When can puppies dog paddle? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Laura · 07-09-2005, 09:44 PM

Does anyone know when puppies learn to swim? One of my babies fell in the pool today. Luckily he landed on the step and didn't go under. I have taken one into the pool - he didn't mind getting wet, but he didn't paddle his feet. They will be 7 weeks tomorrow, but they are getting so fast now, I am getting worried about the pool and the pond - two have rolled into the pond - they are so curious. I put up a fence for them today, cause it is so hard to get all five to the yard and keep them there. For safety's sake, I would really like them to be able to swim as soon as possible. They don't yet have the depth perception (or fear) not to walk off the edge.

LvMyYorki · 07-09-2005, 09:52 PM

Yikes! Laura that is scary! Sorry I don't know the answer to your question! I think its a great idea that you put the fence up though!

yorkieusa · 07-09-2005, 09:53 PM

I don't know what age they learn to swim, but that does not guarantee their safety. If they couldn't get out of the water, they would still drown. Besides, they tire very easily in water.

Laura · 07-10-2005, 05:56 AM

That is true, but I am always out there with them. I have had that problem with my older two. They have fallen in a couple of times each - once in the winter when it was freezing. The thing is, if they paddle for a second - you can hear them (if you didn't see them go in). I walked to the trash can yesterday, turned around and counted 4. I walked to the pool and Batman was on the step. I didn't even hear a plop. I took it as a heads up, won't happen again. I just wondered how long this might last.

Now that they follow me, I was thrilled I could walk them to the yard - now I'm back to carrying them to the cage - past the pool and pond - and they are too big for the basket I was using. They want to jump out, so I take them by two's. But the one's left behind start crying.

They are such a fun age! I love having them follow me everywhere, and all the kisses - sure makes a person feel loved.

Stitches29 · 07-10-2005, 06:05 AM

I for sure would not take any chances. Some Yorkies never learn to swim. Maggie is a swimmer. She can get in and out of the pool, but not the pond. There are no step for the pond, so I have to watch her very close. So far, all she wants to do, is hang over the side of the pond and look at the fish.

Laura · 07-10-2005, 06:18 AM

My older two like to eat the fish food when I feed the fish, they also drink from there. The pond edge is like a little jungle to the puppies. They like to dig through, then they roll in, but it has a ledge.

Hopefully they will all learn to swim, if not - I will probably have to find them a new home without water hazards. I would sure hate to jump in that pool in the winter to pull one out.

I got them a little walmart pool to practice water play, too. Maybe they will grow up loving water.

Jeniferlee · 07-10-2005, 06:40 AM

This might be a little off subject but does pool water hurt their skin at all? I would love to take Macy in the pool but I was afraid the chemicals might hurt her somehow. And I really don’t want to take her in Lake Michigan now b/c it is like green slime. (very nasty) She loves the beach but she isn’t so keen on the little waves of freezn’ green water.

yorkieusa · 07-10-2005, 07:34 AM

Laura,

Do be careful. Do you remember this story?

Pepper

I don't believe it hurts their skin. Just be sure to bathe them afterwards.

chattiesmom · 07-10-2005, 07:55 AM

Laura, you might take one of the pups and with it securely supported with your hand under it's belly, gently place it in the pool and see if it instinctly paddles. If so, slowly lower your hand and see what hapens.

Pools are very dangerous, even if they are strong swimmers, a pup lost in a pool would be similar to a human lost in a lake. Good luck!

alexandnugget · 07-10-2005, 08:27 AM

my breeder has an above ground pool with a deck connecting to her house, and her 3 adult yorkies loved the water. i just think 7 weeks is way to early, but if you start young i guess that would be better for them. we took nugget to the lake and he loved the beach and being able to run into the water. he had so much fun. good luck, i'd love to hear how it turns out!

chachi · 07-10-2005, 08:32 AM

My little Jewels is so funny. If I hold her above the water by our hot tub she will start paddling her little legs its so cute! Shes 5 months so I think it just comes to them naturally as they get older.

