Pooping in the water...

[Tammy and Willow]

We take Willow out boating with us, and we always go to a sand bar somewhere to jump in for a swim. In the beginning, Willow would swim over to shore to take a potty walk, but lately, she just stops when she is standing in the water, and she goes! I think the swimming helps "move things around", and she sometimes poops twice on our outings. Anyway....I try to keep her from pooping in the water, but unfortunately, it has become a "thing" with her. It is really embarrassing because there are always other swimmers around. What can I do to stop this!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Does Willow give some indication when she is about to go? If so, I think I would immediately take her over to the shore to do her business when I see she is thinking about it. I would treat it just like puppy training in the house. If she starts to poop in the water, I would give her some indication...high pitch "eh, eh," that it is not OK and redirect her to shore. Give her lots of high praise when she does her business where you want her to go.  Our dogs go pontooning with us and we always walk them before getting on the boat and encourage them to do their business. The water does seem to stir this stuff up, but we limit our trips to shorter outings, mainly because I do worry about them having to go to the bathroom.  

[Tammy and Willow]

I immediately take her to the shore to potty, but it always involves a short swim. If we make it to shore, we are usually safe, but something about the swimming and salt water makes her always go again....really soon...and that time is usually when she's romping around in the water. 

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Glad Elizabeth chimed in. We swim in lake water and have never gone swimming in salt water. I think we may avoid it :) LOL

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

If she is ingesting any salt water at all it will make her poop.  I keep poop bags tucked in my bathing suit to scoop it up as soon as my two go.  No matter how many times they go before we leave, the salt water gets "things" moving.  Sometimes I have to chase it through the waves which I'm sure is very comical to onlookers LOL

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

:-}

[Tammy and Willow]

I'm sure the salt water has a lot to do with the second and third poops! Ha! It has just become so embarrassing! I stick poop bags in my swimsuit straps too, and you'll see me running around trying to catch her wet poop!