Best way to get the spangle to swim and enjoy it?

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AGAGE

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Louis had his first swim today at Knettishal heath in the river, but didn't seem a natural. We paddled in the river for a bit and he went ankle deep. Then thankfully a man with two black labs came and they were in and out the water having a wonderful time.

Louis seemed excited by this and got up to his waste deep, we pushed him out further and he swam for a few seconds. At first we thought he looked like he was going to sink then he swam back to the bank and looked very pleased with himself but then when we tried to tempt him in later on the walk he wasn't interested.

He's nearly two years old but doesn't seem that interested in swimming or water. We've taken him to Holkham beach to go swimming but he was scared of the noise from the waves!

Whats the best way to get him to swim, I understand that he just may not like it, but we've only tried a couple of times and I think he's just unsure.

Any ideas?
 
Find a nice quite river that gets deep very gradually, strip off and get in with him! :D

Otto fell in when he was little and it scared the life out of him, it took a year before he went in happily after lots of paddling with us. However he has just spent the morning swimming from one side of the soar to the other :D
The beach isn't the place for dogs to learn to swim, to many waves, it'll scare them.
 
Aww he is soooooooooo cute in that picture!!:D

Ok firstly the sea is scary for dogs the first few times they go - took Max (a 2year old lab) to Holkham with some AAD peeps for the second time yesterday and by the end of the walk he was going to way past his tummy - to start with he would only paddle and ran away from the waves and this is a dog who normally lauches himself into brooks, streams, ponds etc without a second glance.:rolleyes:

I would find a nice walk with a small stream/brook he can see the bottom off and get him to play in it - its easier if he chases sticks, balls as you can throw them in the water for him to chase and he can paddle around to get them without having to take his feet off the bottom. I'm sure once he gets his confidence and the hang of it he will be away!!:D

Are you sure you want a spangle that swims?? :confused:Once he does you will spend you life trying to keeps him out of the water:rolleyes::rolleyes:...................Sweep has spent 12 years being a bit damp and smelling like an old sack so be careful what you wish for!!;):D:D
 
Thanks, will try and get him to santon downham river, and bring my swimming stuff! We don't go to that many places where theres water, so don't have to worry too much about him becoming obsessed with swimming- although I've just thought, my parents have a big pond that may become an issue!
 
What about taking him to a hydrotherapy pool so he can learn to swim in a safe enviroment, even better if someone's in with him. If not if you can get in river with him and keep your hand under his tummy so he doesn't feel like he's sinking. Some dogs especially novice swimmers arn't good at keeping their bottoms up initially. Keep a special floating toy just for his swims so that's the only time he gets to play with it. Hope this helps!

By the way I run a dog hydro pool, I'm not just some crazy person who's obsessed about dogs swimming......!!
 
Ditto, get in with him - the river is not deep at Knettishall, I was just paddling in there with Henry myself today:) It's knee high at deepest, put your shorts and flipflops on and get in there:D

Take a ball or other toy that floats and have a game with him in there:)

ETA if you're ever headed over that way and fancy it, send me a pm and I will meet you, I'm sure Henry will be able to get him in there :D
 
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