Olivier · 07-10-2005, 08:47 AM

It comes to them naturally , It is always better to stay on the safe side and supervise them .

Laura · 07-11-2005, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

Laura,

Do be careful. Do you remember this story?

Pepper

I don't believe it hurts their skin. Just be sure to bathe them afterwards.

Thanks! I didn't see it. Always a good reminder (I am so sorry sydney). A friend of mine told me of hearing splashing and strange noises next door. She climbed up the fence to see a neighbor puppy had fallen into the pool. The family was not home, so she climbed over and saved him.

I am careful, even with my adult dogs. But I know they swim and make a lot of noise. We always go outside with them. The pups are just beginning to scatter and follow. I walk them past the pool - one goes into the bushes. I go back to get him and all the others follow me back. I pick up the stray and all but one will come back to the yard. They are adorable, but it is getting to be a chore to take them out.

I was holding them in the water and no paddling. The littlest (who fell in the other day) was on the step and swam to me! I was so excited. The others haven't started, but I know it will be soon. I will take in one or two per day until they, hopefully, all swim. I put them in the little pool - everyone who can jumps out. The two smallest just cry. They don't want to get their little paws wet.

yorkieusa · 07-11-2005, 07:36 AM

Keeping track of one is hard for me. I don't know how you guys with more than one do it! Growing up, since 1959, we always had a little, LITTLE, dog and I know how fast they can go! Good luck, Laura. I know how cute they all must be running around! I'd like to see it myself!

Laura · 07-11-2005, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

Keeping track of one is hard for me. I don't know how you guys with more than one do it! Growing up, since 1959, we always had a little, LITTLE, dog and I know how fast they can go! Good luck, Laura. I know how cute they all must be running around! I'd like to see it myself!

Right now it is a lot of extra work. Zoe did most of the work the past 7 weeks, but she is passing them over to me. The last few days they are getting me up at 5:00am. Zoe is sleeping under our bed. It is still dark outside and they are ready to eat and poop. I sorta feel like another week or two and I will be a little more in control of things. Set up a schedule and such.

07-09-2005, 09:44 PM	#1
Laura Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wylie TX Posts: 1,506	When can puppies dog paddle? Does anyone know when puppies learn to swim? One of my babies fell in the pool today. Luckily he landed on the step and didn't go under. I have taken one into the pool - he didn't mind getting wet, but he didn't paddle his feet. They will be 7 weeks tomorrow, but they are getting so fast now, I am getting worried about the pool and the pond - two have rolled into the pond - they are so curious. I put up a fence for them today, cause it is so hard to get all five to the yard and keep them there. For safety's sake, I would really like them to be able to swim as soon as possible. They don't yet have the depth perception (or fear) not to walk off the edge. __________________ Laura--proud mom of Zowie, Bronx, Teddy Bear, Robyn, & Quattro http://www.yorkietalk.com/gallery/sh...00&ppuser=1851

07-09-2005, 09:52 PM	#2
LvMyYorki Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 1,181	Yikes! Laura that is scary! Sorry I don't know the answer to your question! I think its a great idea that you put the fence up though! __________________ Tara, Tino & Diva Bunny Diva Bunny: http://www.dogster.com/?141104 Rudolph Valentino: http://www.dogster.com/?76963

07-10-2005, 05:56 AM	#4
Laura Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wylie TX Posts: 1,506	That is true, but I am always out there with them. I have had that problem with my older two. They have fallen in a couple of times each - once in the winter when it was freezing. The thing is, if they paddle for a second - you can hear them (if you didn't see them go in). I walked to the trash can yesterday, turned around and counted 4. I walked to the pool and Batman was on the step. I didn't even hear a plop. I took it as a heads up, won't happen again. I just wondered how long this might last. Now that they follow me, I was thrilled I could walk them to the yard - now I'm back to carrying them to the cage - past the pool and pond - and they are too big for the basket I was using. They want to jump out, so I take them by two's. But the one's left behind start crying. They are such a fun age! I love having them follow me everywhere, and all the kisses - sure makes a person feel loved. __________________ Laura--proud mom of Zowie, Bronx, Teddy Bear, Robyn, & Quattro http://www.yorkietalk.com/gallery/sh...00&ppuser=1851

