Getting a dog to enjoy water....

[cj-sharpy]

I think it's worth establishing a difference between what they are afraid of and using "flooding" and simply introducing a new experience quickly.
Our Hydrotherapist was the first to put Max in water.
He walked up the ramp okay but stopped when his feet hit the water. She gave him a minute to get him self together and decide to walk in him self before she pulled him in. In her words it was better to get him in whilst he was wondering what was going on with this wet stuff rather than let that uncertainty build to fear at which point getting him in would take a long time or put a lot of stress on him.
After one session he completely lost his fear of water.
He's still not a natural in the water but will now wade in up to his chest where before he'd walk around puddles.


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[season]

What seaon is suggesting is called Flooding and it's not seen as a good way to get over a fear of anything by any rated professional any more. Quite literally in this case, he is suggesting throwing your dog in at the deep end and letting him get on with it. This may work, but the potential fallout is making your dog scared of water. Do as others suggest, go in baby steps in his own time.

As u can see by the pics Solo isn't afraid of water. And I never "threw him in the deep end and let him get on with it." I picked him up and jumped in with him. Never let him go.
Nice try though.

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[season]

If you let dogs "get over their fears" on their own time then they never will.
They need to learn to deal with it.


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[season]

I think it's worth establishing a difference between what they are afraid of and using "flooding" and simply introducing a new experience quickly.
Our Hydrotherapist was the first to put Max in water.
He walked up the ramp okay but stopped when his feet hit the water. She gave him a minute to get him self together and decide to walk in him self before she pulled him in. In her words it was better to get him in whilst he was wondering what was going on with this wet stuff rather than let that uncertainty build to fear at which point getting him in would take a long time or put a lot of stress on him.
After one session he completely lost his fear of water.
He's still not a natural in the water but will now wade in up to his chest where before he'd walk around puddles.


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[NYDDB]

I do believe a lot of it has to do with energy (to borrow from Cesar Millan.) I had a friend who was frustrated that his Rottie didn't want to fetch in the water like my Lab did...or even go in past his chest. After much berating and angry pressure, the dog really just shut down (well, I would have, too.)

If the dog trusts you (or whomever is handling him at the moment), then they will feed of of your confidence (or lack of.) I don't believe the dog will be traumatized if the owner takes the lead with confidence and, especially, joins him in the water for the first time.

 

[season]

I do believe a lot of it has to do with energy (to borrow from Cesar Millan.) I had a friend who was frustrated that his Rottie didn't want to fetch in the water like my Lab did...or even go in past his chest. After much berating and angry pressure, the dog really just shut down (well, I would have, too.)

If the dog trusts you (or whomever is handling him at the moment), then they will feed of of your confidence (or lack of.) I don't believe the dog will be traumatized if the owner takes the lead with confidence and, especially, joins him in the water for the first time.

Well said.


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[Glasgowdogtrainer]

Dog's will get over their fears in their own time if we facilitate it. I do it all the time. The notion of Cesar's "energy" is voodoo. If you want to describe it, it's how hw hold the lead, how, when what to and what not to reinforce etc. These are all skills which can be both taught and learned rather than some mystical notion of "energy"

To the OP, go softly, reinforce small steps if you're dog is nervous and give him the choice whether he wants to do it or not.

 

[Boxergirl]

I do think that the tossing in technique may not do any damage to some dogs, but I think that it could create huge problems for others. And it's not about the handler's confidence, IMO. It's about knowing your dog. If you have a dog that's more than cautious - if the dog is really afraid - then tossing him in would be a very bad idea. I think any observant owner should be able to easily figure out if their dog is just unsure or is really afraid. I'd rather take my time initially with a fearful dog to ensure a good association than try to undo any damage I've done later. Again though, I do think there is a difference between unsure and afraid and a matter of knowing your dog.

