Allie is afraid of waves!!!!

[Kim]

So... we brought Allie to the lake last weekend and wouldn't you know - she is SCARED to death of the water. I think it's more the waves that she's afraid of because that's when she really jumped back (lol). I went into the water a little, and tried to lure her in with treats, but she didn't even want them!!!!! That's when you know we have a problem. I also tried tugging on the leash a little, but she sat down in the sand and wouldn't budge!!!! I wasn't going to torture her so I really didn't make a big deal of it - but when leaving we were kind of sad that she didn't like it. We are going to the lake for a week in August. I guess we will try again - but I'm sure that nothing will have changed with her by then! Any tips anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated!!!!

[Tammy & Gracie]

Allie is pretty young isn't she? Give her time. Try to lure her in again with you in the water but make no big deal if she refuses. In the beginning Gracie would not get past her feet in the water. Then one day, someone threw a toy out into the lake for a Lab. That's all it took. Before we knew what was happening, Gracie was swimming after the lab and his toy!

[Kim]

She will be one year old in 2 days!!!! She didn't even want her feet in the water!!!! We aren't at the lake very often so it's not like it will ever become normal for her. Hopefully she will decide to try it when we go back for a week in August... We will bring plenty of toys for her just in case!!!!!

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

Yankee wouldn't go in our pool until a friend brought their dog over and he followed her dog in.

[Kim]

There was another dog in the water when we first got there (it was a little beach designated for dogs) and when she saw the other dog, she got really excited - so I thought for sure she would try to play. She started to run over to him until her feet touched the water & then she got scared. I think she didn't know it was water to begin with???? LOL. I know it sounds funny - but she started running to play with the other dog and once her feet touched the water it's like someone pushed the stop button... and then never pushed play again (haha)

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

What is she like in a bath?

[Kim]

She's fine in the bath... I'm not sure what "normal" is in the bath. She doesn't play or anything - she just stands there and lets me bathe her. She is by no means afraid of the bath water, like she is at the lake. Maybe because the lake is so big she feels threatened.

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

Maybe she needs to start out smaller and work her way up to the lake.

[Marcia Stevens]

Hi....I have 2 doodles.....my Kodie girl LOVES water....she goes swimming all by herself, and loves it! My Tannor boy really does NOT like the water...we have to kind of force him to get in...he'd rather not swim at all....?? I guess it just depends on the doodle......I would think all doodles would love water, but I guess it's not the case....

[Kim]

awe :) Cute picture. Yes - I thought they all liked the water too.

[Sharon, Boo & Cricket]

Maybe you could get a cheap plastic kiddie pool and practice in there? Just fill it up a tiny bit, like an inch of water, and sprinkle a bunch of kibble or treats in the water. Then when she's comfortable, maybe fill it a little higher and make splashes (to get her used to the waves)? Just a thought. :)

[Kim]

Good idea - I didn't even think of that!!!!! She might actually like that! Thanks!

[Ellen aka BeauBeau's Mom]

I'm chuckling just reading this above, and had to share with you the fact that I am STILL riding around with the kiddie pool in the trunk of my car! LOL never even had the opportunity (or the willing doodle either) to make use of it. Beaubeau is still terrified of any body of water other than my shower after three years.