Best dog life jacket

skinnydipper said:
We are all concerned because Summer is an elderly arthritic dog and a non swimmer by choice.

Forcing this dog, who doesn't choose to swim, to go out of her depth in a lake is not kind.

It would be far better for someone who had the dog's best interest at heart, to ask for vet referral to a physio who could assess the dog and advise whether hydrotherapy would be appropriate. The physio could also instruct the caregiver on exercises that would be beneficial for the dog that could be carried out at home.
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Very true but sadly the owner is not listening and is taking no advice.
 
I found this, in the faint hope it will convince OP to change their mind.
Beagles simply do not like water; they have a natural aversion to it.

While some beagles enjoy frolicking in the water, it is rare, and those beagles are usually trained as puppies. Because beagles are scent hounds that rely on their noses more than any other sense, their dislike of water makes sense. A large body of water is unsettling for Beagles since it can interfere with their ability to smell, which can be likened to being blindfolded.
Typically, Beagles do not like to swim, but with training, they can learn how to. If your Beagle takes to swimming, don’t take it as an indication that it enjoys the water. Your pet could be swimming for survival and not for pleasure.

From a hydrotherapists page.
 
Amymay Again said:
Actually, not the owner. Which will hopefully give more weight to the advice given.
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I do not understand, I was told by the op in another thread to mind my own business and accused of being a troll for trying to get them to see what a bad idea it is. However, I hope they have seen sense. I am only concerned for the dog. I will not be interacting with that poster again.
 
Splash2310 said:
Would someone be open to receiving a video to see if my dog is swimming correctly? He loves it, and we have been advised by our gundog trainer that he is fine and doing well, but these comments have made me think twice!
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You want them horizontal with a straight back and pushing from their hind legs. The risks are when they drop their bums down and go more vertical, or if they lift their head and neck and their back inverts. Anything not comfortable and doing a lot of fast front leg movements is almost certainly not in the right posture.

Theres probably more but thats the things that have come up with mine.
 
Sandstone1 said:
I do not understand, I was told by the op in another thread to mind my own business and accused of being a troll for trying to get them to see what a bad idea it is. However, I hope they have seen sense. I am only concerned for the dog. I will not be interacting with that poster again.
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I *think* Amymay means that birkers partner owns the dog?
 
Quote: Its obvious from the same old 'likes' on your reply that this has naff all to do with your concern over my dog. Clip clip off somewhere else please.

Warped/odd sense of humour at play here, but as I was one of the "same old 'likes' " referenced, does this mean that I am now a member of a 'gang' or 'clique'?? :) If so, I find this absolutely hilarious....no disrespect to any of the other 'likers'.....but I have never in my seven decades been a member of a gang or clique and I know, from posts on here, that I hold diametrically opposed views on a certain subject to at least two other 'likers'. This however, in my book, does not mean that I can not vehemently agree with them on other subjects......such is life. :) Am just amused that the OP thinks I follow people around liking their posts irrespective of content for the hell of it! 🤣

Okay....apologies for side-tracking, but it made me chuckle and I had to share....back to the serious subject of trying to get the OP to see sense and do the right thing by her dog....I live in hope, but won't hold my breath.
 
Theres a lot of talk about a clique but its mainly because by lumping everyone together as one mean, nasty, bullying entity it means that not only can sympathy be garnered, but any advice or information can be ignored no matter who it comes from as its from the "same old likers".

But when she and a genuine clique of delightful women, stalk me off forum, steal photos and then birker posts them on here with the sole intent of bullying me, thats absolutely fine. The mind boggles!

I dont spend much time here now and dont ever post personal stuff anymore, I'm far from the only person who feels that way.
 
gunnergundog said:
Quote: Its obvious from the same old 'likes' on your reply that this has naff all to do with your concern over my dog. Clip clip off somewhere else please.

Warped/odd sense of humour at play here, but as I was one of the "same old 'likes' " referenced, does this mean that I am now a member of a 'gang' or 'clique'?? :) If so, I find this absolutely hilarious....no disrespect to any of the other 'likers'.....but I have never in my seven decades been a member of a gang or clique and I know, from posts on here, that I hold diametrically opposed views on a certain subject to at least two other 'likers'. This however, in my book, does not mean that I can not vehemently agree with them on other subjects......such is life. :) Am just amused that the OP thinks I follow people around liking their posts irrespective of content for the hell of it! 🤣

Okay....apologies for side-tracking, but it made me chuckle and I had to share....back to the serious subject of trying to get the OP to see sense and do the right thing by her dog....I live in hope, but won't hold my breath.
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Well, I am definitely not in a gang. My thoughts are mine alone. Anyway I am just off to polish my clippity clop hooves.
 
I'm Dun said:
Theres a lot of talk about a clique but its mainly because by lumping everyone together as one mean, nasty, bullying entity it means that not only can sympathy be garnered, but any advice or information can be ignored no matter who it comes from as its from the "same old likers".

But when she and a genuine clique of delightful women, stalk me off forum, steal photos and then birker posts them on here with the sole intent of bullying me, thats absolutely fine. The mind boggles!

I dont spend much time here now and dont ever post personal stuff anymore, I'm far from the only person who feels that way.
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Sorry....I didn't mean to open any wounds, cause offence or inflame old adversaries. Apologies. As I said, my warped sense of humour....I should have learned to keep it to myself by now.
 
gunnergundog said:
Sorry....I didn't mean to open any wounds, cause offence or inflame old adversaries. Apologies. As I said, my warped sense of humour....I should have learned to keep it to myself by now.
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I do think that any group of people can become like an echo chamber.

