Labradoodle & Goldendoodle Forum
I have a pool in my back yard and two doodles that won't go near it. Any suggestions?
OK - I tried to post this the other day but ended up posting it as a comment instead of starting a discussion.
My husband picks them up and carries them to the middle and they swim straight out but will not get back in on their own. When they get out they run all around and act silly like they just had a bath. Any suggestions on how to get them to the next stage?
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Permalink Reply by Dewberry Family on -
Not sure I have an answer for you. But with our now 8 month old doodle we would take him to creeks and he wouldn't go in them and lakes he would shy away from and the pool - same thing - wouldn't get near it. I continued to take him to smaller creeks and toss sticks near the edge and then further and further out until he gained confidence to enter them.
With the lake, we haven't gotten too far, but the best has been when two other swimming dogs went right in and he just followed them and before he knew it he was swimming. Scout is still a little fearful of the lake but will go in up to his chest from time to time. Tough when you see other people hucking balls and sticks way out and their dogs retrieving...
At home with the pool, what we've done is to get him on the first step and hold him and play with him, make him happy and comfortable, get him wet, play with a toy, etc. and then slowly move him in deeper over successive sessions - not all at once. Sometimes he just jumps right in, but he's not ready to go swim out in the middle of the pool...good luck. -
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