Anyone with advice on a pup that doesn't want to swim.

[Melanie Brazier]

Hi guys, our Rielly is going to be 7months in just a few days. My inlaws have a great pool that is cement so Rielly can enjoy as he pleases. So of course because we would love to play with a "water dog" he wants nothing to do with. I even bought him a little baby pool for our house to start him a little smaller. No luck there.

Do you think this may change? Not a big deal if he doesn't, but any advice would be great. Thanks

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Not all dogs love the water. The worst thing you can do, is to force him or drag him in. Make the event FUN... You can try to coax him in with a toy or treat. Or kids! Most dogs can't resist a bunch of kids playing in a pool. But if he really doesn't like it, nothing you can do will change his mind.
Had a friend who had a Golden and someone pushed him in......he sank like a rock, actually almost drowned...but he would never even go near another pool or water again.
Also...most dogs don't like the idea of the bottom dropping out from underneath them...as in a full size pool. Dogs are much more inclined to make their way in at a river or lake side...or the kiddie pool. It takes practice for them to learn to swim smoothly. They will doggie paddle and splash awkwardly the first few times and eventually learn the smooth calm strokes.

[Helga, Nimbus, Sierra, Clooney]

My guys both fell in the pool right after we got them. Nimbus was scared of it ever since but went into the ocean or a lake with a flat entry. Sierra loved the water and would jump onto our pool float and just take a ride. Until she fell in. Nimbus can now be coaxed into the pool and even swims for a ball . He is 2. Sierra is also getting better, sometimes she even puts all 4 feet on the first step. She is almost 1.
So yes, it can change. But my neighbor's lab, who is 9 won't go past the first step. She does go in the ocean though.
It all has its pros and cons, though. A friend of mine has a pool with a beach entry, and her doodle goes in all the time! You can imagine how matted she gets.

[Missy]

Yes, this will change!!! 

Ours was timid at first at the lake house.  We never forced him.  just took him to the water's edge and we got in the water. We used his favorite toy - a stick- to put in the water and let him get it out.  each time going a little further and further. 

 it's a new feeling when they start to float, and we cheered lots!  it took weeks of this before he would actually jump in and go after a stick. it takes lots of practice to get those long legs swimming instead of prancing on top of the water, but we never pushed, just let him come into the swimming on his own. we are 2 now and can't keep him out of the water!! That first year of swimming was not much swimming just watching and getting feet wet.  Second summer was better as he was 18 months, and third summer (2015) we are in the water ALL day long!

keep introducing!!  They are still learning the world around them at 7 months. 

[Corinn Laitre]

Our doodle is almost 8 months old and didn't show any interest in swimming until we went to the lake and he watched us paddleboarding. He was so excited going in only as far as his chest before retreating again so we paddled to shore just out of reach and encouraged him to come to us. He did and he's been a swimmer every since lol so about a month. However my friends newfoundlander cross didn't start swimming until he was 3 and not for lack of trying. He tried going slow, throwing his favorite toys but just didn't like the feeling of leaving the ground until one hot day we were swimming and he wasnt going to be left behind, he wasn't a natural swimmer and we had to support his midsection until he learned to his front AND back legs in the water lol but now he is a swimming demon and can't get enough :) my advice is go slow and be patient. Start somewhere shallow and the water is slow moving or still.

[Kate, Mel, Tenley & Harper]

My Mel loves the water, but can't swim to save his life. 

Tenley loves the water and is a solid swimmer, but he's not in love with it. When we take him to a lake, he will splash around and swim a bit, but not a lot. He prefers splashing around-- he's obsessed with it. But, if I take him to a beach he won't go near the water because he's scared of the waves. I've taken him to swimming lessons in a pool and to a friend's pool, and he will go in the water if you throw something but he is quick to get out once he's retrieved the item. I'm not going to force it and won't be taking him to any more swimming lessons, I'll just let him splash around in the shallow end of the lake like he loves to do. 

I wouldn't force your pup to swim, as you said. Maybe try a different type of water and see if he has more interest? A lake is a great way to get them used to it because there are no waves and it starts out shallow and then slopes down into the deep end.

[Gail and Bailey]

My Bailey is 4 years old and still will not go in a pool on her own. I have worked with her slowly and  I know she is capable of swimming as I have had her in the shallow end of the pool and had her swim to the steps.  We have gotten to the point where she will step down on the first step of the pool and sit with me but any further than that and she lets you know she wants to get out!  Oddly enough she loves to float on a huge raft and be the "queen of the pool on her throne"....but I guess she sees swimming as something humans do. LOL

[Helga, Nimbus, Sierra, Clooney]

Nimbus on his float. LOL. Tried loading the video but it didn't work.

[Gail and Bailey]

Cute picture, Helga!  It looks like Nimbus is wet.....notice how Bailey is fluffy and dry?  She manages to get on and off the float without getting wet! :>)  Just goes to show how much she does not like being in the water.  She does like to run through the hose water though.

[Helga, Nimbus, Sierra, Clooney]

Yes, he was fighting the hose before that. Most of the time he stays dry when he gets on, though. Except for his feet, as our float is filled with granules, and it dips under a bit with weight on it.

Bailey does look like the queen of the pool.  Looks like she's waiting for her drink order. LOL.

[Jenny and Cooper]

Hhhmmm you guys are giving me some ideas. I'm going to put Cooper on a float and see if he likes it since he is also not a fan of the pool. 2nd time in the pool was better though so I think in time it will get better. Had the same question a few weeks ago!

[Jenny and Cooper]

LOL! Queen Bailey is so cute! :)

[Jolene, Sassparilla & Josie]

Sassparillas first visit to the water was the beach and she ran right in and was consumed by a wave. Freaked us both out, she was four months old and clueless.. For the longest time she wouldn't get near the water. Finally at a lake we tempted her with her toy inching it it further and further into the water until she was forced to go get it and now I can't keep her out of the water! Sadly she's not a good swimmer (butt seriously sinks) so we usually have her in a life vest. I would say patience, we played in the water until Josie finally came out to be with us. One thing to note she may not like the feel of the cement pool?? Also the girls will come to me when I call them into the water but are hesitant when my daughter does. Who ever he trusts more shud be the instigator.Good luck.