German Wirehaired Pointer Club of America

[greatcountysky]

I have a house dog that is a Boxer/Beagle mix, and I go swimming at a lake near my house about once a week. Every time we go, I sense that she wants to get in, but doesn't. The only problem I can see right now is that there is dock that is 3 ft. from the water that we humans get in from. There is also plenty of land that she can get in from, so my question, how to get her to around to the bank and swim out to where we are? Is there any way to reward here for getting in? Any suggestions?


Thanks,
Countysky
Internet Satellite

[Ekmac]

You should probably be carefully before forcing your dog to swim. I know that there are certain breeds of dogs that can't swim, and I think Boxers are one of them. Maybe the dog is hesitating for a reason.

My dog loves swimming, and would go in quite willingly from a bank. However if I tried to get her to use the stairs at my parents pool, she refused to go in. I had to carry her into the pool, and she didn't enjoy swimming at all. There is no way I could ever get her to use a dock.

My last dog however would use the steps, or jump into the pool, and even use the ladder to get out. Every dog is different. You don't want to traumatize the dog, or the won't want to try it again.

Try going in from the bank with her/him on a leash.

[Billy Ray]