Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
Teaching A Water Dog To Swim
It's always amusing when someone comments on how I have to give my water dog swimming lessons.
Yeah, it's supposed to come naturally, but Murphy's never seen water. Before this summer, he'd never been in water. I asked the breeder, back when I first got him, and she said by the time he was old enough to swim, it was already too cold to put him in the pool. Before I knew about the river at this particular park, Murphy enjoyed the hose. It was water, but it wasn't something he would swim in. I bought him a baby pool in April and he wanted to splash around in it, but the pool itself scared him. I had to physically lift him up and place him in it. Not only was it a struggle for me (Murph is more than half my weight and he's physically too big and lanky for my arms) but Murphy just stood in the pool, tail tucked, not enjoying himself at all. If he's not having fun in the water, he's not going to want to be in the water, which makes swimming lessons impossible.
Determined to (finally) have the water dog I always wanted, I researched areas where dogs were permitted to go swimming and found this park that edged on a local river. On a hot day, I loaded the dog, drove to the park, and marched him down to the river. Obviously, he spooked at the waves. I had already anticipated his reaction, since he'd never been around lapping water before. Unphased, I sat down with him on the banking, and let him get used to the noise. There were tons of people around with their retriever dogs, and when they saw me sitting there with my frenzied dog, they asked what I was doing. When I told them I was giving my dog his first swimming lesson, I got those bizarre looks. Yes, natural instincts, blah blah blah.
After acclimating Murphy to the sound of water, I started unloading all of the swimming supplies. Knowing how slick Murph could get when he wanted to slip out of something, I had brought our choke collar. Treats were unpacked, as was an old leash that could get dirty, and some water proof sandals, so I wouldn't cut my feet. I hooked him up to the un-shakable collar, slipped off my sandals, and determinedly walked down to the water. He bucked and pulled and generally freaked out...until he was actually in the water. Once he got past the waves, the retriever side of him came out, and it was absolutely the best thing in the world to see. It took him a few minutes to understand that he couldn't walk on the water, and instead had to walk in the water. It was funny, since our Lab mix, at thirteen, still doesn't understand the concept of "doggy paddle".
While it was a big achievement for both me and Murph, I knew that one successful time didn't automatically mean he'd go racing back into the waves. So, repetition. He and I walked in and out of the water for an hour, back and forth, back and forth. Eventually, he got the idea. There was still a little pulling, but since he was on a leash, he had to go where I went. I wasn't scared; "if Mom's not scared, then I'll be OK." It's good to have your dog confront his fears, so he understands that whatever he's scared of, isn't going to hurt him. The waves were noisy, yes, but they weren't going to bite. He had to get past them in order to get to the fun, swimming part.
I wish I could say that since that first time, we've had several very successful water encounters. Unfortunately, I can't. Not because Murphy threw a fit, but because real life hasn't permitted the two of us an opportunity to enjoy the park and all it has to offer. Deciding enough was enough, I rearranged my schedule, so I could finally let Murphy have another swimming lesson.
When we got there, I was nervous he'd freak out like he did the first time, and we'd have to redo all of his initial "water" training. Imagine my surprise when, after an initial hesitation, he bounced right in. I couldn't have been more proud...or shocked. My big, spooks-a-lot pup went bounding into the water, like he was never scared of waves in the first place. So awesome! We had a blast, walking around and working on the doggy paddle. Rules said we couldn't go any deeper than my waist, so he really just walked back and forth in circles around me. Didn't really matter; Murphy had an amazing time.
I'm hoping to get back down to the river one more time before the weather starts to turn. I have to find a place where he can go regularly, next summer. Murphy still has a few issues to work out with his doggy paddle (the muck on the river floor sucks his feet in--he sinks and inhales water, which ruins his desire to go deeper) but I'm not too worried about it. If he can overcome his fear of waves, he can learn something as easy as the doggy paddle.
