Re: Swimming

In Reply to: Swimming
Category:   Behavior Problems
Posted by:  Diane Kauffman
Posted on:  May 29, 2002 at 08:42:35

: I have a 1 1/2 year old female JRT. Now that the pool is open we have been swimming once. She swims pretty good but cries the entire time. If no one is in the pool she's fine. If someone enters the pool she runs around it wanting to jump in but doesn't and screams her little head off. Also while she is in the pool she bites at the water and doesn't want anyone to touch her. I think she believes the water is trying to hurt us and doesn't know how to handle it. She only swam once late last year when I(mom) swam in the pool and she reacted the same as now. Before that she only was held in the water by her grandfather. I would appreciate any help so swimming would be enjoyable for everyone.

Response:

Dear Diane,

It sounds like your terrier doesn't like and/or is afraid of the water. Running around the pool but not jumping in, biting at the water and not letting you touch her...that seems to be more about her being "hurt" then you guys. :-)

Making the experience enjoyable for everyone means first helping her get over her fear. I suggest you first start by sitting on the edge of the pool with your feet in the water and let her come to you. When she's comfortable with that, get in the pool but stay at the edge with her; don't coax her to get into the water. Eventually, you (or Grandpa!) can try holding her in the water so she feels safe. You get the idea.

This will have to be done slowly and carefully. Don't move on to the next stage without being confident in her confidence first. While re-training her, you should keep her confined in her crate in the house so she can't resort to her old behavior.

Some dogs just don't like the water, Diane, so it may be that your terrier won't ever do laps with you. :-) The first part of the training should help her accept that it's okay for you to be in the water even if she isn't.