Look and Learn

It sounds like pretty simple advice, and this is one of the three mediums through which humans can acquire new skills. (The other two are auditory, by listening to instructions….. And through feelings and sensations).

For most dogs looking and learning is the easiest feedback loop. Whether it is watching our reactions and learning the rewards, or simply observing other dogs.

Over the years we have had countless dogs where the owners have told us that they do not like swimming or bathing in water. This is very common and my own dog took a few days as a puppy to learn to absolutely love the ocean.

Had I been to brash and brutal in my introduction, by throwing her out of her depth into the water, she probably would not have loved it as much. But I gently introducing her to water, leading her further and further out whilst supporting her moving legs until she learnt that she could already swim.

Dog-led, or Pack-led, learning comes from your dogs observing the other dogs doing things and clearly enjoying it. They then, in turn, feel braver to copy the behaviour and try it for themselves.

So far this Summer we have already got 3 of our “non-water-loving” pups to jump in and join their friends. Discovering the joys of water play.

And in hot weather conditions like we are experiencing currently, the more dogs in water the better.

Doggies: Deano, Sara, Mino, Jedi, Teddy and Hedda