07-10-2005, 06:05 AM	#5
Stitches29 My Little Magwad Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 1,711	I for sure would not take any chances. Some Yorkies never learn to swim. Maggie is a swimmer. She can get in and out of the pool, but not the pond. There are no step for the pond, so I have to watch her very close. So far, all she wants to do, is hang over the side of the pond and look at the fish. __________________ "Texas Aggie's Maggie" (Brenda)

07-10-2005, 06:18 AM	#6
Laura Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wylie TX Posts: 1,506	My older two like to eat the fish food when I feed the fish, they also drink from there. The pond edge is like a little jungle to the puppies. They like to dig through, then they roll in, but it has a ledge. Hopefully they will all learn to swim, if not - I will probably have to find them a new home without water hazards. I would sure hate to jump in that pool in the winter to pull one out. I got them a little walmart pool to practice water play, too. Maybe they will grow up loving water. __________________ Laura--proud mom of Zowie, Bronx, Teddy Bear, Robyn, & Quattro http://www.yorkietalk.com/gallery/sh...00&ppuser=1851

07-09-2005, 09:53 PM	#3
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 8,841	I don't know what age they learn to swim, but that does not guarantee their safety. If they couldn't get out of the water, they would still drown. Besides, they tire very easily in water.

07-10-2005, 06:40 AM	#7
Jeniferlee Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: In da UP of Michigan Posts: 346	This might be a little off subject but does pool water hurt their skin at all? I would love to take Macy in the pool but I was afraid the chemicals might hurt her somehow. And I really don’t want to take her in Lake Michigan now b/c it is like green slime. (very nasty) She loves the beach but she isn’t so keen on the little waves of freezn’ green water. __________________ "Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times."-Anon

07-10-2005, 07:34 AM	#8
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 8,841	Laura, Do be careful. Do you remember this story? Pepper I don't believe it hurts their skin. Just be sure to bathe them afterwards.

07-10-2005, 07:55 AM	#9
chattiesmom Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,873	Laura, you might take one of the pups and with it securely supported with your hand under it's belly, gently place it in the pool and see if it instinctly paddles. If so, slowly lower your hand and see what hapens. Pools are very dangerous, even if they are strong swimmers, a pup lost in a pool would be similar to a human lost in a lake. Good luck!

07-10-2005, 08:27 AM	#10
alexandnugget Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: cleveland, ohio Posts: 147	my breeder has an above ground pool with a deck connecting to her house, and her 3 adult yorkies loved the water. i just think 7 weeks is way to early, but if you start young i guess that would be better for them. we took nugget to the lake and he loved the beach and being able to run into the water. he had so much fun. good luck, i'd love to hear how it turns out! __________________ I my Nugget! Visit Nuggets DOGSTER page here

07-10-2005, 08:32 AM	#11
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 23,103	My little Jewels is so funny. If I hold her above the water by our hot tub she will start paddling her little legs its so cute! Shes 5 months so I think it just comes to them naturally as they get older. __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

07-10-2005, 08:47 AM	#12
Olivier Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 2,883	It comes to them naturally , It is always better to stay on the safe side and supervise them .

07-11-2005, 07:36 AM	#14
yorkieusa Crazy about Kacee! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 8,841	Keeping track of one is hard for me. I don't know how you guys with more than one do it! Growing up, since 1959, we always had a little, LITTLE, dog and I know how fast they can go! Good luck, Laura. I know how cute they all must be running around! I'd like to see it myself!