Teaching your dog to swim
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If I had to pick one thing that Drez loves to do more than anything else, it would be swimming  , which is funny because we literally have to lift her to get her in the tub for a bath!  We have a pool in our backyard so during the summer she can swim all she wants. I wish I knew of somewhere I could take her in the winter, because I'm sure she would enjoy it and it would definitely help those little hips!
We didn't have to teach her to swim. When we first put the pool in, she looked at it like, "Oh my God! That's the biggest bathtub I've ever seen!!" and she wasn't sure she wanted any part of it. We just picked her up and carried her in and stood by her as we lowered her into the water. That was all it took! Off she went! Now she stands there staring as we take the winter cover off in the spring, just waiting for her chance to jump in! Her herding instinct in the water is hysterical! If no one is in the pool, she's okay. Once someone goes in, she bounces in after them and swims around and around them to make sure they don't go anywhere and keep safe. It's such a riot to watch! Anyway, hope you can find somewhere to take Pooh cause I'm sure he'll love it just as much! Chris |
| I bet Pooh will be a natural! Sydney likes to "wade" but hasn't really done any swimming. If Pooh has a favorite toy, ball, etc. - you can probably lure him into a pool or lake with that. If you have a pool - the best thing to do is make sure they know how to get out. Laurel of wigglebus.com has some great tips on teaching your dogs how to swim (and safety in the pool). I'm sure if you emailed her she'd be happy to give you some ideas.
For those of you with HD dogs - there are some inside pools/whirlpools for therapy. I will try and find out how you get a listing of them and let you know. -Kristen |
| When we were doing acupuncture ($40 per session) for Jake in 2002, we looked into hydrotherapy. It was somewhere around $80 to $100 per session, if my recollection is true. |
| Norman was a natural swimmer but Carl needed some help. We swim at the "dog spa" which is at an equine center. The pool is a long horse excercise pool with a ramp in and a ramp out. The man who owns the dog spa, he is a horse person by trade, put Carl in a dog harness and attached a 20 foot lead. I nudged Carl down the ramp and he tugged on the lead after the first full trip down the length of the pool he understood what was going on and was off in a flash.
My friend started bringing her Labs up to swim and funny enough, one of them couldn't swim to save his life until one of the other dogs swam around and around him. It was like a swimming demo from one dog to the other. There is also a hot tub and shower area at the dog spa. Swimming costs $15 for the first dog, $7 for additional dogs. Shower w/out a swim is $5. Hot tub/Whirlpool is $5 w/swim and $15 w/out. It's a nice facility and it's open 24 hours a day so if the urge hits at 3am you can take your dog swimming! http://www.dogswimming.com |
| Looks like a great deal! |
| My Niece insisted we should throw our Shepherd in the pool. Our summer temps are in the 100's..usually around 110. I thought it was cruel, throwing him in, so she did it. After that he wouldn't go near the pool.
I realized it was because nobody showed him how to get out. So my husband and I did it the next time and jumped in with him and swam to the steps and let him climb out. He felt more secure when he knew there was a way out. Then we started bringing him in on just the first step...then he eventually would go to the second step and stand there. He will now go in by himself and sit on the second step. My husband will hold him while swimming and that's really the only time he will swim. As soon as he lets him go he goes right back to his spot on the steps. He'd rather stand or sit on the second step and cool off than swim. I had a Boxer that would run right in to a lake or stream. She just loved the water, but she would never go beyond where she could stand. The one day she was chasing a stick and ended up not being able to stand anymore. Instead of coming back towards the shore she started swimming in circles. I knew she was panicking. Finally after about ten minutes of calling her she headed towards the shore when I threw another stick in closer to the shore. I didn't want to have to go in. The lake was pretty nasty. I am glad she came out on her own. My advice... Don't throw them in the water. Go in with them. Our Sheepdog that I grew up with just got really hot one day and jumped into my Uncle's Pool by herself. Though I believe that was the only time she ever swam. Elissa |
| Hi,
I found a great place to take my dog to swim. He had ACL surgery and the Veterinary surgeon reccommende this facility. The owner is vey helpful and will start your dog out. She says most of the dogs don't like to swim at first but do great after a few visits . This was true of my dog . His knee is doing very well . She charges ten dollars a time and you can stay as long as you like. You can also bring more than one dog for the same rate. They are open from 8am to 8pm every day. The Dog Pool 610-495-7247 Owner Linda Brown Spring City , PA. |
| Sounds like an even better deal!
Thanks! |
| I'm just amazed to hear about all these doggie spa ideas, we don't have anything like that here. |
| Hi,
I think you would be surprised at what is available for you and your dog in Ontario. Here is a site that lists a lot of services all over the country [url]http://pamperedpuppy.com/directory/. There are a lot of sites on the net that list places that are happy to see you when you travel with your dog. Loews hotels and the W group are just two chains. Just google to what you want to find. All best, Carol |
What a great link! Thank you  |
| I just got back from the dog pool on saylors mill road in spring city, pa.
It was awful!!! The pool was so dirty and in the deep end there were poles, wires and a picket fence sunk at the bottom of the pool. I am surprised that anyone would take their dog there. We will never go back. Maybe it was nice at one time but today it was terrible. Todays date is 7/23/09 |
| I took my dogs to Spring City about 5 years ago and it was OK.
I can only imagine they haven't upgraded their equipment. The pool at Wagsworth Manor near Exton is lovely, very clean. It is not cheap but for the occasional treat it is worth the money |
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