Another Dip in the Pool (Oso's Rescue - Day 25)

You were doing so well at swimming, I thought it would be fun to take you for another dip in the dog pool at Bow Wow. But this time I thought it might be interesting to bring Mossy with us.

Being the head bitch of the household, she had a difficult time accepting your arrival. But as the days ticked by, she was warming up. You had taken her cues well, and fell into place in the order of our pack.

You had a slight deviousness about you, though. Usually Mossy would carry the stick or the toy and run through the yard with her head and tail high, begging to be chased. Trying to beat her at her own game, you tried to pick up an even bigger stick and prance back and forth in front of her, sometimes tossing your head playfully side to side. You were antagonizing her and trying to entice her in a game of chase Oso instead. I worked frequently, and the two of you ran large circles through the tall fir trees in our front yard.

We teased Mossy about being beat at her own game. Being a puppy allowed you to get away with a little more than you might have otherwise. I’m certain that if Mossy could’ve rolled her eyes with the proficiency of a teenaged child, she would have. But I think she might have just possibly secretly liked you; even though, from time to time, you were the pestering puppy.

You immediately jumped off the side of the decking at the pool without my coaxing you this time. I was so pleased! You picked right up where we left off the last time we came to the pool. You and Mossy took turns in a high speed game of retrieve; in the pool, fetch the toy, run around the side of the pool, deliver it to my hand, and back in the pool again.

I tried to play with you both alternately so that one was on the deck, and one in the pool. This way I had enough time to ask for a short sit and stay before tossing the toys into the pool. I wasn’t asking you to do anything more than sit, stay, and retrieve at this point. You were still learning that swimming and retrieving could be fun, and that you must bring the toy to me so you can play again. I simply wanted to focus on no more than that concept.

I would say that by now you had this drill down pretty pat, but there was nothing like lots of positive reinforcement to really drive the point home. Besides, you were having a great time!

You and Mossy both swam hard for just over an hour. Going to the pool is much different that a leisurely play at the beach. At least when the dogs are at the beach, they occasionally get out of the water and trot across the sand. At the pool, the majority of the time is spent swimming in the water. It is possible to swim the dogs at the pool for an hour, and expect that they will be pretty much tuckered out for the rest of the day. A tired dog is a good dog!