Dog won't stop swimming!

[katia815]

I have a dog I'm training that won't stop swimming.. no joke. The dog loves the water and the problem is that I can't get him to stop swimming once he gets in. He has to be retrived by boat. He seems to zone out and will not respond to voice or whistle commands. Any suggestions? Keeping him away from water is not an option as we're on an island.

[Laura]

Keeping him away from water is not an option as we're on an island.

Oh yes it is, it is called a leash . Keep him on one at all times and it won't be an issue anymore.

[katia815]

We've tried the leash option but we get tired of swimming long before the dog does.

Does anyone have a more helpful and serious answer?

This is not a joke, it's a serious problem as we're concerned that the dog may drown or get run over by a boat. We are trying to correct a behavioral problem not mask it with simple solutions that restrict the dogs freedom.

[ladyarya]

Maybe I'm crazy, but I don't see how that wasn't a helpful or serious answer.

I live in an apartment complex on a canal off the Indian River. The canal is HUGE and all the dogs swim in it. Every single one of them is on a 20ft lead with their owners standing on the dock so if they don't respond to the call to come out of the water, they can be brought back in.

If it works for the one or two hundred dogs that live on this property (and that's probably a low estimate) I don't see how it wouldn't work for you as well.

[BeTrue]

I agree with both Laura and ladyarya. Laura gave a very serious answer..maybe it was very plain and simple, but thats what it is...a VERY simple solution. ;D

I had a lab who LOVED to swim. He was constantly in it any chance he got. I bought a 25 ft. leash and practiced recalls in and out of water. Since your dog isn't responding to your recall in the water, theres no other solution BUT to keep him leashed. You may want to start off with a 10 ft. leash and practice recalling him. If he doesn't respond, give a very slight tug on the leash and repeat. Praise as he comes swimming back and reward with the most yummiest treat you can find.

Since your dog has no manners and doesn't seem to care a thing about what you guys have to say (he's learned that when you call for him, it means he gets some more swimming time..how cool!), leashing is the ONLY option you have for now. Eventually, you can lengthen the leash and perhaps eventually teach him to fetch and come on command without one.

[Nicole]

I also agree. You don't have a water problem, you have a recall problem. Your problem is the same as if you were on land. Your dog isn't trained to come when called. The solution is a lead until he is reliable. Follow Betrue's advice on this. Also train your recall on land as well as in the water. Your dog should never be in a position to ignore you. That is what the lead is for. He may never achieve reliability off lead. It takes alot of dedicated training to achieve 100% off leash reliability. I train this everyday and still i don't trust my dog 100%. Consequently he is not allowed off lead in high distraction zones....yet.

[Richard]

How about this:

When you say it's time to come out of the water, that means NOW, not when he wants to!

You decide when the dog goes in and goes out. If you feel this is a restriction then there is no real solution other than continuing with what you've been trying to date (rescue by boat ect.).

You care about your dog and that is good but caring also means responsible handling and that includes having control of your dog at all times.

You are in the right frame of mind; just don't think you're denying him anything if you want to leave the water before he does...it's your call and he has to learn to listen the first time when you say "lets go". This is nothing different than a dog beside a busy highway (as Nicki aluded to)...you need a solid recall so that your dog understands you want him here beside you now!


-Richard

[katia815]

Thanks to all, your comments have been very helpful. I don't want to seem ungracious to the first response but it seemed a bit harsh and did not elaborate which is why my second post asked for (and received) more helpful information. I'm new to this forum stuff so please be patient with me.

[FlatCoatedLover]

If this dog is an obsessive swimmer it could be a psychological condition. I know a dog who would continue to swim until he was exausted. This dog was treated with an anti-anxiety or anti-psychotic medication and kept away from the water. Their dog would stand by the door and whine and bark for hours on end to get outside to the lake or pool. If he ever got out without a leash he would jump in the lake or pool and swim until some one would physically go in and get him. They felt that he was not able to get enough exercise and off leash time because of his water obsession so they moved from their beautiful house on a lake with a pool to one that was far away from water and had a fenced yard. After careful conditioning they can allow him to have a kiddy wading pool but he can still not handle being near large bodies of water. If this is the case it can be managed but it takes a lot of persistence and some sacrifices.

