Any other Portuguese Water Dog owners here?

[B-Line]

Originally Posted by Rivsky

So do the humans ever get use of the pool or are the dogs always in there!!

Thanks everyone... I love taking pics of the dogs in the pool.. Most of the pictures, I'm usually in the pool, with my camera in hand.

To answer your question RIvsky, we have a healthy supply of humans in the pool as well.
Every Sat/Sun I go to my brothers place, where the pool is, and have a little pool party.

We also get lots of visitors:

[B-Line]

some more action shots: (please tell me when you get sick of these pictures and I promise, I'll stop..)

[Doglover1988]

What great pictures! Your dogs are gorgeous.

[Radar_Love]

Hello, Welcome to GP! Your PWD's are gorgeous. I can't wait for more pics!!!

[AnimalsAreMyLife]

I wish!!! xD

[Rivsky]

Could never get sick of those photos B-Line -they are awesome!!!

[RedPowerLady]

Great pics. You are a master photographer

[B-Line]

Thanks everyone... I appreciate the warm welcome.

As far as my photography skills, I'll teach you all a trick:
Get great equipment, take tons and tons of photos, then only show the good ones...

[IceyBlueSibes]

Awesome pics! We are never sick of pictures here, so keep um' comin!

[RedPowerLady]

Originally Posted by B-Line

Thanks everyone... I appreciate the warm welcome.

As far as my photography skills, I'll teach you all a trick:
Get great equipment, take tons and tons of photos, then only show the good ones...

Good Tip!!! LOL
I think I need a better camera

[phishstik]

My wife and I recently got PWD named Jasper! This is older pic, hes almost 3 months old now.

B-Line how old were your dogs when they started swimming? Jasper doesn't mind getting wet, goes in pond up to his stomach but doesn't want to fully go in and swim. Been trying at pool too but he seems uncomfortable.

[Punkygirl0101]

What beautiful dogs!! I have never met a PWD, but I do know what they are !

[Cassiepeia]

Oh my goodness, why haven't I looked at this thread before?? Your Porties are GORGEOUS!!! Ok, here I go falling in love with yet another breed. LOL I'll just add it to the long list of breeds I must have before I die. LOL

Cass.

[Rivsky]

Jasper is gorgeous Phishstik

[B-Line]

Hey Phishstik,

I have to agree with Rivsky, Jasper is gorgeous!!

Welcome to the PWD club That's a beautiful pup you got there and he's going to make you very, very happy.
Some advice, TRAIN that puppy well. There is nothing more rewarding than a well trained PWD.. But untrained PWD's can be a nightmare because of how smart and mischievous they are. You need to focus the energy they have into something positive rather than negative.

I'd start with remembering these words and reading this article: NOTHING IN LIFE IS FREE:
Nothing in Life is Free

Having said that, there is no other breed I could ever imagine having after sharing my life with one for almost 13 years, and now the addition of our puppy Maggie. And if you've never had a non-shedding dog before, yes, grooming does take some work, but it's soooo much easier than a coat that sheds.

OK, swimming. Maggie was about 6-7 months when it warmed up and I was able to take her to the pool. The first number of visits, I'd say, 8-10 visits, she only went in the water when I picked her up and carried her in the pool with me. She swam right off the bat, but entering the water and swimming on her own took me about a month. She needed to build up the courage.
Matter of fact, when we were at the pool, if she saw me coming to get her, she would run away so I couldn't grab her and put her in the pool.

I also had the advantage of having Nikita, our older dog, jumping in and out. So maggie was able to watch Nikita swim and jump and learned from her.

Maggie got used to swimming and got more comfortable with it (with me carrying her in). Then I had to teach her how to jump in. So I would carry her to the edge of the pool and would lightly push her towards the water. I didn't push her in, I would wait until she instinctively jumped, with me guiding/gently pushing, her butt into the pool, teaching her it was ok to JUMP in.

Then one day, it just sort of happened. I was standing in the pool and she looked at me and I said, "come on Maggie" and just like that she walked to the edge and sort of jumped/fell in. So then we did it again. 5 minutes later, she was leaping into the pool like Michael Phelps being chased by a swarm of bee's. I haven't been able to keep her out of the water since.

Here are some tips.. Take your time with it. Don't make Jasper afraid of the water but also encourage him to go in. Show him how to get in and out, using the steps, etc. Use treats to coax him in. Praise, praise, praise.. And use your voice to encourage him when he's doing something good.

Nature will take it's course, but feel free to help it along. Yes, it's true that not all PWD's like the water, but I've yet to meet one that doesn't. Just don't scare him and build his confidence and before you know it, he'll be retrieving anything he can get his mouth on in the pool.

If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask me. I'm glad to help.