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Post by angie on Jun 26, 2006 12:30:32 GMT -5
The leash post has created another question for me.
We're going to the cottage in a couple of weeks. Odon has showed interest in swimming. I was hoping to let him go in but is that a possibility?? Any ideas/suggestions/experience??
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Post by lovemygreys on Jun 26, 2006 13:43:41 GMT -5
Greyhounds aren't known for their aquatic prowess. Their low body fat doesn't make them very boyant. IMHO, I'd keep him leashed and just let him get his feet wet but that's about it. If he does go in unleashed you can run into the same problem as walking off leash. He could see something in the water (floating weed, duck, goose etc.) and just keep on going. And if he does run into a problem in deeper water and panics it can be dangerous for both of you trying to get him back to shore. You should also take into consideration how busy the water is where you are. If there is a lot of water traffic the wakes can be dangerous, not to mention the sea-doos that can ride closer to the shoreline and may not see him swimming around. There has been more than 1 accident involving a swimming dog and a water craft I would also suggest that if you are planning to go boating with him you may want to invest in a doggie life jacket. I did get some for my 2 (we live on a lake) but the jackets didn't seem to fit too well and looked uncomfortable. Since Brin and Katz don't go in the boat I returned the jackets but that was a couple of years ago so they may have improved the design. With all that said, both Brin and Katz have ended up in the lake here (separate, quite humorous incidents) and they both swam back to shore no problem but they weren't too far out. Brin was the farthest away at about 6 feet while Katzar's little antic only put him about 3 feet from shore. They are never, ever left outside alone with access to the lake (our yard is fenced) and they are only allowed on the dock when one or both of us is with them.
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Post by jiffer on Jun 26, 2006 17:27:48 GMT -5
Using a harness instead of a collar is a good idea, too. That way if something does happen, you can use the harness to keep him safe (rather than pulling on his head).
Have fun!
Atlas is quite the good swimmer. Though he thought he could walk on water ... he realized his mistake quite quickly. LOL
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Post by lovemygreys on Jun 27, 2006 11:21:11 GMT -5
Using a harness instead of a collar is a good idea, too. That way if something does happen, you can use the harness to keep him safe (rather than pulling on his head). Have fun! Atlas is quite the good swimmer. Though he thought he could walk on water ... he realized his mistake quite quickly. LOL Great idea about the harness! Although I would still be concerned about the leash getting tangled but I tend to be overprotective Katz thought he could walk on water too. Stepped right off the dock and kerplunk! He's very careful going to the edge of the dock now
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Post by jiffer on Jun 27, 2006 20:41:17 GMT -5
Using a harness instead of a collar is a good idea, too. That way if something does happen, you can use the harness to keep him safe (rather than pulling on his head). Have fun! Atlas is quite the good swimmer. Though he thought he could walk on water ... he realized his mistake quite quickly. LOL Great idea about the harness! Although I would still be concerned about the leash getting tangled but I tend to be overprotective Katz thought he could walk on water too. Stepped right off the dock and kerplunk! He's very careful going to the edge of the dock now Most of the nylon leashes I've used, float
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Post by kojack on Jul 2, 2006 5:51:26 GMT -5
Get a life jacket for him and keep him leashed...I had a little life jacket for my shih tsu...handle and everything on it for picking him up
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Post by luvmygreys on Jul 7, 2006 7:34:56 GMT -5
I have 4 greyhounds and have a cottage on the lake. They all love the water and believe it or not are greyt swimmers. They are not stupid and even if they seen something floating in the water they will not go after it. All dogs know how to swim, but if you are boating then this is a different story. I swim with them and they love it.
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Post by lovemygreys on Jul 7, 2006 12:31:32 GMT -5
I have 4 greyhounds and have a cottage on the lake. They all love the water and believe it or not are greyt swimmers. They are not stupid and even if they seen something floating in the water they will not go after it. All dogs know how to swim, but if you are boating then this is a different story. I swim with them and they love it. Our Katz stepped right off the dock because he saw geese floating by but then he does have a high prey drive and there were weeds where he stepped off so he might have thought it was grass Not all dogs can swim and some are better at it than others. I've owned a couple that couldn't swim to save their lives. A mini poodle that loved to try but after a few seconds started to sink (life jacket came in handy there! ) and a mixed breed that just couldn't get the hang of it
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Post by wickedwick on Jul 10, 2006 21:50:54 GMT -5
Sorry guys & girls, sort of off topic, but how do you put that "new" beside a new post??? Thanx, Amanda & Wick
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