[Willow]

I agree with keeping a line on the dog until he is trained to come, because as Nicki said...the dog doesn't have a water problem, he has a recall problem.

However, that said, imagine your dog swimming and his head being so close to the water. If this dog is not used to swimming he could have the problem of becoming confused as to which way you are calling from, and can't see you if he is a distance out. All the more reason to keep a line on him to guide him back to you when you call.

One word of caution, however. Be careful so the dog does not become tangled in the line, which is potentially very dangerous.

[frankie]

I really feel your pain, we have a 2 year old from the animal shelter that has the same issue and it IS an obsession.  We're reading about animal obsession and anxiety because he becomes an entirely different dog around the water.  We live near a very large river and cannot take him within sight of it or have him off a leash anywhere around water.  He is completely unable to focus on anything else, he starts whimpering and whining in a highly anxious state and will not respond to ANY commands at all.  He is highly food motivated, but when he's in the water, even delicacies like fresh smoked ham cannot coax him out.  It's so frustrating because he is a great dog that is well trained and well behaved in every other respect.  I've tried everything I can think of but it continues to be a problem.
I don't have any good solutions for you, but I do sympathize.  We also live out in the country and a constant leash just isn't an option.  This has led to some messy incidents with spring water holes but I'm not condemning my dog to living his entire life being tied up.  We're reading everything we can right now and it looks like we might have to resort to medication, I love the big clumsy goof and I want to be able to enjoy the water with him.  
Maybe try read about obsessive compulsive disorders in dogs? Sounds ridiculous but you might find some helpful information.

[katie]

First, thank you for posting your issue!  I searched everywhere looking for an answer to this same problem.  My dog's recall is really good off leash EXCEPT when it comes to water.  We go to an off leash park that has a dog designated portion of a lake.  The leash idea seems like a logical idea but for us not very practical as she's playing in and out of the water with the other dogs.  I've tried treats but have learned that there is no greater treat than the water itself.  Any other suggestions other than a leash?

[annie]

We have the same issue with swimming at our family cottage and these posts have been helpful. Our dog, a 4 year old chocolate lab, definitely has an obsession with water and can’t get enough. Leashing her is fine temporarily but not an option for the entire day. She is amazing out of the water and responds when called but becomes a problem with distraction in the water... she’s taken to chasing boats and ducks and won’t listen when called and we’ve had to retrieve her from the other side of the bay on several occasions. Also lately she’s decided to go for random swims... going way too far from shore and often does it when we are busy with the kids and she’s not getting enough attention (...no one is playing with her and throwing sticks to fetch). She definitely has a behaviour problem which needs to be dealt with... particularly since it’s a safety issue as well (chasing trolling fishing boats, for example). I’m definitely going to start working on her recall in the water the next time we are up there. Glad I am not alone on this!

[mdhowes]

Feb 1, 2005 18:24:36 GMT -5 FlatCoatedLover said:

If this dog is an obsessive swimmer it could be a psychological condition. I know a dog who would continue to swim until he was exausted. This dog was treated with an anti-anxiety or anti-psychotic medication and kept away from the water. Their dog would stand by the door and whine and bark for hours on end to get outside to the lake or pool. If he ever got out without a leash he would jump in the lake or pool and swim until some one would physically go in and get him. They felt that he was not able to get enough exercise and off leash time because of his water obsession so they moved from their beautiful house on a lake with a pool to one that was far away from water and had a fenced yard. After careful conditioning they can allow him to have a kiddy wading pool but he can still not handle being near large bodies of water. If this is the case it can be managed but it takes a lot of persistence and some sacrifices. Hello. Has anyone successfully trained their dog out of this condition? My pitbull would surely drown herself if I wasn't around to drag her back to shore. Sorry for the bump.