Should I or shouldn't I?

[KAHLUA]

One of the things I love to do since joining DK is look at all the photos of all the different doodles.  ALWAYS brings a smile to my face. 

 

We have an inground pool, which is covered by a safety cover during the winter months.  Kahula will walk on the cover in the fall and let the water get to her belly and appears to like the water.  During the winter months she does get on the cover, but the water has disipated a bit and she doesn't get as much water on herself as she does during the Fall and Spring. 

 

We take the pool cover off about mid-May depending on the weather.  Once the cover comes off she will not go near the water, I don't care how hot it is, she will absolutely not go near the water.  I see so  many pictures of doodles in the water, on a boat, in the ocean, in the lake, playing in the sprinkler, you name it so I'm thinking that Kahula may just be afraid of the water.

 

So should I try and get her used to swimming?  Maybe bring her in the shallow end and kinda get her used to swimming?  I think she may end up acutally liking it, as is evidence by her "kin".  Our shallow end is 4 feet and standing up on her hind lefts she's almost 5 feet, plus we have stepstairs vs. ladder stairs so it would be easy for her to come in and out. 

 

What you do all think?

 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

We don't have a pool, but we take our dogs to the lake. Vern is like a fish. Fudge, not so much. She doesn't like to get her head wet. She does so much better when we put a life jacket on her. Also, if you know another dog that swims...sometimes just seeing another dog in the water could do the trick.

[Dori & Rua]

I am so envious..you have a pool.  We'll be right over and Rua will show Kahlua how it is done.  I knew Rua liked water, but wasn't sure if she could swim.  A week ago Sunday a local pool was closing for the season and opened it up for dogs so we went.  I got in the pool (it was probably 4' where I was).  My DH stood with Rua on the edge holding her.  She is really a Momma's girl and wanted to be near me, so he gently lowered her to the water.  I placed my hands under her belly and started walking...she started paddling.  The rest was history.  We went to another pool closing out for the season this past Sunday and worked on jumping in.  I made her stand at the edge of the pool...told her "wait" and I backed up until I was 15' away.  I gave her "OK" (her release word) and in she would jump.  DH said she was jumping at least 6'.  I so want a pool!

[Suzanne & Jack]

We're going to a pool closing this weekend.  I'm hoping Jack will be brave and get in.  Last year we went to one and he actually jumped in.  I've tried getting him in my parents pool and he wants no part.  I think seeing other dogs in the water definitely helps.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I would give it a shot but don't nake her go. I would really invest in a lifejacket/vest for her first to help her out.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

I would!!  Rosey loves to swim and it's good exercise!  I would start slow and get a life jacket or get her a float!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Darwin was hesitant to get in the water for a while. We just went in ourselves, then encouraged him to follow us in. He slowly got the hang of it and now he LOVES water!

[Bryce P]

I say let her try it.

[Meridith and Lola]

Lola absolutely loves the water if it is a beach or lake or a bay. but she is very hesitant to go in a pool. If you can get to another body of water - try throwing something for Kahlua to fetch and see if she goes for it. Lola barely fetches on land but in the water she is amazing.

[Heather & Brinkley]

Our trainer told us for like an hour before you want her to go in give her a tennis ball/toy/something they REALLY like.  Give it... take it away.... give it... take it away... show it but don't give it.  Make them really want the toy.  Then, throw it in the pool when the want level is really high and make her go after it.  They also said panic will strike, but make them calm down in the pool.  You can hold onto them (if them have a life jacket) and make them calm down.  If you let them out while the panic level is high, that's what they'll remember and think pool=bad.  Our doggie day care has a pool and they've been working with Brinkley with pool swimming. He loves to swim but the pool has been a different story.  SHe said sometimes that's the case b/c they can't touch the bottom and it worries them. Good luck.

[KAHLUA]

Thanks everyone for your feedback.  I was going to try and get her in the pool this weekend, but wouldn't you know it, it looks like it's going to rain, I was hoping for a hot day, take her for a walk, then try to get her in.  Maybe she would equate being hot and then getting in the water as a way to cool down.  Will keep you all posted.