Water-madness.... help!!
After that water source was restricted, it took Pesty Ross about a nano-second to head for the water bowl and start digging in that. It is a big bucket you would chill several bottles of wine in. That is inserted into a 5 gallon pail, which is half filled to give it stability and the whole mess is lashed to a pole. Yet, Pesty is so determined. She can get her legs all the way in up to her elbows, and get her face in - and she manages to splash the water onto her back legs before she goes and batters herself in dirt. I am beside myself. I cannot figure out how to cease this behavior. Here are the obstacles that need to be addressed, as I see it: 1. Since I have 3 other dogs I must provide some water source for them. 2. Not drying her and letting her air dry in chilly temps seems to not phase her a bit. In fact, she seems to like it. But of course, I am concerned that is creating a poor precedent. 3. My first solution would normally be exercise. But Betsy had an ACL injury 10 days ago, so she is on crate rest/restricted activities. The tranquilizers I had been giving her seemed to make her super-hyper in the 3 hour period they took to work. She seems less hyper without them. But frankly, the water-madness proceeded the injury. She loves water. She took a head dive twice into a pool the first week I had her, when she was 11 weeks old. While the first one could have been accidental, the second sure wasn't. Anyone have any suggestions of how to break her off this? I am growing weary of a wet, sandy home and the pack is really annoyed they have these buckets of black water. But what really concerns me is knowing how easily wet fur mats. I really would like to change this behavior, before it goes on much longer. The only thing I can think of is to get a deep birdbath or raised fountain and have them all drink from there. But I have a feeling that just won't work for long. Thanks in advance for any help anyone can offer. I am befuddled. |
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Dawn/Got Sheep may have better advice thanks to her Chewie 
With his mom, who was also a water fiend , it necessitated getting a LARGE "donut" water bowl. That is, it comes with a top that limits the accessible water. It was OK for multiple dogs here only because you do have to be around enough to fill it up rather frequently in hot weather at least.
She actually outgrew most of her water festish (eh, at least as far as the water bowl is concerned - she still can't resist a stream or a pond <Dawn, I'm so sorry  > and I passed the donut bowl as I refer to it along to her younger brother.
I really don't like them as (a) they are plastic and (b) the top is hard to remove and I have RA plus carpal tunnel, so no strength in my wrists. And piggy dogs seem to remain piggy dogs even when they can't play in their bowl, so you have to clean it all the time. Perhaps if someone could devise something that could limit the intake "hole" without being a pain in the butt to work with plus made of plastic, they could make themselves a small fortune. I'm not that creative but when I was still showing her I would have paid big bucks for something along those lines. Training them out of it is hard since it's so selfrewarding. Making it not self-rewarding keeps both of you sane. Sort of. Kristine |
| LOL - I knew this referral was coming.....
I use one of those gallon water fountains. The amount of actual water to play in is pretty small.
But, with numerous dogs, it assures that they all have water in the hot weather. I turn my back and Chewie goes for the water. We have a large, ornamental pond Todd lovingly made in our yard. After numerous liner rips, we lined it the last time with indoor/outdoor carpeting. The third time is the charm! My baby the 1st week home - 
Last fall he jumped in - ice and all! 
and frozen Chewie - 
And in the summer 
and out - 
He also loves lakes and rivers.... And of course needed convincing that a sparkling clean pool was OK!! 
but then did OK with a life jacket (with all his hair!) 
Good luck with the water - I really do understand your pain!!! |
| Thank you both for your advice. Gotsheep, My husband and I just looked at Chewie's photos and groaned while we laughed. Let's just say, while we know your pain we have only been suffering through it for months, not years, so far! I think I am going to get TMJ and some really worn down teeth if I don't figure out a solution soon!!
Have either of you had any success using those water attachments that turn your faucet into a waterer, like this: http://www.globalpets.com/SPD/lixit-fau ... 271622.jsp I have two faucets in the yard that could be adapted to this sort of water delivery, until the Paddle-Splash behavior subsides. It is the perfect time of year to do this, since it is cooler now - and I believe I can train the other dogs to use it if they must. I can augment their free-water delivery to early morning and evenings. Betsy is the only one who drinks a great deal of water all day long. Kristen, have any other suggestions on how I might make this less self-rewarding? Currently it is raining here (eeek, it is so unusual for this area!) and I have already had to bathe Petsy again today, as she found something out back to roll in and was soaking wet and muddy and stinky! So she has spent the rest of her day in her crate, in the bathroom with the heat lamp on and only allowed out on her leash. The dog doors are locked down and for the moment and the house is toasty warm and the floors are clean and grit free! 
I like my home clean and dry. Any suggestions on how to curb that self-rewarding behavior? Thanks so much for all the suggestions so far. I am, indeed, grateful. |
| I would try one of those "lickit" types. I don't have outside faucets on my house, or I would get one too. My house is over 100 yrs old - they didn't even HAVE plumbing back then!
Maybe dig a hole and fill it with gravel/rocks underneath the tap, so if it drips, she doen't have a muddy area to play in? Good luck.  |
| Even better, these are both located on the cement pad outside my home.
No faucets???! How ever did you fill that spectacular koi pond? Kudos to your husband, it is lovely (with and without the sheepdog!) |
| We have a well. There is a water hydrant on that and we run hoses from it to fill the pond.
Lucky you with a cement pad - I would go for it! |
| Well, I found the solution!
Two weeks ago we went to the PS show and bought a pan and locking bracket from this guy: http://www.panholders.com/ The first day she still put her paws in and splashed water all over. The second day, she got into the birdbath but didn't fool around with the pan. Since then, we had occasional pawing at the water during the first week. It occurred to me that she has only gotten soaking wet in the sprinklers ths week.  The hole digging has continued but nothing is as bad as muddy and wet.
If anyone is interested in one of these, the owner said he would offer the show price (the discount ranges from a couple of bucks to about a $7 savings) to anyone who mentions that they got referred through the Palm Springs Kennel Club show. |
| That is great that you found a solution. It looks sturdy! |
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