Swimming
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SouthernArt
Completely Boxer Crazy
We don't have a pool, but I do want Duchess to learn to like water and swimming. I've taken her to the lake once, and she didn't know what to think. Needless to say, she did NOT like the water. Maybe next time...
AMANDACAUSTIN
Boxer Booster
I don't have any tips on getting your dog to like the water, but as far as worrying about him falling in, you don't have to. It is a natural instinct for dogs to know how to swim. My boy did fall in when he was about 4 months old, needless to say I FREAKED!!! But he just started paddling along like a pro. Unfortunately he paddled right under the boat dock and I had to wait for him to come out the other side before I could grab him. I thought I was going to have a heart attack that day.
Ingrid Kotzen
Boxer Pal
I have ... but now it's winter
I put Bonzy in the pool when he was 10 weeks, because I was petrified that he would fall into the pool and not know what to do. I did not let him go the fist time - just held him under his tummy and tried to make it fun. The 2nd time i let him go for a short period, and just held him again. I did this about 7 times, and every time let him go on his own for a bit longer. But unfortunately now it's winter, so I hope he remembers by the time summer comes
I read somewhere you must put a flag where the steps are so they can associate the flag with the exit, and would know what to do if they fall in ..
Good luck and go slow ...
I put Bonzy in the pool when he was 10 weeks, because I was petrified that he would fall into the pool and not know what to do. I did not let him go the fist time - just held him under his tummy and tried to make it fun. The 2nd time i let him go for a short period, and just held him again. I did this about 7 times, and every time let him go on his own for a bit longer. But unfortunately now it's winter, so I hope he remembers by the time summer comes
I read somewhere you must put a flag where the steps are so they can associate the flag with the exit, and would know what to do if they fall in ..
Good luck and go slow ...
Our Boxer loathes the pool, but like you, we did want to make sure he knew where the stairs were so if he ever fell in, he could get out. My husband carried him into the water and sat with him in his lap on one of the steps and then gradually went all the way in, carrying him back and forth from the middle of the pool to the stairs and showing him how he could get his footing. However, when he let Riley go, Riley totally panicked and thrashed about before sinking like a stone. It has been 10 months now since that first try (and there have been many subsequent attempts) and the truth is, things are no better.
Now, it could be that we have simply been "blessed" with a particularly non-athletic and uncoordinated Boxer :o, but I would hesitate to agree that swimming is a natural instinct for all. Riley has fallen in twice now and both times he has gone down like a rock. Zero swimming ability. Thankfully, both times he fell in we were there and immediately went to the bottom to retrieve him. It makes my heart stop just thinking about it. I hope your pool is gated off....??
Having said the above, I should add that there are a number of Boxers on this board who are apparently excellent swimmers. Here's hoping Lou turns out to be another one! Good luck!
Now, it could be that we have simply been "blessed" with a particularly non-athletic and uncoordinated Boxer :o, but I would hesitate to agree that swimming is a natural instinct for all. Riley has fallen in twice now and both times he has gone down like a rock. Zero swimming ability. Thankfully, both times he fell in we were there and immediately went to the bottom to retrieve him. It makes my heart stop just thinking about it. I hope your pool is gated off....??
Having said the above, I should add that there are a number of Boxers on this board who are apparently excellent swimmers. Here's hoping Lou turns out to be another one! Good luck!
AMANDACAUSTIN
Boxer Booster
I guess you learn something new everyday...I tought pretty much all dogs just knew how to swim, but I guess not. The only dog I have had that couldn't swim was an English Bulldog, his tiny legs didn't get him anywhere. Sorry for the misinformation:o
For what it's worth, Amanda, up until I got Riley I would have agreed with you about swimming being instinctual. Our other dog is a Lab who lives in the water; I can't even begin to tell you the comments my husband made when it became clear to us that Riley would never be able to swim two feet without sinking! ("This is unbelievable! What kind of dog doesn't know how to SWIM?!!"):rolleyes: 
Knye2001
Completely Boxer Crazy
We've put both Baloo and Tiger in the pool and they loved it!!! It isn't one that they can necessarily fall into (above ground without a deck around it) so I don't really have to worry about that. They have jumped up into it a few times when we refused to lift them in!! That was interesting to say the least. But, Tiger is terrible at swimming!! He's fine when you have your hand under his belly, but once you let go, his butt starts to sink. He tries like mad to keep afloat, but I think his legs are too small for his large body!! Baloo on the other hand, just swims in circles like a pro!! Apollo has only been in the water once and it was rather cold. As soon as he realized he was in the water (chased after Baloo and a stick into the lake) he freaked out and came back to shore and then would only step in the water. I'm hoping to take him back to the lake to see what he does. I don't think the inlaws will ever let us put him in the pool since he's so big and none of us can really afford a new liner!!! Wish you the best of luck on at least getting him to know what to do when/if he does fall in!! It's just as important as teaching a child what to do when they find themselves in deep water if you ask me!!!
Katy
Katy
Tulsa-Dan
Your Friendly Moderator
I don't have a pool, but I take the girls to the lake and Maggie loves to swim. Susie isn't so fond of it, but she'll get in the water up to her belly and play. But she won't swim.
The way I got Maggie to swim was this: She LOVES sticks. She hasn't met a stick she didn't want me to throw and chase. So, I started tossing sticks into the shallow part of the water, where she could walk out, water to her belly, and she'd do so, and get the stick and run back into shore.
Then I gradually tossed it further until I was tossing it to where she had to actually swim to get it. She did, no problems. And she turned herself around in the water and swam back.
One thing I note is that she isn't the best swimmer in the world. And when she's tired, her little bottom sinks and she has to struggle and struggle, waving and slapping her front paws in the water to make it back to shore. So I always make sure not to do this when she's tired, so she'll have the strength to swim back.
If you have a pool, maybe tossing a tennis ball or floating ball of some sort that she likes to chase into the water and see if she'll go get it. Or maybe she's like Susie and just isn't interested in swimming at all.
Good luck.
The way I got Maggie to swim was this: She LOVES sticks. She hasn't met a stick she didn't want me to throw and chase. So, I started tossing sticks into the shallow part of the water, where she could walk out, water to her belly, and she'd do so, and get the stick and run back into shore.
Then I gradually tossed it further until I was tossing it to where she had to actually swim to get it. She did, no problems. And she turned herself around in the water and swam back.
One thing I note is that she isn't the best swimmer in the world. And when she's tired, her little bottom sinks and she has to struggle and struggle, waving and slapping her front paws in the water to make it back to shore. So I always make sure not to do this when she's tired, so she'll have the strength to swim back.
If you have a pool, maybe tossing a tennis ball or floating ball of some sort that she likes to chase into the water and see if she'll go get it. Or maybe she's like Susie and just isn't interested in swimming at all.
Good luck.
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