HI There,

I'm hoping to get some advice regarding a minor problem I'm having with Monty, my springer spaniel. He absolutely ADORES swimming, however, he is uncontrollable. His eyes get all big as if they're about to pop out of their sockets, he barks, and he swims with 1/2 of his body out of the water...he is not swimming calmly at all. This happens whether he's in a lake or in our pool at home.

I have had a few experiences where he's taken off and I've had to literally swim for my life to catch him.

I do have a life jacket for him and I attach a leash to it so that I can rope him in now, however, it's not pleasant at all for me.

I would love for him to swim calmly. It seems as if something switches off in his brain. He doesn't hear me, and just swims like a mad man!

Has anyone ever experienced this with their dog? If yes, what can I do to get this under control??

[AuntieDale]

Wow, that's a tough one - my Golden used to bark & run around the pool, and at the lake he would swim circles around people & try to save them... What worked for me was to make him 'sit & stay' out of the water. It took awhile, but now I'll let him swim first & have fun, then I'll make him sit & he eventually falls asleep!

Of course, that could be because he's older now, but hey, maybe that could work for you??

[Lara's mom]

Spaniels absolutely LOVE the water!!! I think your dog is just doing what spaniels do when they get to have a swim.

It sounds like he is totally obsessed with the water. I agree with AuntieDale... teach him to 'sit & stay' and that he is allowed in the water ONLY after he's been invited. It will be a lot of work on your part, but it will be worth your while in the long run. He should ONLY be allowed to stay in if he does it in an orderly fashion and not when he is obsessing.

Good Luck!

I've actually been making him sit & stay when I'm in the pool. He screams like a banshee! LOL Anyhow, I don't mind him swimming, I just want him to swim like other dogs...CALMLY!

We're going camping next week to Tupper Lake in NY, so I'll make sure to bring his lifejacket and see how it goes..

I'll keep you posted!

Thanks for the advice!