Hi All,

I collect my two new adorable puppies today (soooo excited!), but wanted to ask a few questions!

I have done some research (this site is great) and read a few books on training springers, although none of them mention rivers and dogs.

We have a large garden, with a river running through it, and I am concerned that the puppies will try and go in before they are able to get out. The current can get quite fast at times along one stretch, and I am really worried they will be swept down stream. There is no way that I can fence off the river, as its too long. Are there any methods to help, or am i worrying over nothing? I know that they are strong swimmers, and i would ofcourse jump in at any moment to save them - but I dont want to keep them on a lead in the garden!

thanks.

Most puppies are fairly wary of water until they are a bit older and more able to manage.

I think I would be more inclined at this point to keep the puppies away from the river by confining them to an area with no water frontage until you know they are strong enough to swim, scramble out etc. You could get some stock fencing and pen off an area for them relatively economically in the short-term which IMHO would be money wisely spent just in case the unthinkable happened.

mine have only just got water confident (and they still don't jump in) - they are nine months now, they even minced around puddles until recently... so hopefully your pups won't leap into the unknown - however, it might be a good idea to pen them an area off like Sir Freddy suggested - the orange plastic fencing and stakes are in Wickes quite cheap at the moment...

Good luck with the pups - photos please!

Just to let you know, when Tahlulah first saw the beck that runs through the dog walking area she was straight in there, no fear . Yeah so as the others have said a fenced off area might be good for a while.

I too would be inclined to fence off an area with something or only take them out there on long lines - just incase.

Puppies do go through a phase of no fear, if they choose to just dive in when theres a strong current it could end in disaster.
Its not so much that they are good swimmers, as a pup they will tire very quickly against a curent and wouldnt have the strength to get back on land.

I have one springer that loves swimming - but even at 2 years, we've watched him tire in the river trying to catch up with a swan and it came very close to us jumping in to get him
my other springer loves dipping in and out of the rivers edge but isnt brave enough to swim

Deffo fence off. Bailey was very wary, and still is and won't jump into deep water, but unfortuantely, cos she is a bit ungainly, she doesn't brake well, which means she has a tendency to overshoot her intended target and end up in the water anyway!

I,ve got a natural water babe in fact I think he a new x breed a Sprotter half dog half otter

He was around 6 months when he first swam but he,s always been a "why walk round when you can walk through it type of guy

I agree with the pen idea if the gardens a size that makes supervision dfficult

agree with all of the above.
Our cassie is a springer but wont go any deeper than her belly lol.
Springers are all dif you could have one that loves to swim and the other doesn't really like the water.
From exp we live canal side and neither of my girls jumped into the canal as pups even though the canal is at the bottom of the garden.
Used to worry about water the same when our children were growing up lol
At 2 years old dottie does jump in now but she knows she can climb out cassie still doesnt go in.

I agree with keeping them safe from the water until you can supervise play.

Both Heather and Brandy fell into our pond during that puppy "no fear" stage and because they couldn't easily get out I had to rescue them. I think that incident alone set us back a couple of years with getting them over fear of the water.

As in most things it will depend on the temperament of your dog as to how they handle new experiences like water, but I would err on the side of "take it step at a time". Find a gentle slope into the river...somewhere where they will find it easy to paddle in and out.....avoid them jumping in at a bank where they will find it difficult to exit....try a paddling pool with a shallow amount of water in or try the beech.

Good luck with the pups and above all don't forget that water and springers make excellent photo opportunities

Steve

Definitely keep them well away from the water.
Two springers ? litter mates ? I probably better not start that one again eh just don't know why people get two

No!! you're right we're quite mad

Steve

Indeed...

Clearly we should have got three

or do what someone I know has done, and keep four. They are 9 months old now, and are ganging up on every dog they meet in the park. She has no control over them whatsoever, and it's turning into a complete and utter nightmare. The joys of littermates.

oh dear... happy to say mine don't show any tendencies like that

I'm sure you are far more sensible, and hopefully sometimes walk them separately and train them separately.