Teaching Dogs how to exit pool

[mshumack]

My two Dobbies won't go in the pool - on their own. That's a good thing but they do run around it like nuts chasing each other. The other day one of them fell in. She fell onto the tanning shelf while running around the pool. It only took her two leaps to get back out. I am concerned that if they fall into the deep end they may not know to swim to the shallow end (and exit off tanning shelf).

How do I go about trainning them? I don't like the idea of just throwing them into the deep end and guiding them out. I don't want to tramatize them. Perhaps this is the best/only way since I can't lure them into the water.

How many times do I have to put them in before they learn the way out?

In case you suggest it - I can't fence off the pool from them and there are times when no one is home so a pool alrm wouldn't help.

Any ideas?

[Tomcat]

Well, since it's already filled, you can't let them run around in it and know that the steps/tanning shelf are the way in and out.

Therefore, I'd suggest taking them in with you many times and guiding them to the tanning shelf/steps. I used to do that with my Golden. He'd pretty much relax in my arms and I'd push him to the steps. He'd swim in that direction, hit the steps, and get out. They'll catch on. Just think Pavlov. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

[mshumack]

Before the pool was plastered the dogs would go into the deep and and spalsh around in the dirty water. Now that the water is clean they don't want anything to do with it. Since they knew how to get in and out of the pool before it was filled, maybe they will remember that.
I can't take that chance, but it would be reassuring if I put them in the deep end and they immediately swim to the shallow end (tanning shelf/exit).

PS. Aren't retrievers born water dogs? I'm surprised you can keep yours out of the water.

[adillenal]

My teenager trained our dachshund to swim to the steps by putting her in the pool at various locations and guiding her toward the steps. He didn't throw her in but she really doesn't like it much BUT she fell in this week barking at the Polaris 380 and she leaned too far out. She immediately circled and headed for the steps. She is a little dense so if she can learn to swim to the steps any average intelligence dog can. We love her anyway.

[debs_pool]

Yesterday, in a pool store, I saw something called a "scamper ramp" -- stated on the package it was for pets & critters.

(I only have a cat who won't go outside -- tried carrying him out by the pool (not to get in) once -- he peed on me. It was disgusting!

Anyway, when I saw that "scamper ramp" -- I thought "hmmm ... hope I don't have any "critters" in my pool!

So maybe do a search for ramps for pets or something and hopefully you'll find just what you need!

[joliecharlie]

Are they food/toy motivated? Maybe attaching a long leash and luring them in the water with a treat/toy, letting them swim around and then leading them to steps to get out ...making it fun of course and as it was said before repeating.
Maybe if their experience was a bit traumtic, they will be a little more careful around the pool!! Can always hope.