doodles swimming in pools

[Charlie De Gregorio]

My 2 Doodles will not go swimming in are pool? yet if the go to the beach a lake they dont get enough of it can't figure it out.  Hs anyone else ever had this problem.  I could force them in but then that will make fear the pool more. 

[Denice Caouette]

When they are in the lake, river...etc. they can most of the time walk or run in...but it is gradual. In a pool they have no depth perception, so they are hesitant about "stepping into nothing"...My Sabrina doesn't much care, but my Coco is more hesitant to jump in a pool. They love the lake and the ocean..and will get in the pool, but have to get so they feel comfortable with the pool. We taught Coco when she was about 5 months and she still will generally just stay on the steps, unless we are in the pool. Then we can throw her pool toys and she feels safe, because we are there. It was a process of gaining her trust. Sabrina just will go anywhere that is water! If you can coax then in when you are in...I sometimes cradle them in my arms and walk around the pool with them..maybe try that to start! Good luck!

[Charlie De Gregorio]

There are no problems at lakes or ocean rivers just pools.  I can coax Mandy the female in but she will get right out  and Banjo the male will not even come over by the stairs if i call him cause he knows that I am going to try and put him in. 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Do they go into the water and swim at the ocean? I have one doodle who isn't very fond of the pool. We have a Baja step that is the width of the pool and about 6 ft wide, only 18 in deep. She will go onto that and we coax her in off the step and let her turn right around and swim back to the step. We go further and further away from the Baja step gradually until she is swimming the length of the pool without seeming anxious. It's been a year and she still won't jump in on her own and only stays on the step. Do you have steps they can sit on and you can carry one in, hold him and just walk around til they feel relaxed and want to swim? We had to do that with our other dog in the ocean, which was strange because he is a total water dog.

[Charlie De Gregorio]

Yes they do go into the ocean and lakes but wont go into the pool. we tryed to get them to go in by the stairs.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

I think it is pretty common....at the beach/ lake, they can wade in...and more importantly, touch bottom. In a pool, once they are off the step...makes no difference to them if it is 10 feet deep or 3 feet, the bottom has disappeared for them.
Also...many dogs don't like the scent of the chemicals used. Remember, their sense of smell is many times stronger than ours.

All of our dogs have always lived the pool. Some wandered down the stairs and some have just leaped in. But they have all been taught where the stairs are and how to get out. Which is of the utmost importance.