Hey
im just wondering if anyone has any good advice on trying to get my Thiago to be confident around and in water like pools and beaches?
i want him to have fun in these sort of surroundings like sum of the other huskys on here that iv seen photos of.
Thanks

I think its his youth that holds him back. When we got Adobo she dreaded the water until about a year and a half ago. Now we can't keep her out of it.

Biko at at 2+ years hates to get even his paws wet I'm expecting him to out grow this within the next year or so.

Some dogslike water some don´t. I wouldn´t force him to like it.

I think it depends on the dog. Mya LOVES IT and Kody is ehhh about it

I wouldn't force the issue but here are a few things I learned.

1. Throw their favorite (float-able) toy in the water.
2. A lot of dogs are scared of swimming pools (clear water and steps)
3. A lot of dogs are scared of moving water (ocean, rapids, etc)
4. Exposure is better on a hot day (incentive) and with shallow water (kiddie pool) or sloping shoreline.

Hope this helps.

both of mine could care less about water and will walk in to their knees for a drink and get right out. no playing for them.

don't force it and Brian gave some good started tips

Definitely don't force it, it will make him more fearful. Kale didn't always like his kiddy pool, but he loved digging in his water bowl. I got in the kiddy pool first and started digging in the water and he got excited and jumped in, now I can't keep him out. I took him to the lake for the first time with he was 4 months with no intention of getting him in the water, just to go boating (which he loved) and he ended up jumping in all by himself, but ended up scaring himself, I think because he thought it would be like his pool with a bottom. What eventually got him swimming when he was a year old was me going out in the water and going underwater so he couldn't see me. My dad said he ran for the shore and jumped right in and started swimming to me, eventually he got more confident. He still won't go out in the water by himself, he wants/needs something or someone to be swimming out to. It's a gradual process but like everyone has said don't force it. Start small with a little kiddy pool, it's all about building confidence. But if he just isn't having it, don't push him.

Cheyenne was terrified of the lake when she was a little pup and Odin didn't want to be anywhere near the water when I first got him! While I don't think I "forced" them into the water, I certainly did pressure them. Cheyenne I just waded out into the lake and would call her in from shorter distances and then gradually increase the distance and give her all sort of praise and lovies and kisses when she came out to me. Soon, she would go in without me!

Odin was a little more difficult. He still doesn't love the pool but the lake and the pool at the water event he didn't mind at all! For him I put a leash on him and would just apply pressure on the leash until he would take a step towards me in the water then i'd immediately stop pulling but wouldn't give enough slack for him to get back out. I praised him and gave him cookies and then would release him. It was much easier to get him into the doggy lake than the pool. FWIW, my dogs hate the beach lol

Libby hates bathes, but cant keep still when her pool comes out and I start filling it. She will never lay in it, same with the lakes, paws and legs only or she will shove her head under to get a rock, but no swimming. She walked out once and hit a drop off went under and has been scared since. I have tried but if she doesn't want to I am not going to force it. I'm not the greatest swimmer either and don't want a situation where i have to try and save a panicing dog. Just be paitient and praise.

wow thanks guys!
think il try ur advice brian then mayb try the pressure thing if not il just have to be patient and see if he'l explore it later on in life.
thanks heaps people!

just a wee update.
thanks to all of you guys advice Thiago now loves the water and willingly runs in every chance he gets to play
heres a pic and video
[img]

yay for going in the water. Maggie hates pools she will go in beaches and lakes but pools not so much!

Yay! That's awesome, thanks for the update.

YAY! I'm glad that he is having fun in the water! Loving the zoomies at the end!

haha yeah me to. i think he was proud of him self so thought an out burst was needed lol

Neo thinks he is toogood for the water . Although when he comes inside with muddy paws ans I tell hum tub, he will go to the bathroom and jump in the tub by himself lol.

oh really lol nice! Thiago may like the water now but when it comes to bath time he will stand still the whole time with his ears down looking awkward