*** Before you proceed with the second part of these instructions, please read Part 1.

The next time/day you are giving a swimming lesson to your dog/pup, you will start at the same depth. If you were at ankle depth previously, that is where you will start. It is the same methodology - you will be walking along the shore and having your left side towards the shore. You are talking calmly to the dog and providing it with treats occasionally when it is near. If (and please read your dog carefully) your dog is comfortable and enjoying itself, you can go slightly deeper into the water, as you go along the shore. You still want the dog to have its paws on the ground and allow the dog to keep its head above the waterline. Praise. Your dog/puppy is doing a brave thing to be with you. And remember, you still are wanting to create positive association with this experience for your dog. Praise - and call it a day.

There will be more for the next step. If you feel the dog is not ready to proceed, repeat this or the previous step. This is where you ‘read the dog’ and assess its readiness. Remember that this is not a race - and it is the dog’s decision about how quickly to proceed. As the kind, understanding owner, you must put your ego aside and listen to what the dog/pup is telling you.

Finally comes the day when you think your dog can try to leave ‘terra firma’ - the goal is paws off the ground. Now, it is important for you to judge the depth, depending on the size of your dog. It is a major step for the dog to leave the ground and use its paws to swim instead of walk. Encourage the dog - praise - be calm. Remember, it is the dog’s decision. It is deciding to be brave and to be with you. And, of course, there are those wonderful treats that you have. - It is a good idea to pick a day when there are not big waves. Your dog is leaving the security of paw-ground contact and you don’t want a strong wave to upset the progress.

Now, the first time that the dog is off the ground, it may panic. Some dogs just prefer to have paw-ground contact. If you see the dog panicking, do not try to grab hold of the dog and lift. You will cause further panic in the dog and you will have a thrashing dog in your arms, if indeed you can lift a wet, scared dog. Instead of lifting, push the dog towards shore. The dog will float. It is just panicking from not having its paws on the ground. Simply use one hand and push it towards shore. Be calm. You do not want to show the dog that you are panicked too.

Once the dog touches the ground, turn and go along the shore again. This episode is not something to cause an end to the lesson. Continue and treat it as a ‘non-incident’. If you treat it as such, the dog will too. - You do not want to end the lesson if the dog has a minor setback. The dog will learn quickly that if it panics, then whatever you are wanting it to do stops. This reinforces the dog for wimpiness. And it is just the opposite of what you want to teach the dog/pup. You want the dog to be bold.

Once the dog is using its paws to swim, praise. Praise enthusiastically. Praise sincerely. Tell your dog/pup how wonderful it is. That dog/pup has overcome a fear and wanted to be with you enough and trusted you enough to do so. Pup is swimming for you. Praise.

Give yourself a pat on the back, too. You have taken the time and listened to what your dog/pup was telling you. It will strengthen the bond between you and your dog - and that’s a major achievement.

Catherine Forsythe

[tags]dogs, pups, swimming, confidence, praise[/tags]