Swimming class

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Just signed Yogi up for an intermediate puppy/swimming class!
I'm so excited to get him in a pool. It's freezing here like so much of
the country, so this sounds like fun.

We keep our boat down on the lake, so I really want him to enjoy the water
and be comfortable in it. I was afraid by the time it's warm enough to get in the lake this summer,
he'll be 9 months old and maybe not as easily acclimated to it.

Anyone try this type of training? They also offer dock diving and agility training. I hope he
Likes it!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yep. Ro, stick your fingers in between those toes.  I'm betting you and all paid trip to San Diego, Enzo's feet are webbed.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

LOL...do all Poodles have webbed feet? You are right Joanne ( start packing?), there is "something "there, way down below,, by the pad...but they are definitely different from Dylan's, our now passed, Golden. His were like ducks!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Should be a thin piece of Skin.

BTW, Poodles are water dogs, hunting companions, retrievers, sporting dogs... .  First bred to swim out to capture and flush out  waterfowl  :)

That awful hair cut was done because they are swimmers 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2004/02/w...

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Interesting article! I always thought someone had a weird sense of humor! ;)

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

This is off the Internet...Dylan's feet looked closer to this:


Enzo's aren't even close

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

LOL.....no duck feet here! Quack, quack.. ;)

[Christy&Riley]

That's amazing about the golden.

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

Hi Ro, Do you have any information on the risks of dock jumping or jumping in pools? I have started researching it but I see a lot about the sport of Dock Jumping but nowhere do I read about the risks. I would really like to know what the risks are, I am not questioning you, I am asking for advice so that I don't cause harm to my dog. This is new to me, so if you have a resource of information on this I would love to educate myself and others who have doodles and come and jump and frolic in our pool. Thanks for any info. you can provide.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I havent found any literature, Sue. I did find one forum that discussed this subject briefly, but the responses were just opinions and I found them...  not so great.

http://www.lab-retriever.net/board/sporting-dogs/7348285-dock-divin...

I think off the side of the pool is just find. My opinion of course, but I'm thinking in practicality.    I just go by my dog's cues.  He loves the low jump but not so much the level of height that dock divers jump.

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

Thank you Joanne.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Hi Sue..sorry! I do not have any bookmarked and cannot find anything directly related. I will keep looking tho! This gentleman, in training his dog, and starting at a very young age, had his puppy jumping from docks and boats over and over again. I remember the Vet comparing it to a dog jumping down from a truck or SUV...over and over, only worse. The jarring effect on the spine, from the impact of the water, is not good on young growing spines and bones. At the age of 3, the dog suffered from Spinal injuries and pains. It was very sad, because at that very young age, he could barely walk, without extreme pain.