

"Forcing", so-to-speak, will likely only create a permanent aversion to water, especially if there's panic involved. If you are firm on seeing this through, then confidence and trust will now have to be rebuilt.

Ron E has good advice re: take your dog to a beach, or at least someplace where there is a VERY gradual slope like a brook, stream, or river etc. Allow your dog to go into the water BY HIS OWN FREEWILL. Stand ankle-deep yourself, and encourage your dog to come to you. If and when he does, PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE, then casually leave the water and call it a day. Next outing, go a little deeper. Once confidence is (re)built here, you can then try to transfer it in the same manner to the shallow end/steps at home in the pool.

If after numerous attempts on different days, your dog still won't even go ankle-deep at the beach, then accept the fact that he's strictly a "land lubber". Some dogs just aren't genetically cut out to be swimmers, and if that's the case there's no sense in pursuing it unless there's a real need or a safety issue involved.