Can your dobe swim?

[apollo]

Most dobe's are born with the ability to swim. But it's getting them in the water thats a problem there is a couple of ways to do this you can try throwing sticks and stuff but that usually never works.
There is a Shepard at our campground (he is a couple of months older) that loves to play with Apollo and he can swim so we brought them to the lake to play away from all the people (a larger area for them to run and play). The first time Apollo was hesitant to go in the water, he would only put his front paws in the water and bark at the other dog as if to say " hey get out of the water and play with me ".
The second day I think Apollo knew that the Shepard was not going to get out of the water and finally went in to play with him.
The third day we started throwing sticks while he was in the water and he would go a little farther each time to get the sticks until he could not touch the bottom so he had to swim a little (they will not go far until they are comfortable) and he kept going a little farther each time (By the way this just happened this weekend). The other way you can try and I've heard many people tell me this, is to get in the water with your dog, you only have to go in to your knees he will feel more comfortable with you in the water and eventually be more comfortable going in by himself and swim. I did not try this But probably would have if he didn't find a swimming buddy.Now try getting him out of the water. So good luck to both of you and it is great exercise and keeps him very cool on the hot days.

[Rich S]

Magnum went right in the water the first time we took him. It was funny because he ran in not knowing what it was.

We live by a river so he's in the water a few times a month.

[jelly8bean]

Swimming? Ackkkk! My red baby will not even go out in the rain, much less get her paws wet in a puddle. She is like a cat that way. Not sure with my new blue baby.. she is kind of a relaxed animal and might do it..

[apollo]

I didn't even realize until you just said that about the rain because Apollo doesn't want to go out in the rain either but he will swim maybe its' because he doesn't know were the rain is coming from?

[reddobe]

Not sure, good question really.

[RedDobeLuvr]

Any better luck with getting your Dobe in the water? My Dobe has never liked swimming. She is now about 1 1/2 yrs old. When she was a pup, I lived at a house with a pool... she was afraid to even go near it. I don't think she liked the whole swimming thing and not being able to touch bottom. I know she is not afraid of water.... she loves to go in the rain and will playfully bite at a sprinkler. Recently, my Dobe has gotten into a baby pool filled with water. I was amazed! I think after seeing other dogs do it, she finally got brave enough. She will get in the lil pool and dig at the water. That's all so far. But it's something!

[SSG Knopp]

We went with the "get in the water with your Dobe Approach" It took a while to get her comfortable with the water. Still doesn't swim, but loves the water.

*Note*
If you take your pooch to a lake, make sure it has a gentle slope in the water. we had to learn the hard way. She was having tons of fun running around in the shallows, but took one step too far and sank like a rock, head and all. BIG SCARE. I pulled her out and she was fine, but we definitely had to re-learn to trust the water.

[DynamicDuo]

My puppy has not had to opportunity to swim yet, but Samantha only likes to wade around in the water. Both dislike the rain, I usually end up dragging them out to do their business if it's raining. Although they don't mind snow........Go Figure!