Hell No.. i won't go

[Jimbo B]

Here is a new pic of Moses


Moses has been a problem child, but ever since he learned how to swim he is much better.
He loves the water.
He goes under water, swims in the water without throwing something in.
Let's start with this problem /question ( not the hardest ,the hardest ones to come later)
I can't get him OUT of the water. How can I get him back on the leash .
Live in Pa..and I have been taking him swimming every day ( weather permitting) and water conditions
Swimming calms him down
He is obsessed with swimming.
I tried to have a couple of sticks get him out of the water, squeaky toy , chicken jerky.
All he wants to do is go back in the water.
Been practicing recall for months with high value treats
But when near the water I have no control over him
He will stay with you,,but if he thinks we are going he is back on the water
Any suggestion..?

[POPTOP]

How about putting him on a long lead? If you're worried about legs getting tangled in it, get some marine rope that floats and put a clip on one end. Practice recalls from the water.

[Jimbo B]

How about putting him on a long lead? If you're worried about legs getting tangled in it, get some marine rope that floats and put a clip on one end. Practice recalls from the water.

Thanks that NEVER crossed my mind
Got to do something cause it is getting out of control
It is also hurting in his regular recall training ( we took a couple of step backs)
When he is in the water I don't call him cause I will set myself up for failure
I have a 30 ft lead but the marine rope sound good ( just got to see where to purchase it)
Also have to be very careful of any branches or rocks,,that is why I was afraid of the lead

[LucyTudeOn4Feet]

maybe this is an idea you can work with. What about if you do some training or obedience work by the water and make swimming a reward?
Heel 20 feet, "good boy!" and immediately toss a bumper, let him fetch it.

No more "free" swimming for a while, and no more just plain swimming for the heck of it, always have a bumper, he fetches and returns it, you do another quick obedience exercise, and he gets his reward of another swim.

This gets him used to swimming under your control, and coming back to you regularly. He learns that coming to you doesn't mean the fun is over. Also, come will be one of the exercises you practice, and you practice and work up to a really reliable come, stay and heel over time and maturity.

You can work with him on a 6' lead, which he can wear into the water, and gives you a way to prevent him from entering the water if he hasn't complied. Believe me, he's smart enough to learn he doesn't get to swim if he doesn't behave if you do your part!

[Jimbo B]

You are a mind reader my friend
I was just coming back to this tread to give an update.
Tried the 30 food lead in the water...got him to come back..but he was uncontrollable (wanted to go in again)
He knows all the commands but goes CRAZY if he thinks he is going swimming
This is great advise..but it is going to be hard (like training wild stallion) ..I will work with him on this starting today
Any advise on how to make this training near the water easier. That I am not cursing under my breath..?
Never did I have a dog like Moses before
The little ship is my best looking one but the most trouble

[Halcyon]

I would judge where he listens to commands best and start from there. As he gets better at following commands, progressively move closer to the water. It's going to take time, patience and dedication but I'm sure you'll get there. Keep sessions short and end with a positive note.

[KenZ71]

How is his recall otherwise?

Maybe start out in a soccer field?

Of course, I can't say much. My Max will not come back unless he has been off running for a couple hours. Goober

Good luck!

[Jimbo B]

Hi Ken.
Since I am 61 yo...from day 1 I was practicing recall
Everyone wants their dog to come.
Tried to pick everyone's brains on recall ..
He was going good ( always had some homemade chicken jerky)
Was calling him only when I knew he would come
He was coming way over 60 percent of the time..almost 90% if he saw me waling backwards or side ways

Now it almost from the beginning (regular recall)


Swimming made him uncontrollable
Wish I had a pool in back of my yard

[4Thelove]

Nice pics of your boy. Just keep working with him, and give lots of praise when he does what you want him to do.

[Snowshoe]

At about 18 months my boy's fantastic recall failed. I got it back with North/South fetching which I morphed into a whistle recall. Now I can whistle, hand signal or yell COME and the recall is back. The reward is a throw of the ball. Food? Mere food treats? Doesn't cut the mustard but a throw of the ball does. I don't have to reward every time but I do have to reinforce frequently enough to not lose this recall so I carry two balls in my pocket and every now and then we'll just do some N/S for reinforcement and heck, just because it's fun and he likes it. Plus there's no way for me to proof against deer and wild turkeys popping up and a good recall off them deserves a super fantastic reward, lots of balls thrown. Worth a try? Won't likely work if swimming is higher value to him than ball chasing.