If you’ve set up a backyard pool or even if you’re going on vacation with your beloved furry friends, it’s only natural that you would want them to hop into the pool with you.
However, figuring out how to get a German Shepherd in the pool isn’t always easy, especially if he wasn’t used to it from a young age.
So, what’s stopping your little friend, and how can you help him jump in? That’s what this article is all about, so hang tight!
How to Get a German Shepherd in the Pool
Your German Shepherd could be a little reluctant to take a dip in the water, and if that’s the case, you should never force him.
Instead, try these tips and tricks to ease the pup into the water:
1. Set Up the Right Pool Size
First things first, you have to make sure your dog knows how to get in and, more importantly, out of the pool. To do that, you can start by getting a small kiddie pool to provide the least threatening environment.
Keep in mind that a German Shepherd could stand around two feet tall. That’s why you need to consider the height, so he can get in without much hassle.
Make sure the descent into the water is smooth and let the dog take his time exploring and feeling comfortable. Then, once your pooch has mustered some courage, you can upgrade to a bigger setup.
2. Lure the Pup In With Toys
If your little buddy has some favorite treats, you can use them to encourage him to get into the pool.
Needless to say, it would feel safer for your dog if you sit in the pool along with his favorite toy. You can even spend some time around the pool coping or splashing around the shallow end.
Soon, he might just decide to join the fun!
3. Use a Life Jacket to Boost Confidence
Another method you can use is to give the pup a life jacket that adds buoyancy and makes him feel safer when testing his swimming skills.
On average, an adult German Shepherd could weigh around 50 to 90 lbs. However, you’ll be better off relying on chest measurements to ensure that you get a size that fits snugly but doesn’t pinch.
Don’t be frustrated if the dog doesn’t like putting it on initially. This might need some getting used to, so you should put the jacket on your German Shepherd for short durations for a week or so before actually setting out on your aquatic adventure.
Make sure you get the pup treats for not trying to take the jacket off.
4. Use the Help of a Friend
Young pups often need friends they trust to take giant leaps like this. Thankfully, this means you can use the help of another dog that already loves the water to get you out of this situation.
Ideally, your German Shepherd should be friends with the dog you’ll use for guidance. This way, he’ll provide natural reassurance to your worried canine.
5. Reduce Irritants in the Pool Water
Swimming doesn’t have any direct negative repercussions. However, residual water that stays on a dog’s ear for too long without proper drying can cause infections, especially if this happens too frequently.
Moreover, if the dog is swimming in a pool, he’ll be exposed to chlorine for extended periods. While chlorine isn’t harmful to pets right away, too much exposure can lead to irritations in the skin or eyes.
This could be why your dog isn’t a big fan of splashing in the pool. To solve this, you can double-check that your pH and chlorine levels aren’t too high. Then, you can avoid leaving the pup in the water for long periods at a time.
6. Respect Your Dog’s Preferences
Finally, you might have to come to terms with the fact that your German Shepherd simply doesn’t enjoy being in the water. In that case, enjoy some ground games in the backyard, like fetch with a frisbee, to match the mood.
There’s a chance that your dog has had a negative experience with water, especially if you haven’t had him ever since he was a puppy. So, what can you do if you couldn’t raise him to love water?
The best thing is to get your German Shepherd used to the swimming sensation. You can do so by rubbing him with a wet cloth, playing water games, and ensuring he can always go to a safe spot should he feel too threatened.
Do German Shepherds Enjoy Water?
German Shepherds are extremely intelligent and individualistic dogs, meaning that each one will have his own personality and preferences. Plus, the breed isn’t naturally aquatic.
However, unless your dog really hates water, you can train him to swim. To do this, you’ll need to rely on his physical strength and outgoing personality to break the boundary of stepping into and swimming in a pool or even the sea!
As a result, you’ll be able to expose the little guy to a lot of benefits.
After all, studies found that dogs that swam for 60 minutes every day (divided into three sessions with five-minute breaks in-between) showed incredible health benefits in only eight weeks.
These merits include enhancing mobility, improving the ability to bear weight, working on lameness, and reducing joint pain.
Final Words
While your excitement can lead you to be a little impatient when you’re trying to figure out how to get a German Shepherd in the pool, you should hold back your horses and take it slow.
Give your dog his sweet time familiarizing himself with the water and being comfortable getting wet. Make sure to reward him often and with each step he takes in the right direction.
Finally, little by little, you should be able to get him in the water. If not, then you might need to accept the fact that your furry friend just isn’t a water fan.
