How do I get Milo into the pool?

[TT120]

Tried to get Milo to go swimming with me this weekend. He was NOT having it. How can I get him to go into the pool?

[Jodysh]

I'll be interested to see what people say here

My labradoodle - when he was maybe 1? Dove into my cousin's swimming pool after his ball...and promptly freaked out. At first I was like oh well I guess he isn't going to have a problem with getting in the water. LOL.

So anyway - there is a place near where we live called Here Buoy! that I take him to now and our big fat wiener dog goes too. The lady who runs it is fantastic and I'm glad I discovered it. She's got Mal swimming like a fish now and Hershey is getting some great exercise. I was thinking we should take Gambit (our pup) there as well to introduce him to the water and let him get started with a positive experience

[arentspowell]

Pools can trip up even the most water-loving labs. I think the fact that they can't just walk in like a natural body of water confuses them a little bit.

The key is to not force them and just try to encourage them in with something really high value. Is it an above or in ground pool? If it's an in ground, if you can just get them to go onto the first step they should get it in no time!

[JenC]

When we had access to a pool, and Grace was a pup. I picked her up in my arms, went into the pool. At about 6 ft. from the steps out, I stopped and faced her to the steps and let her swim her way to get out. Did that a few times. Next time we were at a pool, it wasn't a problem. Ponds and rivers never seem to bother them.

[doubledip1]

I did the exact same thing as Jen. I picked them up, went in, let them swim to get out. After they learned how to get in and out, it was no longer an issue.

[TT120]

Unfortunately, Milo does not allow me to pick him up. He's pretty adverse to being touched. No cuddles for me.

[Labradorks]

Sam, who is not at all scared of water and is a great swimmer, was pretty freaked out by the pool and initially needed a helper. Might want to start with a body of water that is easy in, easy out, and gradual. Also, if you have water-loving friendly dogs he can run around with, that might help, too. Linus' first swim was racing Sam out to a ball I threw in a lake.

[BaconsMom]

Bacon learned to swim in a lake, and we just both got in the water and had his favorite toys. he swam inbetween us no problem.

[JenC]

Unfortunately, Milo does not allow me to pick him up. He's pretty adverse to being touched. No cuddles for me.

Remember, Milo doesn't run the show. As a puppy, he can't be jumping in an out of a car on his own. When he goes to a vet, he might need to be on a table. I am not saying you have to hug the crap out of the dog if he doesn't like it, but you need to retrain him to allow touching. A dog that doesn't allow touch could never pass a CGC.

[Java]

I had a dog (shep/lab X) who was anxious about a lot of different surfaces and she wasn't fond of stepping in water. Took her to a local dog pool where the a staff member slowly introduced her to the pool (they started with a PFD before going without). They had to go slower with her because she didn't have a strong toy drive but they still got her swimming in the first session. She ended up becoming a great SUP pup. My current dog loves water. When I took him to try dock diving, the trainer said some dogs need time getting used to pools because the bottom is typically quite bright, not dark like open water. I don't know if that's true but it's what she told me.