I recently purchased a kiddie pool for Rex, and since he's already afraid of water I know that the first time he was introduced to it would be crucial to how he acted around it. So to get him to go near it we throw treats and toys. The farthest he's went in it was his two front paws and were still working on him putting all four in.:rolleyes:
Anyway I was just wondering because he's always ducking his face in for the treats if this could harm his eyes?

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Originally Posted by rex123

I recently purchased a kiddie pool for Rex, and since he's already afraid of water I know that the first time he was introduced to it would be crucial to how he acted around it. So to get him to go near it we throw treats and toys. The farthest he's went in it was his two front paws and were still working on him putting all four in.:rolleyes:
Anyway I was just wondering because he's always ducking his face in for the treats if this could harm his eyes?

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Both of my dogs (German Shepherds) are ALWAYS putting their faces underwater in their pool and they've never had problems with their eyes.

One took a while to get used to the water but now she goes in it all the time - in the beginning I would go in, sit (in her kiddie pool, the neighbors were starting to wonder about me!) and she would come in and stand with me and eventually got used to it.

I also had a Lab who would not go NEAR water - never in his life.

As long as you aren't putting any chemicals in it, I wouldn't worry about the eyes. And look at it this way... Rex is already putting the front feet and face in, so you are off to a good start. Is your yard fenced? If so, and you let Rex out there without a leash, I'd go over to the pool sometimes when you are both out there, and just splash around and play in it yourself. Play boats, whatever, while not really paying attention to Rex. The idea is to let Rex see you having a good time over there, which may make him curious about it, without forcing him to interact with it. Besides, water play is fun on hot days!

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Originally Posted by froggy7

As long as you aren't putting any chemicals in it, I wouldn't worry about the eyes. And look at it this way... Rex is already putting the front feet and face in, so you are off to a good start. Is your yard fenced? If so, and you let Rex out there without a leash, I'd go over to the pool sometimes when you are both out there, and just splash around and play in it yourself. Play boats, whatever, while not really paying attention to Rex. The idea is to let Rex see you having a good time over there, which may make him curious about it, without forcing him to interact with it. Besides, water play is fun on hot days!

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The chemicals part is a good issue - when my dogs go in the in ground I hose them off afterward and the Vet also gave me eye drops to use on occasion.

I've never had a problem with eyes but I have with ear infections because of the way dog ears are "built."

Thanks. Our water has no chemical. And Froggy I wish our yard was fenced in but unfortunately it is not. So every time Rex is outside he has to be leashed. Don't worry he's not tied all day, he's a big spoiled baby and mostly an indoor dog. There are four circumstances in which he is leashed outside, on our walks(which he always looks forward to during the day), when he needs to do his business, when we play catch and when he goes in the pool. And his rope is 50 ft long so when we play catch he gets quite an exercise. I know people think its cruel to tie a dog and its true dogs who are tied become rambunctious and sometimes aggressive and fearful towards people. But rex is hardly tied all the time, I wish he could run free but he can't be trusted off leash. Being tied however doesn't affect his demeanor, he loves going outside, and he doesn't mind being tied, he never goes to the end of his rope. And because he is inside most of the day he is still a very loving dog.:cool:

Well, with a 50 foot lead you can still do the "ignore him and play in the water by yourself" bit. The idea is to get him curious about what could be my interesting than him when you are out there!

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Originally Posted by rex123

Thanx. Our water has no chemical. And Froggy I wish our yard was fenced in but unfortunately it is not. So every time Rex is outside he has to be leashed. Don't worry he's not tied all day, he's a big spoiled baby and mostly an indoor dog. There are four circumstances in which he is leashed outside, on our walks(which he always looks forward to during the day), when he needs to do his business, when we play catch and when he goes in the pool. And his rope is 50 ft long so when we play catch he gets quite an excercise. I know people think its cruel to tie a dog and its true dogs who are tied become rambunctious and sometimes aggressive and fearful towards people. But rex is hardly tied all the time, I wish he could run free but he can't be trusted off leash. Being tied however doesn't affect his demeanor, he loves going outside, and he doesn't mind being tied, he never goes to the end of his rope. And because he is inside most of the day he is still a very loving dog.:cool:

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I do not judge people who tie dogs - I don't like outdoor dog houses but that's a whole different issue.

You do what you can to keep your dog safe and in this case it means a lead or a rope. I am very fortunate to live on a fenced acre.

As I said - you do what you have to do to keep the animals you love safe.

No judgment from this side.

I have the same problem with Niki, and she is part Yellow Lab. She is terrified of water also. I do have quite a large fenced yard, and I also have a kiddie pool Rex's Mom. She thinks the pool is her very large drinking bowl.

She runs and hides if I even turn on the hose, and I just can't get her close to water except to drink it. I've tried sitting in the pool myself also, and as soon as she sees me go in, she runs into the house and hides. I have tried toys, treats, throwing her ball (which she loves) from inside the pool, she will run for it, but there is no way she'll bring it back. She listens really well in most other areas, just not ones where water is involved. Bathtime is hell around here. You would think I'm hauling her off to the death chamber!

I'm glad you got Rex to at least put his front paws in, that's a start for sure. Rex has got such a good mommy, that I'm sure if he's at least interested, that you will be able to coax him in, in no time.

Good luck, and I hope Rex is swimming around and staying nice and cool soon! :D

I agree with froggy make it fun and let Rex come to see the fun. Start with not too much water maybe just a couple of inches . Since you have had some successes with him putting his paws in I don't think it will take long to have him in all the way maybe even laying down. You could also put a toy in the pool and ask him to fetch it. Since your leash is nice and long you can let him casually check the pool out versuses making him get in. Good luck.