Does anyone have a mini-wiener that can swim

peterparker · May 12, 2008, 10:19:43 AM

We just got a mini weiner (8 Months). We have an inground swimming pool.
Can they swim - does anyone else let their pups in the pool?

Parker's Mom

Mike · May 12, 2008, 10:42:14 AM

I think in general dachshunds swim like rocks. Others here have pools and/or take them to lakes/ponds/ocean and can speak on what they do to safe-guard them.

cheryl186 · May 12, 2008, 11:23:54 AM

I think it is the individual....my Winston does not swim well at all and does not like the water......HOWEVER.....Zoe is another story. She loves to swim and does it well. We have an above the ground pool and we bought her a doggie lifevest, which she loves. Of course mommy and daddy are always with her when she swims. She also loves to float on a raft or lounge chair in the pool with her mom. We have fun!!! You just have to be careful and not let them over do it.

Barb · May 12, 2008, 11:32:02 AM

Neither of mine like it. I have a pool also and when we got Rudy we trained him to swim to the steps. When we got Brandy, she hated the water and I was afraid that rambunctious Rudy would knock her in - so I put up a kiddie guard (mesh fencing that lots of people use with young kids).

Your Parker may love to swim while you are out there - but I would never let him by the pool without someone with him. If he loves it - he may just jump in !

Teresa · May 12, 2008, 06:36:41 PM

The doggie life vest would be a good idea. I'm thinking there are several on here that use them. I know Terri's gang have some that swim. With the life vest you wouldn't have to worry so much about him jumping in suddenly, especially if he does like the water and wants to be near it every time you are.
Here's a link to one I found online. The price isn't bad considering the peace of mind that comes with it. The site also has a great write up on there about using the lifejackets for dogs.
http://www.petstreetmall.com/Paws-Aboard-Blue-Polka-Dot-Designer-Life-Jacket/5861/2266/details.html

Roberta · May 13, 2008, 01:37:57 AM

We have had 1, Angus out of 5 that adored water, the others, Oliver can stay afloat, Amy tollerates it, Ingird sunk so also did Emma.
Roberta
But like the others I would never leave them by a pool alone, mine its always been rivers and the beach

Dee Dee and Hallie · May 13, 2008, 03:21:10 PM

Same with me, my Jessie (standard longhair) liked to swim but she had her big Great Dane brother Fred to teach her. (actually he would just wade out up to his elbows and wait for her to swim and and bring back the stick then he'd take it from her as she swam by!). Hallie, on the other hand, does not like getting wet. The only time she surprised me was when we were at a doxie picnic by a river and we had a very rare 100+ day and she got in the river on her own (on a leash of course) multiple times.

I too would never let your doxie anywhere near the pool or with access to the pool unless you are right there with him every minute. If you can, fence it off or something...there have been way too many tragedies because people don't think it will happen to them. Better safe than sorry! I hope your little one will learn to like to swim though what a lucky pup to have his own pool!

doxielady5569128 · May 13, 2008, 10:18:13 PM

My Porky Pie loves to swim!! He wears a lifevest all the time when we are near water. We got our at Petsmart for $17 and Porky really likes it. His has velcro and buckle closures to ensure that it stays on comfortably and safely. I would definately encourage a lifevest at all times if you want your mini to swim. Porky even uses his when he's just running in the water.

JetEd73 · May 14, 2008, 09:29:49 AM

I have small standards that love to swim, but generally they look like they are about to drownd.

My pair wears lifejackets

http://www.ruffwear.com/K-9-Float-Coat-trade?sc=2&category=694

kind of expensive but the quality is second to none. Quite simply they are the best lifejackets made.

http://www.ruffwear.com/site/display/KFY_200.jpg

fabeebabee · July 17, 2008, 10:54:59 PM

Mine hates water, but is an excellent swimmer. I also have a lifevest for her, but we got that after the fact. The first and only time she's been swimming was in a pool. She did it quite well without the lifevest, but I am paranoid anyway.

Doxherding Karen · July 18, 2008, 10:30:54 AM

It's all physics, boys and girls. :thinik:

Fat floats. Muscle sinks. Guinness would sink like a stone. Ima would float like a blimp. If your doxie is in fairly good trim, it will have a hard time keeping afloat, and probably won't like it. Get a personal flotation device - always better to be safe than sorry.

Dr. Mark Spitz Leaky

"7 Gold - any questions?"

papbouv · July 18, 2008, 10:19:26 PM

They have pool alarms but being a Minnie may not have enough weight on to trigger it, I would go with the life jacket and a fence to be on the safe side.
Papbouv

fabeebabee · July 19, 2008, 06:49:34 AM

Quote from: papbouv on July 18, 2008, 10:19:26 PM
They have pool alarms but being a Minnie may not have enough weight on to trigger it, I would go with the life jacket and a fence to be on the safe side.
Papbouv

They also have pool alarms that operate when they get wet. Go to www.safetyturtle.com. They are for kids and dogs as a last line of defense. But at least your dog wouldn't have to wear a life jacket all day long! Good luck!

Joey N Tobys Mom · July 23, 2008, 10:13:42 PM

My boys can swim but I wouldn't let them be around a pool unsupervised.

I knew a lady who had two dachshunds and one could swim while the other couldn't figure it out.

My boys start moving their front paws like they're going to swim as soon as you lift them near any water. It's pretty amusing. :)

Kari · July 24, 2008, 08:39:04 AM

You can't be serious....get my paws wet....no thanks!! That's why they call me Princess Penny!

Go4Kirby · August 20, 2008, 05:25:38 PM

God forbid Kirby get wet. Unless he's at the creek and it's blazing hot and all the other pups are in. Otherwise he acts like he is tortured. I did buy him a baby pool, but I really just created the world's largest water bowl

papbouv · August 20, 2008, 09:55:14 PM

Dog Fancy showed an advertisement of a ramp that attaches to the side of the pool where any animal can get out on their own picture of a raccoon using it to get out of the pool.Also read an article a long time ago since dogs are low in the water they might panic and not be able to find the steps. Some people trained their dogs to look for a flag by the steps so they could always find the steps?

TerriL · August 28, 2008, 02:17:09 PM

We have a pool and my Buelah (our long haired black and tan girlie) LOVES to swim! Oscy will go in if we hold him but he's not a huge fan of the water. Baby Bea thinks that she will melt and wants nothing to do with it. All three have life jackets and when we have company and the pool gate is open they all wear them. Like Barb we taught each of the pups to swim to the stairs. I actually put a treat on the top step where they could see it. It worked like a charm!