water and boxers

dmartin · #1 02-19-2004, 01:15 PM

Being a first time boxer Mom, I wondered if someone wouldn't mind giving me some advice with Cheetah. She's our 4 month old fawn female (full-fledged family member).
A few questions: We want to teach her to swim..or how at least to get out of the pool this summer in case she ever falls in...
Do boxers like to swim? and if so, does anyone have any suggestions on what I can use to protect her skin from chlorine?
Also, we began bell training 4 days ago. (works like a charm). She took right too it!! however, if its raining..(which she absolutely abhors)..she will refuse to ring the bell...or go outside...period! We have tried tempting her with her favorite treats, lots of love, patience, bribery,...even an umbrella....nothing works....she will eventually "hold it" and "go" in the house to avoid the rain.
any suggestions?

Thomas Liggin · #2 02-19-2004, 01:33 PM

At four months, the rain will be a touch and go thing for maybe two or three more months. Not to discourage you, but it sounds quite typical.

Ava was housebroken at about three months, or so we thought. She would go to the door when she wanted to go out, but still had the occasional accident.

She'd go for several days, and then we'd find a puddle. Then she'd go for a couple of weeks between accidents. At about six or seven months old, it was as though someone threw a switch. When she needed to go out, she'd find one of us and whine a bit. We'd ask if she wanted to go out, and she'd head for the door.

While they understand what is expected, and can be fairly reliable, puppies under six or seven months may not have the patience to wait for us, or the determination to venture out into inclement weather.

It sounds like Cheetah is progressing nicely, and normally.

Tom

dmartin · #3 02-19-2004, 01:54 PM

Tom, thanks for the words of encouragement, especially with the spring rains approaching.!!!

silly24boxer · #4 02-19-2004, 03:13 PM

Hi We taught our boxer lady to swim just in case she fell in the pool. Lady could not swim she would panic and paddle faster and faster then would go under.

You need go with your boxer in the pool and hold her up while she dog paddles, teach her to relax and get her use to the water. Do not let go because she will panic.Walk slowly while holding her towards the steps so she knows were to get out. Praise her alot. We took Lady in every day until she figured out that if she paddles slowly she will not sink. We even put a pool noodle under her hind legs just behind her belly she did not mind paddling then.

Lady now loves swimming! On really hot days she waits by the pool steps for us to carry her in. We carry her to the otherside of the pool and she paddles back herself.

Keep pently of fresh water out for her to keep her from drinking the pool water.

dmartin · #5 02-19-2004, 03:35 PM

Thanks for the wonderful advice! We'll sure take it. My husband was able to teach our granddaughter to paddle and hold her breath in the pool by the time she was two years old and when she was three...she was jumping in off the diving board (with us in the pool under her of course). So, I know he'll have the patience to take it easy with Cheetah also.
Does the chlorine bother Lady's skin?

ed keenan · #6 02-19-2004, 04:52 PM

Roxy fell in the pool when she was about 9 mos. She just sank to the bottom. I was screaming & my brother jumped in right as she started coming up to the top, about 50 degree water temp. It seemed forever. My girl was so scared. She's been in the water since, & did fine!!!

She will be 2 in July & still has accidents. I think she is just stubborn. My boy rescue, Bacchus, NEVER goes in the house. He is a sweetheart!! Sissy

silly24boxer · #7 02-19-2004, 06:39 PM

No the pool water does not bug lady's skin at all. You could maybe rinse her off with the garden hose after a dip in the pool.

cb977 · #8 02-19-2004, 06:56 PM

You may not have to coax her into the pool at all. Sammi just jumped right into my MOI's pool (inground), and she tries to climb the ladder to get into ours. She can't quite get it, which is good since I don't want her in a situation she can't get out of on her own. The only thing we made sure to do was teaching her where to get out. We wouldn't let her try to claw her way over the side, but made her swim to the shallow end where the steps are, and now she goes in and out on her own (we're always there watching, just in case). As far as the chlorine goes, I try to rinse her off when she gets out. I don't always do it, and she doesn't have a problem, anyway. I've also heard that dogs that drink (some) pool water don't have a problem with fleas. Myth? I don't know...

Cypress' Mom · #9 02-19-2004, 07:40 PM

My Cyper loves to go in ponds and wade (he has never been in off a leash) but he sure hates his baths. And really he gets a shower. If we even say the word bath he slinks away and we have to carry him in. He just hates it. But at the pond he will wade right in and splash around. I don't get it! Silly boy.

Jess and Cypress

marciafinn · #10 02-19-2004, 07:57 PM

Mason LOVES the water but will not swim. We have a boat so this poses a bit of a problem - well if he fell off anyway. We got him a life jacket last year and have tried to teach him to swim with it on. He wants nothing to do with being over his head. Last summer he was playing with a fur pal at the beach, she's a lab. Calla kept swimming over Mason's head to fetch the stick we were throwing and Mason was getting a bit annoyed. So he finally took the plunge - and sank like a stone. The funny thing is that he'll go out as far as he can and even put his head under water and look around - you can even see the bubbles coming out of his nose!

I think if I had tried teaching him when he was Cheetah's age we'd of had more luck. But Mason was a baby thoughout the winter and I'm sorry but there's no way you'll find me in the water during the winter! Good luck with your girl!
Marcia & Mason