Behavior
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| First - welcome to the forum!
She's "herding" the swimmers. Drezzie used to do the same thing, would go crazy when anyone was in the pool if she wasn't in it, too. She would run and bark non-stop along the fence because she wasn't doing her "job." When she would get in, although she wouldn't nip, she would swim around everyone in an effort to get them to one area. One way to get her used to it is to make sure the mood in the pool is subdued - no loud yelling, splashing, jumping, etc. A lot easier said than done with kids, I know, but this is one of those cases where you not only have to train the dog, you have to train the kids. If the kids have friends over or want to swim without worrying about Zora, you will just have to keep her in the house and let her pace. Just make sure that she knows how to swim well enough so that you don't have to worry about her hurting herself. Let her swim when there's only one or two people in the pool, keeping the mood subdued. This is just instinct to her. You have to learn to work around it. 
Chris |
AHHH! It is frustrating I know!  Both my former OES's did the same thing! And would fall in once in a while!  I wish I knew now what I didn't know then and train them a little better! You will get tonnes of great advice for this!
If you are going to keep her in full coat, I would recommend that swimming isn't a regular thing! 
Colleen and Gucci George=>Mommy, I want to go swimming!  |
| Merlin just herds the pool getting all distressed. You can see he is 'counting' the kids making sure all of them are ok. He gets worse when the kids jump in, then he wants to nip them as they come up for air! He wore his pads down running around the pool. Avalon did as well. Avalon actually jumps in the pool! Now when we are swimming the dogs are in their crates. Yes Avalon barks her head off for about 10 minutes but then she quiets down. |
| Thank you so much for your great reassuring advice--I feel so much better! I do not have children of my own (yet!) and she has quickly become my child. Everyone seems to be in agreement that this is "normal" behavior (and I must be disciplined); as much as I hate to admit it, I love it, I just do not want to hurt her. She is amazing! I have to discipline myself to be certain I am giving her her own space; although she follows me everywhere, she also likes to be alone and herd her toys around her. It is so cute. I will post pictures soon! Thank you again--and thank you for welcoming me into the forum! PS "Sweet as Tupelo Honey" is her registered name (a Van Morison song and tribute to my days living in San Francisco). Also, thank you for the pool advice; it makes complete sense and we have already put many of your great ideas into practice. One more note, there is one more of Zora's sisters awaiting adoption if you know of any loving families.... All my best, Kerrie |
| Hi,
Well I can relate to what the other posters are talking about..regarding sheepie behavior and not the pool..lol as I have a fishpond! Still, after having the pleasure of being Mom to four of these guys/girls in the past and present..one thing I found works...desensitizing them. As some suggested..get into the pool ...have quiet times...speak calmly to her...hard as it is ignore bad behavior ( turn your back when she starts pawing) I know easier said than done...praise her like crazy when she does something like just swim or is quiet. Good girl! She will eventually get the idea. Gradually build up to the point where she can be around people in the pool without going crazy. It's worth a try and best of luck to you! Marianne and the boys |
| She may also be exhibiting "alpha behavior" believing that she is responsible for your safety while in thepool. You may want ottojob of explaing this and how to discourage it. You may also want to crate her away from the pool while you swim since a sheepie may not be the best pool companion. Then as Marianne suggests, build time up slowly and calmly
As mentioned by other posters, sheepies are "velcro" dogs. Tasker follows me from room to room and seems to need to always keep me in sight. But is also fine when left alone. It will all come with time and training. Welcome to the site. Can't wait to hear more about you pup adn to see PICTURES  |
We tried desensitizing with Merlin. Both Merlin and Avalon have been brought into the pool calmly to show them where the stairs are incase they do fall in. Yes they know exactly where to swim to if they fall in. Merlin accidentally ran into the pool in June  he wasnt watching where he was going and oops! The dogs can only get into the pool area when I am in there, it is separatly gated from the other yards.
Merlin doesnt run around the pool if me or my husband are in the pool, only when the kids are in the pool. I think he is trying to protect them. And now he has taught Avalon to do the same. For us it is not worth having a kid nipped...so dogs are crated at pool time. Hugs, |
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