Doggie paddle

[tazgirl1981]

Love this


I agree, try a boogie board for leverage. Don't force the issue, just see if he wants to come in the pool (I'm sure he does if you're in there) and show him he can lean on that if he wants. He'll get the idea, and later, when he's more sure of himself, he may just swim around by himself. He may or may not end up liking the pool water, some do and some don't, it just depends on the personality.

One of my Shepherds loved going in my in laws' inground pool, he'd jump in and tool around quite happily. Another of mine was a little unsure of himself, but would go in, then jump out (that same dog was very nervous in our little blue pool). Same with ocean water - some love it and some don't. Our second female pictured adored the ocean, she's plop down in freezing cold water in the middle of January and just sit there. My current dog likes still water, but not waves. Some dogs enjoy the hose, some don't. They're all different, but most Shepherds do enjoy a good swim, especially somewhere like a lake. (Tossing balls in is another way to get them to go in.)

Thank you everyone so much for the idea...I dont know why I didnt think of that considering the picture I do think that he would like it if he was more sure of himself...he loves the water hose and fountains so Im thinking he may like the pool better if he felt more secure. Yea I have thrown his toys into the pool and he runs around the edges of the pool reaching as far as he can to try to get them out So he WANTS to get in there to get them but is scared

 

[PghLybrt]

I don't buy that for one second. Not if you keep your dogs clean, anyway.

I think people forget how filthy children can be.

It is an industry standard and something you are taught in any training you ever go to.

You do not have to believe it but I deal with it daily.

 

[jimmalru80]

Your pool + your dog = your choice

Agree 100%. However, my pool = NO DOGS = my choice.

 

[Parkers_girl]

My dog loves our pool, we can't keep him out of it. And no, I don't find it gross at all. We do limit how much he goes in though so that his skin doesn't dry out too much. He will literally swim all day if you let him. Even when he gets tired of swimming he still sits on the steps in the pool. Sometimes I swear he's a fish instead of a dog.

 

[tazgirl1981]

Love this


I agree, try a boogie board for leverage. Don't force the issue, just see if he wants to come in the pool (I'm sure he does if you're in there) and show him he can lean on that if he wants. He'll get the idea, and later, when he's more sure of himself, he may just swim around by himself. He may or may not end up liking the pool water, some do and some don't, it just depends on the personality.

One of my Shepherds loved going in my in laws' inground pool, he'd jump in and tool around quite happily. Another of mine was a little unsure of himself, but would go in, then jump out (that same dog was very nervous in our little blue pool). Same with ocean water - some love it and some don't. Our second female pictured adored the ocean, she's plop down in freezing cold water in the middle of January and just sit there. My current dog likes still water, but not waves. Some dogs enjoy the hose, some don't. They're all different, but most Shepherds do enjoy a good swim, especially somewhere like a lake. (Tossing balls in is another way to get them to go in.)

Not to get off topic too much...but how many shepherds do you have?? And don't you just LOVE the breed!! Harley is my first ever German Shepherd but I have adored the breed for forever. I swear he is so much smarter than the other dogs I have owned and he is 100 times more loyal then the others I have owned as well and he is only still a puppy

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Not to get off topic too much...but how many shepherds do you have?? And don't you just LOVE the breed!! Harley is my first ever German Shepherd but I have adored the breed for forever. I swear he is so much smarter than the other dogs I have owned and he is 100 times more loyal then the others I have owned as well and he is only still a puppy

Yes, I love the breed. I've had six of them.

So as not to hijack, come add your pictures here, looks like there's some call to turn it into a general pet discussion thread.

 

[MissFitt]

I have an almost 12-year-ols Siberian Husky who had been swimming since she was a pup. With the heat & humidity of NY summers, I'm glad she has her own way to cool down. She goes down the steps, swims her lap and goes right back up the steps. No muss, no fuss. Never had a problem with dog hair in the pool! The kids get a kick out of swimming with the dog! She is always the first one in when we open the pool for the season and usually the last one before we close it! (she doesn't mind the cold water as much as I do!!!)