 

[ruby55]

Ours aren't crazy about water. Bella literally screams when we try to put her in a kiddie pool. She also has a fit if we stand in it. But take her to the beach & she wades out chest deep & sits down. Go figure. We took Cobi to the beach for the first time last weekend. He's about 9 months old. The waves freaked him out, but with Bella wading right in, he followed. He acted like it was....just ok. Ruby & Ally stand in the kiddie pool to cool off; they won't sit in it. And neither of them like the ocean. Sunny doesn't like water at all. Period.

 

[Smokeycat]

Why would you want to force your dog to enjoy swimming? Some dogs naturally like water, even if they need coaxing to first get in but others simply don't or have their own limits for for far they choose to go. Jiggers first time at the river he refused to even get his paws wet but a couple days later when we went back there were other dogs visible playing in the water and he ran straight in and started swimming. He absolutely loves swimming now, water fetch is probably the best game ever. Kryten on the other hand went into the water his first time, following Jiggers, but other than one time last summer he only wades in belly deep. And given his severe lack of buoyancy I like the fact he prefers to keep his feet planted. A friends dog will go and take a drink but forget getting her feet wet. She apparently loved water as a young puppy but as she aged she no longer wanted anything to do with getting wet.

 

[NYDDB]

Dog's will get over their fears in their own time if we facilitate it. I do it all the time. The notion of Cesar's "energy" is voodoo. If you want to describe it, it's how hw hold the lead, how, when what to and what not to reinforce etc. These are all skills which can be both taught and learned rather than some mystical notion of "energy"

To the OP, go softly, reinforce small steps if you're dog is nervous and give him the choice whether he wants to do it or not.

I would not refer to Einstein's work as "voodoo." Energy is an important consideration (as well as establishing trust and a deep bond with your dog) in any training experience.

 

[season]

View attachment 54613
I would not refer to Einstein's work as "voodoo." Energy is an important consideration (as well as establishing trust and a deep bond with your dog) in any training experience.

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[season]

If energy is voodoo then consider me all about voodoo. Call it whatever you want. The energy we give off our dogs pick up on. If we are confident our dogs will feed off of that. Humans do too. I don't need a scientific study to prove that to me. If I'm fearful or hesitant my dog will be too. I'm not going to follow someone who gives off a wishy washy vibe. I'm going to follow someone that inspires me with their attitude and energy. Voodoo all the way if that's what it is.


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[season]

Ppl with a "positive" attitude also give off a positive "energy"...I'd think you'd understand that energy Glasgow being that you're all about the "positive" training. Some just naturally have it (good attitude, confidence.) Some have to learn how to channel that energy. But that energy is real. It's there. And it can be felt.
May the Force Be With You!

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[maryl]

Call It what you like, but if you are nervous when taking your dog into the show ring, it doesn't matter how much experience he has, he wont show well.

 

[season]

Call It what you like, but if you are nervous when taking your dog into the show ring, it doesn't matter how much experience he has, he wont show well.

Our energy aka "voodoo" is real and our dogs know it too.


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[Glasgowdogtrainer]

Yes, because the energy Einstein talks about is exactly the same as the mythical energy TV dog personalities promote. My mistake.

 

[Glasgowdogtrainer]

If you could define "how to have good energy with my dog" I'd love to hear it. And I mean actually define it, rather than the usual "you either have it or not".

Do you mean how you stand, how you breath, how you hold the leash, where, when and when not to reinforce? Where to place the reinforcer? Where to position your body in relation to your dog to set you both up for success?

If this is what you actually mean, then it's definable, teachable skills. If not, then it's a bit wooly for me and if you can't tech or define it why are you advising it?

Yes, in the example above, if a handler is nervous going into a ring at competition then the dog may pick up on it, but that's to do with your dog reading your body language and probably a previous history (classical conditioning) with something changing. If the dog is picking up on body language then that;s to do with all the points listed above.

Let's try to give advice which can actually be implemented, based on the application of physical skills and good science rather than something reproduced from and entertainment show on NatGeo.

 

[season]

You are way too hung up on Cesar. You're giving off a negative vibe.
Stay positive.


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[Glasgowdogtrainer]

You too. But I did notice you didn't answer any of the questions I posed in my last. Interesting.