Last Saturday, on the approach to the anniversary of my husband's death, I joined a FB spouse grief page. Heck, it was miserable, with everyone saying how miserable they were and how they would never recover. I joined in, with how I have managed, by enlarge, to turn my life back around and so many people said it was brave to say so on there. But now, there are a lot of people saying how they are recovering. The echo chamber was broken.

I do see traces of echo chamber on HHO too, more that I have ever seen deliberate bullying or cliques.

If you go against the general feeling, it can feel overwhelming.

On this subject, though, I do agree that the proposed swimming excursion was not the most informed choice. I do hope that @Birker2020 has read the comments, is now better informed, and will change the plan accordingly, as I do believe she has the best interests of Summer to heart.
 
Why don't you simply go swimming first and then let her have a play in the water ?
She might have a good time, splashing around ?

She probably only wants to be with you and have a good time, at that age, it seems a bit too much.

It's a bit like if i took my 8 years old Basset in deep water, some dogs aren't made for swimming....

She looks well for her age !
 
gunnergundog said:
Sorry....I didn't mean to open any wounds, cause offence or inflame old adversaries. Apologies. As I said, my warped sense of humour....I should have learned to keep it to myself by now.
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No old wounds here. I just find it an interesting study in a certain subset of people. Although the involvement of an animal this time has made me furious and disgusted.
 
I've had a bit of a yearning to take Bandit to one of these fun pools with the hot summer we've had. I mentioned it to his physio and his hydrotherapist and was told you'd better not. The handlers are mostly unqualified, the activity is mostly unregulated, the water's too cold, the entry into the water isnt always controlled and there is risk of secondary drowning. Bandit does 15 minutes on the treadmill with a 10% gradient with a handson therapist, he's a fit and well muscled 7 year old. He does have an elbow problem which is why he has the physio and hydro. 20 minutes for an elderly and unfit dog is a lot of swimming especially under duress and I'd be really worried about secondary drowning, if she can't swim she might accidently be taking in water without you realising.

Be careful and be sensible, try it and if she's saying she doesn't like it dont carry on. If she ends up having the time of her life keep the issue of secondary drowning and achy joints in your mind and don't do too much.

Also, if its not a pool you're going to and just some random pond/lake/canal/river make sure theres no blue-green algae about too
 
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Sandstone1 said:
I am only concerned for the dog. I will not be interacting with that poster again.
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I've thought the same in the past but we have to try for the sake of the dog.


Sandstone1 said:
Just wondering how it is that someone can accuse someone else of being a troll and not be banned from the forum? people have had warnings and bans for less but that particular poster seems immune?
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Don't worry about it. I've been called a troll by another attention seeking forum member. Their opinion is unimportant . It would be different if it was someone whose opinion you respected.
 
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skinnydipper said:
I've thought the same in the past but we have to try for the sake of the dog.




Don't worry about it. I've been called a troll by another attention seeking forum member. Their opinion is unimportant . It would be different if it was somebody whose opinion you respected.
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Very true, I certainly have no respect for that poster.
 
Tiddlypom said:
If you feel that any post breached the forum guidelines then it can be reported using the ‘report’ button.

Admin certainly take a very dim view of users calling out posters as trolls even in a jokey way. We are supposed to report concerns to admin and let them take action (or not).
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I certainly feel that at least one post breached the guidelines so we shall see.
 
@Birker2020 Did you ask vet or physio for their advice before you ploughed ahead with what you wanted?

Did she wear the ill fitting lifejacket that restricted her shoulders and is too long in the back?

I'm Dun said:
With regards to the lifejacket, they must not be fitted like coats. They are fitted short and only cover the front section, from the wither to about half way along the back and they must not impede the shoulder or front legs either. Until your in the water with them you dont realise just how much movement the legs need, esp the hips as you want them pushing and powering from the back legs. I didnt know any of this, but luckily had the instructor on hand to advise and they have a range of life jackets to try on. Floyd has gone up a couple of sizes since we started, so we regularly check the fit of his. If they are too long they impede movement and then they start doing weird things with their posture and thats when backs and necks get damaged.
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skinnydipper said:
I take it back. It's a complete waste of time.
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So she dragged her into the water and forced her to swim by dragging her round by the handle in a life jacket so badly fitting I'm surprised the poor old dog could move. It makes me feel ill thinking of Summer, no doubt frightened and with no option other than to swim. I dont get it. How can people ignore an animal being unhappy?!

Floyd hated swimming at the first place but because hes such a legend of a dog he still got in the water because I asked him to. We stopped it as he didnt get any better and I hated him doing something to please me that he actively disliked. He never refused to go in the door, and never said no to doing what I asked, but thats just his nature. I knew he wasnt happy and I didnt like it so I stopped him going. I was very wary of restarting him at the new place, but it had been so good for his back I decided to give it a go. The second he tells me he doesnt want to doit anymore I will stop it immediately and thats that.

Dogs by their very nature want to please you, they will do all sorts of things they dont want to do to make you happy, but as an owner you should be able to read your dog and know its not comfortable and then its your job to stop whatever it is. I don't believe that people dont see this in their dogs, I do strongly believe many ignore it as they care more about what they want than what their dog wants or needs.

Some people shouldnt be allowed to own any animal as the attitude they have doesnt stop with dogs.
 
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