Suggestions please. Ashima is almost 6 months. We live in an urban area and the land of 10,000 lakes. The lakes I have access to have beaches, and I’m happy to sneak in early morning, but right now the water is too cold for most humans. Obviously Ashima will want to/need to swim. Her recall is spotty at best but were working on it. Should I take her anyway and just let her get her feet wet at this point? I had to get in a bit with my other lab until she got the hang of it. I’m expecting the same. And there’s the recall issue - can’t have her going too far out. Thank you.
Your other lab can lead her in. Just let them play on the shore in a safe gentle sloping beach she'll go in when she's ready. She may take a while and just dip her toes and paddle. Go when she's hungry and take lots of nice treats to encourage her in or out. Keep it fun and as stress free as possible just build her confidence slowly.
Our approach was to let our dogs wade in shallow water very early, say 8-10 weeks. If they wanted to go in deeper they could and usually did. Assuming they retrieve on land, one way to get them really swimming is to toss a tennis ball in a little further. They can stand a lot colder water than most humans. Our dogs often swim in water I would not go in, but they do need a chance to warm up when they get out. That may be nothing more than running, depending on the weather. While most Labs love to swim, occasionally we hear about one that does not like it. That's OK too.
The water was all frozen here until recently. I’ll make it a point this weekend to swing by some open water.
Just go careful how long they stay in the water, especially seeing as though it has been frozen. They can get ‘frozen tail’ which my girl has had numerous times and it’s very painful.
I think frozen tail AKA Limber Tail may have more to do with time than temp. Our first Lab got it in water that we could swim in, but she was in it playing for a long time. Gingers was not that bad, or at least she didn't complain, but she looked sad with her tail hanging down. Tilly has been in partially frozen ponds and did not get Limber Tail, but she was not in for very long.
Are you in MN? We are too! My lab got limber tail after swimming right after the ice went out. He swam again recently and was fine. There are (small) enclosed bodies of water at dog parks, I know.
If the water is too cold for me to walk in tennis shoes, it is too cold for pup. I usually wait until the day is hot and water is warmest in late afternoon. Pup usually follows adult lab and then its no big deal from pups perspective. If pup is forced, or the water is cold, not a rewarding experience for pup.
I I am in MN! I’m in the cities. Which dog parks? I tend to not love dog parks since not all the dogs (and owners) are well socialized but there are some weekdays I can get there when they are not too crowded.
I'm also in the cities area! I agree, dog parks always make me nervous. My dog LOVES playing with other dogs and I don't have many friend with dogs so sometimes dog park is the best way to get him some socialization and off leash running. I'm spoiled and the veterinarian I work with lives on a lake, so he swims there. We have gone to Rice Creek dog park which has some water, not enough that they have to really swim though. I'd have to look up which others have the best swimming since this is our first warm season with my lab and we haven't explored them all yet! I really like Battle Creek for their trails and Otter Lake isn't bad and had some water (I may be mixing them up but I remember going when it was colder and worrying my lab was going to fall through the melting ice).
Another Minnesotan here, southern part. My only advice is to go slow. Some dogs love water and some not so much. The black, Rex, is a natural dock jumper. Jumped 26 feet at Game Fair and was almost 3 feet from end of dock. And we only do it here and there and don't Live by water. Zeke is 18 months and doesn't like to jump in, but swimming more every time we are around water. He loves splashing in a tub in our yard, think cow tank from farm supply store. If you haven't already check out Game Fair in Anoka in August. Geared to hunting but lots for us regular dog lovers. If you see a wire haired griffon in Battle Creek say hi. It could be my mom. Lol. One last thought... Some lakes in southern Minnesota have an algae that is not good for dogs, has been fatal in some instances. Ask your vet where the line is these days.
I live in northern MN Legend 11mos started going in the water here 2wks ago. Yes it is cold but he loves it. No problems with his tail. Last fall he wouldn't go in at all I left him alone I would take him with my other dogs and he didn't follow any one in this spring he didn't need any coaxing he just jumped right in. If recall is a problem I used a 100 ft long line with my golden when he was a pup. worked great.
