Teaching a doodle (or any dog) to swim

[Marie and Hoka]

For whatever reason, or previous dogs would never swim.

I am hoping to teach my 6 month old Hoka to swim this sumer.  We will be going up to a lake in the Upper Peninsula for a few days in June and I hope to get him swimming.  Hoka is generally pretty bold and fearless.  I expect the water to be a bit cold, so I even bought a shorty wetsuit for myself so I can encourage him.

Any tips or tricks? There is a doggie life vest at the house and he does need to remain leashed at all times. I will bring a long lead.

[Marie and Hoka]

I'm super stoked to try this!  I am just getting the cheap board from Costco, so hopefully we can try.  The cheap paddle-board has good reviews for stability and I am not a big person. My wet-suit is on the way! Every year we go in mid-June and every year the lake is still too cold for me to want to swim. I am hoping the wet-suit makes a difference.

It is a small lake and there are no other people or boats there. I am glad they already have a doggie life-vest at the house.  There is thick forest surrounding the lake, so we still need a line on him all the time.  It borders national forest and he could run for many miles in thick forest if he got away. 

[Jordan & Daisy]

Marie I can't wait to hear how it goes!! Keep us posted.

I was wondering about Daisy swimming too but a few weeks ago we were at a park that had a small pond.. there were 2 labs playing in the water and Daisy wanted to play so badly that she jumped right in - HEAD-FIRST lol!!! She didn't pop back up for a few seconds and I was panicking!!!!!!!!!!!!!  But when she came to the surface, she started paddling around like a pro. It was hilarious, my hubby and I couldn't believe it. We always laugh because she is so fearless, she isn't afraid of anything- people, animals, noises. She just goes right for it!! Is Hoka this way too? Funny pups they are. 

[Marie and Hoka]

I am hoping that's how it goes!  He is fearless generally, which is so nice.  I put up my kids baby pool over the weekend and at least have him fetching his ball in a few inches of water.   He is obsessed with "fetch", so I am hoping he will go in for the ball at the lake.

Here's hoping!!! I so wish Hoka and Dasiy could play... they seem like 2 peas in a pod.

[Jordan & Daisy]

Haha Daisy is so obsessed with fetch, too! 

I really wish they could get together too, such a bummer we are so far. :(