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05-07-2013, 04:47 AM | #1 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Netherlands
Posts: 1,072
| Want to start training Rufus to swim and retrieve Hi everyone, Now that the summer is coming and that Rufus is bigger, I want to start training him to jump in the water and retrieve toys. We donīt have a pool so I will do it at the dog park. Here in the Netherlands we have a lot of ditches (i'm hoping this is the right translation) and last time Rufus was a bit to curious and he jumped into the water for the first time, and he liked it! He wanted to jump again but I stopped him (got kinda nervous ). Next time I want to let him jump again and hopefully start training him to retrieve (bought some water toys ) But I wonder if it's necessary to buy him a dog life jacket. Last time when he jumped he did great and even got out himself (I was ready to help if needed) Thanks in advance
__________________ Mommy of Nena and Rufus |
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05-07-2013, 05:10 AM | #2 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Urbana, IL USA
Posts: 3,648
| I haven't taken mine out for a swim yet, but for small dogs, I'd use a life jacket just in case--I believe that small dogs are less buoyant than larger dogs. Here are a couple of articles: Pet Life Jackets -- Just Another Accessory or a Necessity? Knowing Dogs l Melanie Schlaginhaufen Dog Training : Life Jackets for Dogs? |
05-07-2013, 05:12 AM | #3 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Netherlands
Posts: 1,072
| Thank you for the links
__________________ Mommy of Nena and Rufus |
05-07-2013, 10:15 AM | #4 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Netherlands
Posts: 1,072
| I can't seem to find a nice life jacket I have only found orange jackets...so borig
__________________ Mommy of Nena and Rufus |
05-07-2013, 11:33 AM | #5 |
I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Posts: 37,147
| Fido floats have yellow ones too
__________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427 |
05-07-2013, 03:06 PM | #6 | |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Urbana, IL USA
Posts: 3,648
| Quote:
Amazon.com: life vests for dogs | |
05-09-2013, 04:01 PM | #7 |
Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland
Posts: 17,814
| How deep is the water? I like to use a lifejacket on Jackson; he's a GREAT swimmer but he likes the comfort of the jacket when jumping and it gives him confidence. My dad has a pool (in-ground in his yard) that he uses all summer and we're doing our first "official" dock diving this weekend. Jackson showed interest in water from a young age, even before the pool was open. So his very first summer, he was about 7 months, he never jumped in the pool at first. He would only lay on the steps and come swim when I helped him in. Then, I bought the lifejacket which gave him confidence. I used a blow-up raft and encouraged him to jump onto it, which he started doing, and I'd throw a toy in. He instinctively seemed to know to retrieve it. For two summers, he would jump onto the raft first, THEN jump into the water from the raft. Last summer, he finally began diving off the edges! I just always made it very fun and encouraged it, I also used food at one point to lure him in, and he realized how much he loved it.
__________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier |
05-09-2013, 04:10 PM | #8 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Netherlands
Posts: 1,072
| I'm not completely sure of how deep the water is, but it's definitely deep for Rufus To be on the save side I bought him a life jacket. I think he'll feel saver jumping with the life jacket. Hopefully it will get here tomorrow and the we can start practicing this Saturday (if the weather stays nice). There is an opening they made for the ducks and I can start teaching Rufus to go in the water trough the opening until he is confident enough to jump from the ledge. Thanks for telling me your story I have seem almost all videos of Jackson on youtube (I subcribed ) and I love watching him jump and swim! He is such a cuty and I told my boyfriend that he looks so much like Rufus (he can be his twin )!! I made this video the day he "fell" (it looks more like a jump). Here you can see how deep the ditch is. A lovely day at the park until ..... (don't miss the ending) - YouTube
__________________ Mommy of Nena and Rufus |
05-10-2013, 03:26 PM | #9 |
Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 9,462
| "GEMY" (Gail) has her babies trained to do competitive dock diving, and it is a wonderful thing to see!!! I have watched Brister's Jackson jumping into the water...such enthusiasm and blatent love of the water and what they are doing!! In a pool or a lake, I would feel confident, with a life jacket on my pup....I am not familiar with what the "ditches" are like.....are they canals or creeks or flowing water?...I just wanted to say be careful of any "Flowing" water....you wouldnt Rufus to jump in and get in any type of current and have hm float away! Sounds like you have a natural water retriever-dock diver in the making there in Rufus! |
05-10-2013, 03:40 PM | #10 | |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Netherlands
Posts: 1,072
| Quote:
There are ditches with currents and there are without. The one were I was last time is one without current I've seen the ones with current and they look scary for a small dog. I already bought him a life jacket to be on the save side I've seen other small dogs swimming where I'll be going so it seems save for small dogs, but I think I'll keep him on his flexi leash until he gets more experience
__________________ Mommy of Nena and Rufus | |
05-15-2013, 03:32 AM | #11 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Netherlands
Posts: 1,072
| The life jacket is here Now we just have to wait until the weather gets warm again.
__________________ Mommy of Nena and Rufus |
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