Puppy Socialization (Swimming) in Winter

[cclawford]

i've been reading up on all sorts of articles and posts on BW. The puppy socialization article (http://www.boxerworld.com/forums/view_puppy-socialisation.htm) tells me that when my pup is 11 weeks old, I should take her swimming (gasp!). We definitely want Cindy to feel comfortable with swimming since our house is actually by a river. However, how am I supposed to do that in the middle of winter with a boxer? Any suggestion?

Thanks,
Rina

 

[ehayes21]

I wouldn't worry about it, just wait until it's warmer.

 

[gmacleod]

LOL - I think you probably need to apply a certain amount of interpretation when it happens you live in a very cold place and your puppy is a puppy during the winter On the other hand, I wouldn't just leave it until the weather warms up either. The point the article is trying to make is that it is actually important to expose young puppies to a wide range of situations and experiences, most especially those that they're likely to encounter later in life. This helps to create well-balanced, socialised individuals who're not going to get excited, fearful or anything else over new and strange things but rather approach them in a confident and outgoing manner.

In the actual case of water, if its freezing cold outside it's not going to be a great experience for the pup to go diving into a river. But socialising her with positive experience in water is still a good idea. Possibly this could be achieved with warmish water in the bathtub or shower - it's not quite the same, but water games can still help in terms of creating positive associations and dispelling any fear of water.

 

[ELubas]

I got my last girl in winter and she did not get in the water unitl spring-so she was about 6 mos old, but I hooked her up with a Newf and she learned to swim and loved it all her little life. The following winters I had to keep her out

 

[cclawford]

Thanks! I figured as much that the rules are not written in stone, but it seems that every article talks about the period of fear and fright which seem to last forever once she reaches 17 weeks. I'm such a newbie but I'm glad there's hope for my baby to get in the water with us come this summer! Must find Cindy a water buddy!

Rina

 

[Goodgirl]

In the actual case of water, if its freezing cold outside it's not going to be a great experience for the pup to go diving into a river.

Tell that to my crazy pup! There is a wading pool outside that still has water in it from some fish I had out there last summer. He never got in it during the summer, but I looked out the other day and he was sticking his head underwater and running around like a mad dog with temps in the low 40's.
He never fails to surprise me!

 

[ELubas]

Thanks! I figured as much that the rules are not written in stone, but it seems that every article talks about the period of fear and fright which seem to last forever once she reaches 17 weeks. I'm such a newbie but I'm glad there's hope for my baby to get in the water with us come this summer! Must find Cindy a water buddy!

Rina

They do go through a couple of fear periods but as long as you do not baby them too much (hard I know) and reward them for being brave it usually has no lasting effect and if your other pup swims I bet yours will want to join in the fun. Your baby is beautiful by the way

 

[bigboychief]

We socialized our Chief by taking him to the dog park, kid parks, and my son's daycare very frequently. If you let him play with other dogs at an early age, he will get along with other dogs when he is older. By taking him to the kid park and daycare, he was exposed to kids and will now let any kid or adult play with him.

Chief is very docile around other dogs now and will only react if another dog is aggressive towards him. He does not bark or growl at other dogs

The only time he has been slightly aggressive towards a human in the 2 years I have had him is when I was home alone with him and an a/c repairman came over. I think Chief was nervous about me being alone with a stranger. He just growled and made sure the guy knew he was there!

 

[babybubbas]

In my area we do have a local pet place that they board dogs, groom them, train them etc and they just built an indoor pool for dogs. Not sure if there is something like this is your area or not. My bubbas birthday is coming up and I am thinking of bringing him here as he loves to swim. good luck!