Boxers and water

[TractorsMom]

Tractor is 6 months old now and when I take him out to visit my parents he gets to romp and stomp with the 2 labs, mastiff mix, and the 12 y/o peek a poo. Of couse Zues is there too.

The highlight of the day is for everyone to go down to the lake for a swim. The mastiff swims the whole lake. Everyone except Tractor gets in and plays. They all run through the shallow end of the lake and get plenty filthy.

Poor Tractor just sits and watches. Is there any hope that he will ever like the water? Poor baby just does not know what he is missing. I have decided that maybe if I wade through the shallows maybe he will figure it out. Any advice?

 

[gmacleod]

Yes, wading in the shallows may well help - especially if you have a favourite toy of his with you. If you're able to tempt him into getting his feet wet, he'll probably come to see it as no big deal. I wouldn't anticipate he'll join you quickly though - if he hasn't quite been brave enough to follow the other dogs in then he's probably quite uncertain. I suppose you could take him into the shallows on a leash, if you're particularly concerned about it. But chances are, he'll get there under his own steam eventually

 

[stickman]

have a idea

take its toy that is plays with all the time toss it out in the part it can touch and see if that works. good luck.

stickman

 

[nanci27]

When my pup was young he would'nt touch the water he hated. But all I did was chuck a toy in and he sat watching it tryng to find a way of getting it without going in but in the end he went in and he loved and I could'nt get him out!

 

[ton_chicka]

water

Roxi did not like water much. She is about 8 months old, is 'somewhat ' starting to like it a bit. When ever we used to go visit my parents, (they have our family golden retriever (abby)). Abby would go straight through mud puddles, Roxi would walk up to it, smell it, and walk around the puddle. Shei s pretty 'girly' haha.

When she was 7 months, we went swimming in the lake, and walked her in the water. She swim! Right to shore though, haha. But lately we have been spending more time at the lake, and ocean. Roxi has been ventureing around, and she is coming a little wet most of the time!

The other day, we were out on the beach behind my boyfriends mothers house. (which I had a had time keeping her from drinking the Salt water) Roxi was jumping rocks around the shore (water and sea-weed around most of these rocks) and she slipped in, her front paws, and she did not want to get her back legs wet. Her head was right under water, and she did not want to get her back legs wet, so she backed her way up the rock. No Idea how she did that hahaha

Roxi's good friend (boyfriends uncle has a black lab (Holly)) Holly loves the water, fetch, etc... Roxi watches.

Anyways, so I am in the same boat as you. I am just gonna try to not push her, but try to keep interested in the water.

 

[Az Boxr Lovr]

Hi. Joe doesn't really care for the water. He sees all the kids swimming in our pool ...and even our BT, but he won't go in. He will walk around the pool and watch, but he's not big on swimming. We did try getting him in with toys too, but it was a no go! Good luck!
Cheryl

 

[boxer373]

Ralph was the same wouldnt go any deeper than his belly. I would throw sticks in the river for him and he would walk along a part submerged tree to get them Im telling you theres nothing wrong with his balance only fell in a couple of times.

One of my friends has a dalmation called Clio and i think it was her that got him to swim in the end, Ralph just had to get that stick before she did.

Took him a while to get used to it mind you, it was abit like watching a paddle streamer coming in.

Now i cant get him out of the river he's not only swimming but jumping a good 6-8 feet into water to get a stick. he also puts his head under the water to look for a stick or ball.

I've got video on my phone of him doing this its so funny...Fearless

 

[henrysmom]

Henry was very unsure of the water, until this summer we rented a house with a pool for 2 weeks. DH carried Henry in with him and let him do the swimming motions whilst holding him under his belly. At first he seemed terrified, but after a few times he calmed down. When he did calm down DH let go of him and he managed, very ungracefully to get to the side. We did this every day for 2 weeks. Henry never wanted to go in on his own accord and would jump at DH to carry him.
About a month ago I took him to a lake. He nearly choked himself trying to get towards the water, and when I let him off leash he bounded straight in and swam beautifully. I thought he was never going to come back out!
So there is hope that your baby will eventually like the water. I think they really do want to get in, but you just have to wait till they are confident to do it themselves.

 

[Courtknee202]

I had to get in the water for Lucy to follow me, now she'll go in on her own! She doesn't like it when she can't see the bottom but it's getting better. Just use lots of treats/toys/bribes and coaxing!

 

[Dieselsmom]

It took Diesel and Hemi several tries to get them in, luring them with their toys, but once we did, look out.

Try treats and toys once he figures it out he'll probably love it.