July 10, 2010
How to get my weimaraner to like water?
Those of you who are fimiliar with Weimaraners know that they are very sensitive. How do I introduce my 6 month old weimeraner to water to where he will swim and enjoy water. Right now he is afraid of it. He watches our lab swim but he won't try it.
Labs and goldens are easy swimmers, just try and keep them out of water on a hot day. Weims, not so much.
He will learn by watching your lab and will be more motivated if he learns to retrieve himself and goes after a ball or a stick in shallow water first. If he sticks by your side, you can also go in the water and play with him there.
Dog paddle or no, some dogs just take awhile to learn to swim and some never do. Just keep him in the shallows until he is used to it and gradually go deeper. Dogs can become frightened the first time they float so it helps to have you there for him to swim to.
Filed under Weimaraner Puppies by Perry
Comments on How to get my weimaraner to like water? »
Don't force the dog to go out in the water. It will just be traumatizing for everyone involved.
I would fill a kiddie pool with a inch or so of water and stand in it, bribing him to join you with cookies and treats. Gradually add more water until he gets used to it.
But not every dog enjoys water.
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Aside from the kiddy pool idea you can also go to the lake with both dogs and let him see the other dog and you in the water having fun.
Never force.
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Don't force the dog to go out in the water. It will just be traumatizing for everyone involved.
if the dogs wants in the water it will get in if it doesn't then it doesn't
References :
Labs and goldens are easy swimmers, just try and keep them out of water on a hot day. Weims, not so much.
He will learn by watching your lab and will be more motivated if he learns to retrieve himself and goes after a ball or a stick in shallow water first. If he sticks by your side, you can also go in the water and play with him there.
Dog paddle or no, some dogs just take awhile to learn to swim and some never do. Just keep him in the shallows until he is used to it and gradually go deeper. Dogs can become frightened the first time they float so it helps to have you there for him to swim to.
References :
Get your dog first introduced to water with slow baby steps, such as get a small baby pool and throw the dogs favorite treat or toy into the middle of the pool so your dog will learn that water is fun not a threat. But NEVER yell at the dog either then it think if it goes near water you will yell at him.and then if you have a bigger pool a bit deeper you throw the toy or treat in the water and hopefully he will learn to enjoy it and will be swimming like an pro in no time. This is how I taught my weimaraner Tosca to swim and now when ever she gets in the water we can never get her out out! Good luck training your new little swimmer!
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