Dutch Shepherd Forum

Xander turns 1 year old tomorrow. Time sure does fly by. His first year has been great. Happy Birthday to Xander!!!

Happy birthday !!!!!!!!!!! Woof

Happy bark day!!!!!!!!!! Such a handsome dude. How did you not die of cuteness overload when he was a pup????? (heart melts)

Happy Birthday!

So Xander had a great birthday but I'm a little disappointed. I posted a topic because I didn't think I would be able to keep him out of the pool. So for his birthday has been great. I wanted to take him swimming. He loves water, the bathtub, the shower, the sprinkler, the hose..... but doesn't want to get in the pool. I drug him in twice with me but I'm afraid of forcing him. I don't want to scare him. Can anyone give me any ideas. I even threw his favorite balls in there. Help please. I was looking forward to a fun filled summer.

Are you talking about a kiddie pool????

If that's the case, my boy, who isn't a'sceared a'nuttin', held GREAT DISDAIN for, of all things, water in a kiddie pool. Baths, showers, hoses, any other water, no problem. Would get in the pool empty or filled with empty soda bottles, cans and other misc. stuff (for searches). Would retrieve a ball from the water. Just did not want to get in the pool with--(whisper with me)--the water.

In the course of an afternoon (with breaks in-between), although still not his idea of fun, he got in. Me getting in/out, sitting in it tossing balls, party when he put the first foot in w/o a ball involved, etc. I didn't push it past getting all four feet in, though. Thought it was important for him to do that, but if it wasn't going to offer him enjoyment (or a chance to keep cool in the heat), oh well.

Sorry if you're not talking about a kiddie pool

You're right not to force it. I'm sure with time he will after working with him, but he may just not be a pool kind of guy-------then again-------be careful what you wish for.

EDIT: Just had a thought. Perhaps it's the water temp or the feel of the water in that situation? My guy got all fours in but when he went to sit, whoops. He sat but like WTH? My last DS, too: not crazy about the water in the pool, but she did it...but when she went to sit, whoops.

It's not a kiddie pool. It a 20x40 inground. He loves the kiddie pool. I got him in twice spraying the water hose. He wants to get in but seems scared. I'm not going to force him. I just expected him to dive in as much as he loves water. I'm water logged from trying to convince him. Lol. He ain't scared of anything. Just the scarey pool. I'm going to try again in the morning.

Happy Birthday Xander.
can't believe that last puppy pic of him. looks so cute it should be an ad for something.

Tracer chases the hose madly - will get soaked and think nothing of it; like your Xander cannot be kept out of the shower when i am showering, will run into the bay even during the freeze of this last winter, but he will not go in the kiddie pool to cool off no matter what i do.

I have to say Xander was an adorable puppy. He is still adorable. His color changed some. He is very photogenic. I guess he may just not be a swimmer but that's ok. At least if I can get him in a few times so he knows what to do in case he falls in that will be good enough.