Although it’s still winter and we’ve had some cold weather the last few weeks, yesterday had a high in the 60s and today reached the low 70s.

While I knew the water would still be cold, I thought today would still be a good opportunity to introduce Lightning to water deep enough for swimming. 

The process was straightforward and went well. I brought Laddie and Lightning out to a beach that we would have to ourselves and took off Lightning’s harness. I had brought two 2″ white bumpers. I threw one as far as I could without risking an injury to my back and sent Laddie. While he was swimming out, I tossed the other bumper into shallow water. Lightning immediately knew it was for him. 

Over a period of a few minutes, he worked up his courage to wade into the water and fetch the bumper. During this time, I didn’t prompt him or interact with him at all. When Laddie would return with his bumper, I’d throw it back out for him. I’m guessing seeing Laddie swimming may have normalized the idea of it for Lightning, but I can’t be sure. 

When Lightning finally retrieved the bumper from the shallow water, he ran around with it on shore for a little while and then dropped it. I immediately picked it up and threw it back out, just a little further. He brought it back sooner the second time and I continued to stretch the distance.

Around the seventh throw, the water was too deep for Lightning to retrieve without swimming. He launched himself, swam for the first time in his life, grabbed the bumper, swam back with it, and dropped it for me to throw again. 

I continued throwing bumpers for both dogs, throwing Lightning’s further each time till I was throwing it as far as I could, the same as Laddie’s. Lightning was confident swimming on every retrieve, though he still used a splashing puppy stroke and hasn’t yet learned to keep his paws under water.  

When the sun set, I brought them back to the van and towel dried them. I used our air blower on them when we got home, another new experience for the little one.

Tomorrow is supposed to be warmer than today. Along with other training, I’ll take them swimming again as early as I can arrange it.