Yeah, it's supposed to come naturally, but Murphy's never seen water. Before this summer, he'd never been in water. I asked the breeder, back when I first got him, and she said by the time he was old enough to swim, it was already too cold to put him in the pool. Before I knew about the river at this particular park, Murphy enjoyed the hose. It was water, but it wasn't something he would swim in. I bought him a baby pool in April and he wanted to splash around in it, but the pool itself scared him. I had to physically lift him up and place him in it. Not only was it a struggle for me (Murph is more than half my weight and he's physically too big and lanky for my arms) but Murphy just stood in the pool, tail tucked, not enjoying himself at all. If he's not having fun in the water, he's not going to want to be in the water, which makes swimming lessons impossible.
Determined to (finally) have the water dog I always wanted, I researched areas where dogs were permitted to go swimming and found this park that edged on a local river. On a hot day, I loaded the dog, drove to the park, and marched him down to the river. Obviously, he spooked at the waves. I had already anticipated his reaction, since he'd never been around lapping water before. Unphased, I sat down with him on the banking, and let him get used to the noise. There were tons of people around with their retriever dogs, and when they saw me sitting there with my frenzied dog, they asked what I was doing. When I told them I was giving my dog his first swimming lesson, I got those bizarre looks. Yes, natural instincts, blah blah blah.
After acclimating Murphy to the sound of water, I started unloading all of the swimming supplies. Knowing how slick Murph could get when he wanted to slip out of something, I had brought our choke collar. Treats were unpacked, as was an old leash that could get dirty, and some water proof sandals, so I wouldn't cut my feet. I hooked him up to the un-shakable collar, slipped off my sandals, and determinedly walked down to the water. He bucked and pulled and generally freaked out...until he was actually in the water. Once he got past the waves, the retriever side of him came out, and it was absolutely the best thing in the world to see. It took him a few minutes to understand that he couldn't walk on the water, and instead had to walk in the water. It was funny, since our Lab mix, at thirteen, still doesn't understand the concept of "doggy paddle".
While it was a big achievement for both me and Murph, I knew that one successful time didn't automatically mean he'd go racing back into the waves. So, repetition. He and I walked in and out of the water for an hour, back and forth, back and forth. Eventually, he got the idea. There was still a little pulling, but since he was on a leash, he had to go where I went. I wasn't scared; "if Mom's not scared, then I'll be OK." It's good to have your dog confront his fears, so he understands that whatever he's scared of, isn't going to hurt him. The waves were noisy, yes, but they weren't going to bite. He had to get past them in order to get to the fun, swimming part.
I wish I could say that since that first time, we've had several very successful water encounters. Unfortunately, I can't. Not because Murphy threw a fit, but because real life hasn't permitted the two of us an opportunity to enjoy the park and all it has to offer. Deciding enough was enough, I rearranged my schedule, so I could finally let Murphy have another swimming lesson.
When we got there, I was nervous he'd freak out like he did the first time, and we'd have to redo all of his initial "water" training. Imagine my surprise when, after an initial hesitation, he bounced right in. I couldn't have been more proud...or shocked. My big, spooks-a-lot pup went bounding into the water, like he was never scared of waves in the first place. So awesome! We had a blast, walking around and working on the doggy paddle. Rules said we couldn't go any deeper than my waist, so he really just walked back and forth in circles around me. Didn't really matter; Murphy had an amazing time.
I'm hoping to get back down to the river one more time before the weather starts to turn. I have to find a place where he can go regularly, next summer. Murphy still has a few issues to work out with his doggy paddle (the muck on the river floor sucks his feet in--he sinks and inhales water, which ruins his desire to go deeper) but I'm not too worried about it. If he can overcome his fear of waves, he can learn something as easy as the doggy paddle.
Comment
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Comment by Kevin Poole, Penny & Ozzy on September 2, 2009 at 7:15am
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Well done Murphy, and Katie too!
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Comment by Linda,Yankee & Finn on September 1, 2009 at 7:28pm
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Way to go Murphy. You'll be swimming in no time.
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Comment by Karen & Lucy on September 1, 2009 at 6:03pm
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OMGoodness Murphy, what a big step. Lucy still is afraid of the water. Keep up the good work
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Comment by The Berry Oaks Doodle Ranch on September 1, 2009 at 5:16pm
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Good for you, Good for you! Doggy paddle is a good start.
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