He wasn't quite a year old that spring. My first ever GSD Baron would have nothing to do with the water. This came as something of a shock to me as my previous three dogs, a Golden-Lab mix and two Chesapeakes, could hardly be kept out of it. At a local trout stream the water was apparently too cold and fast moving for Baron. A local pond had high banks and a muddy bottom. He didn't even go near it. Then finally, we went on a hike at a nearby state park. The park seemed abandoned in the spring with nary a person in sight. On the well groomed and sandy "no dogs allowed" beach Baron discovered a stick.
He decided to attack it!
Then I threw it in the water and he chased after it. Voila! He was swimming. Queen B looked astonished and then worried . I reassured her by mentioning that he was born knowing a basic swimming stroke. The "dog paddle." 
"You think Michael Phelps is good? Well look at me," says Baron.
Well now I have a new challenge. Lily our six year old (according to her vet) rescue female GSD. She doesn't play with toys, won't fetch, chew on bones and of course go near the water. Nada. She is extremely needy, devoted, loving, friendly to strangers and will attack any other dog on first sight. I'm working on that problem and also intend to begin swimming lessons soon. Many friends have assured me "you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Well, I've learned a few new ones in recent years and I hope Lily can do the same...:)
I can't blame Mrs. T for being worried about gators taking your precious Lily. But knowing you, she'll be swimming and enjoying it one day. :-)
ReplyDeletesorry about the dog attack thing. that's tough to manage as you often hike and go to parks and the like. my 4 are not socialized, but except for a trip to the vet, they don't go anywhere.
ReplyDeleteCan relate to your Miss Lilly completely. My new to me " eight year old dog" that I just adopted has the same behavior ways. And like you I am an experienced dog owner so hopefully I can change most of these behaviors. Would like to learn how to socialize my dog around other dogs. Humans, my dog loves. -- maybe there is a book out there. Where is the dog whisperer when you need him! Thanks for the good post! -- barbara
ReplyDeleteGood luck with that. Saw two dogs down by the river yesterday. One was having a great time in the water. The other ran back and forth on the shore.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I would have been afraid of alligators, too!
ReplyDeleteThank you for that hysterical comment you left! I laughed out loud!!!
Looking forward to the outcome of swimming lessons. My dogs loved the water, couldn't keep them out in fact. That is, until the warning sign appeared saying dogs must keep out because of rats. Not such a big creature as a croc but just as worrying. It ended up with us having to find water elsewhere.
ReplyDeletePerhaps Miss Lilly is wiser than you know and sensed crocs you couldn't.
ReplyDeleteHer no-toy rule is an odd quirk, though.
Finally have a moment to catch up (computer fixed)
ReplyDeleteYou had Chesapeakes? Fun dogs, great swimmers! Could stay in the water for hours! Got a pool for ours for days when we could not take her to the shore.
I LOVE P D James!
Now I want a wood duck box for my owls. I have flying squirrels in my bluebird box!
We, too, have our old rag rugs. My grandfather even made big ones for the house on a loom. He used to tell us what every piece used to be. Nobody makes them like that anymore. My bedroom has all hand braided rugs by my neighbor.
Our Lucy has never been swimming and I must admit we have never encouraged her to do so. Almost all our hikes involve passing by water and the thought of a wet dog every time we go out is no fun. She doesn't seem to mind and has never acted as if she wanted to go in the lakes. She does love the creeks, however.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling that you will be very successful. She is lovely.
ReplyDeleteHi Troutbirder. You certainly can teach an old dog new tricks. Over the years I've had many GSD's and none of them have been 'water dogs' like your retrievers but all of them did swim. The gator thing would bother me though. Many a dog has been victim to gators.
ReplyDeleteWhen it gets hot maybe she will feel more like a swim. Funny she doesn't like any of the things most dogs do, but great she likes to share your hikes with you.
ReplyDeleteSome dogs like to swim and others do not. Chance will when he has no other choice he prefers to keep his feet on the ground! Maybe Lily will swim one day maybe not. Aggression issues probably stem from where she was before she was rescued by your friends...hope that you see some improvement...it makes it hard to go anyplace.
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