My dog can't swim!

[Okie Amazon]

Dogs definitely have to learn to swim. We always swim our GSDs and it seems like in every litter, there's at least one "slow learner". I've never had one sink to the bottom, but I've sure a lot of flailing around until they get it!

 

[Tenderft chick]

I have a minature poodle. When she was younger she swam ok, but now she can't swim (she's 12) mostly due to starting to have back problems and deformed hind leg. We got her the life jacket and love having it, so does she. She never really liked water but she now is finally climbing into our kiddie pool that has only enough water in it to cover my feet so I can keep cool on some of these hot days.

 

[Stacykins]

Do you have a shallow end or something so the dog can touch the bottom? That would help your dog immensely in the water.

I remember my mother telling me that the first day she had my childhood dog, Kelly, that she visited a friend with an in ground pool. They were both chatting by the poolside as the friend's children swam, and then puppy Kelly didn't realize the ground ended and fell in! Poor girl was saved in a flash, but had a lifelong fear of all water after that!

 

[njduck]

i have a golden retriever that loves water, but can swim!!! oh and I forgot she can't retrieve either. go figure a water dog that was bred to swim and retrieve and can't do either. but she will play in the bath tub, kiddie pool, or mud puddle all day. even go into the river up to her neck. she tries to follow my other golden swimming, but she just can't figure it out.

 

[redsoxs]

I am a school guidance counselor and I have a therapy dog that can't swim. She kind of likes the water but would never go past mid way up her legs. I tricked her once and had her wading and led her to a drop off. Imagine my amazement when she simply disappeared! I had to save her. And she's a Black Lab!!!

 

[Godsgrl]

Quote:
No, I don't. There are three steps, then the pool drops to three feet. And I'm askeered of the lakes around here, as alligators own them.