I have 3 Shelties, only one likes the water, Matlock lives to ride the jet ski, so since he does like the water, I got him a doggie life vest from Ruff Wear. When Matlock has his vest on, he knows he can get in the water and not have to do much swimming, he just floats around and paddles a little. I suggest to all if you are near the water with your Sheltie, get him,her a doggie vest and you will not have to worry about them falling in especially in the winter.
Shelties and Water!
- Thread starter BarbV
- Start date
romeosangiovese
Forums Enthusiast
We have that life vest too! Romeo hated the water and would freeze up when he's in the pool but now, while he's not jumping into the pool with abandonment, he's swimming on his own, doing u-turns, barking while swimming and trying to eat floating treats. Took 4 sessions, alot of coaxing and treats and building his confidence in the water. It was important not to push him and overwhelm him too far too fast. Too much stress and he shuts down more, so we took our time but he's like Michael Phelps now - he does laps!
Ann
Moderator
What a scary story, Barb! Even if Indy did figure out how to swim, you'd have to worry about the current. Our Sheltie Bandit once tried to walk across the pool cover at our neighbor's house and it ripped and he fell in. He was not happy! My son who was there rescued him. Not every Sheltie is a water dog. Good luck with the lesson!!
Swimming and the Beach
Sage loved the ocean from the git-go. When he was about 10 or 12 weeks old we took him to the beach. He wanted to follow me anywhere so I had to stay wading and he absolutely loved it. Buggs loves the water hose and sprinklers. He becomes obsessed when he starts chasing the sprinkler head. Oh, I forgot, Just before Sage passed away, I was in the shower in the mud-room and to my surprise he ambled in as if to say, "What's happening Pop?'
"Pass the soap!"------Of course I can't say why he did that but believe he was trying to tell me something.
But to all of this fun, We have to stay on top of the ear-matting when they get wet.
Sage loved the ocean from the git-go. When he was about 10 or 12 weeks old we took him to the beach. He wanted to follow me anywhere so I had to stay wading and he absolutely loved it. Buggs loves the water hose and sprinklers. He becomes obsessed when he starts chasing the sprinkler head. Oh, I forgot, Just before Sage passed away, I was in the shower in the mud-room and to my surprise he ambled in as if to say, "What's happening Pop?'
"Pass the soap!"------Of course I can't say why he did that but believe he was trying to tell me something.
But to all of this fun, We have to stay on top of the ear-matting when they get wet.You can almost read Indy's mind.... "And-ah 1, and-ah 2..."
Pretty scary, though, with such deep, fast water.
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
Yeah, I think the important thing is to teach him how to get back to shore.
Even with a life-vest, the current would sweep him downstream very quickly. Yes, he would be afloat, but he would be long gone and into boat traffic after that.
The key is to work with him to see if he can manage the safe swim back. And to bark if he's in trouble (it's funny that he didn't! Maybe he didn't realize the trouble he was in?)
And failing that, he'll just have to be tied.
Even with a life-vest, the current would sweep him downstream very quickly. Yes, he would be afloat, but he would be long gone and into boat traffic after that.
The key is to work with him to see if he can manage the safe swim back. And to bark if he's in trouble (it's funny that he didn't! Maybe he didn't realize the trouble he was in?)
And failing that, he'll just have to be tied.
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
You can almost read Indy's mind.... "And-ah 1, and-ah 2..."
Yes, my heart leaps everytime I see him leaning over like that. And this picture was taken on the inside dock which is only 6 feet deep and no current!
corbinam
Moderator
Lake question
I never really thought about all of this stuff before! We are going to the lake in a couple weeks and are bringing Bentley. I had planned on buying him a life jacket, especially for in the boat. Should I be worried about the water traumatizing him or anything? Or can I just put him in and allow him to get used to it? We've been to the dog park which has a little lake, but he just goes in where he can stand to cool off. I don't want to scare him. Thoughts?
I never really thought about all of this stuff before! We are going to the lake in a couple weeks and are bringing Bentley. I had planned on buying him a life jacket, especially for in the boat. Should I be worried about the water traumatizing him or anything? Or can I just put him in and allow him to get used to it? We've been to the dog park which has a little lake, but he just goes in where he can stand to cool off. I don't want to scare him. Thoughts?
BarbV
Forums Celebrity
I wouldn't worry too much in your situation.
My situation is very unique. I have a cottage on a island with two very large docks. One is in fairly shallow water with no current and one in very deep water with lots of current.
We like to sit out on our big dock (the one with deep water) to swim and at sunset. This dock has no obvious shore access for the boys, but normally they just sleep under our deck chairs. Except for this weekend.
In your situation, it wouldn't hurt to have a lifevest, but I did discover that Indy can swim quite well. He just couldn't scale a 4 foot dock wall, nor climb a swim ladder meant for humans.
If you are simply boating, I think he'd be fine.
My situation is very unique. I have a cottage on a island with two very large docks. One is in fairly shallow water with no current and one in very deep water with lots of current.
We like to sit out on our big dock (the one with deep water) to swim and at sunset. This dock has no obvious shore access for the boys, but normally they just sleep under our deck chairs. Except for this weekend.
In your situation, it wouldn't hurt to have a lifevest, but I did discover that Indy can swim quite well. He just couldn't scale a 4 foot dock wall, nor climb a swim ladder meant for humans.
If you are simply boating, I think he'd be fine.
romeosangiovese
Forums Enthusiast
If your dog freaks out in the water (and paddles like he's drowning), he probably won't bark. He'll need to get more confident in the water before he'll open his mouth!! Once he's comfy in the water, you can teach him to bark for help but how to do that, I'm not sure.
Corbinam, I agree with Barb. You won't have to worry too much but do get a lifejacket for your dog when you take him boating in case he falls over. Even good human swimmers need lifejackets! If you can get him used to paddling around while you're at the lake, that'll be good for him! Just remember that lots of treats and praise really helps for a positive experience for the dog.
Corbinam, I agree with Barb. You won't have to worry too much but do get a lifejacket for your dog when you take him boating in case he falls over. Even good human swimmers need lifejackets! If you can get him used to paddling around while you're at the lake, that'll be good for him! Just remember that lots of treats and praise really helps for a positive experience for the dog.