Anyone else ever come across this? - Pushing 2 year old ESS keen to enter water, bounds out of her depth and sinks!! And I mean like a stone!! No ripple, no
air bubbles - nothing! Frightened the hell out of me! I've only had her for about a month and she's fantastic in every way - apart from this!
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ESS that sinks in water?
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 wendy alexander |
ESS that sinks in water? |
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Posts: 533 (25 May, 2009 19:50:38) |
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polmaise |
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Posts: 24 (25 May, 2009 20:30:33) |
Obviously No Ballast???
Seriously, never came across it Wendy? I have had a labrador ,that wanted to sink!!! every time it enterered water it wanted to 'dive under and swim like an otter' wierd??? it took me ages training on water at knee height for the dog. This did cure it(or maybe a bit Maturing', Ill never know? |
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crackerd |
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Posts: 768 (25 May, 2009 21:52:23) |
A spaniel "buddy system" via lend/lease would put paid to such scenario: say, sending a Boykin across so the springer could piggy-back across the
surface with no trepidation of sinking.
Actually, would mark this down to inexperience or underexposure to water, if any exposure at all. No exposure, even though the dog has a nice entry into water? Yes, I see a similarity with trialing ESS in the States--big bold water entry then proceed maybe 10-15 feet before turning back to shore (though they do manage to swim back...  ) 'Tis said of one spaniel FT pro,
"His dogs only get wet when it rains." Meaning no water work, or maybe a plop into a kiddie pool at best.
Robert, the diving thing is indication of determined dog--here, dogs dive for cripples as a matter of course after the ducks themselves have dived. Had a spinone that would stay under like a submarine going for a downed duck. Now most of what the dogs get are wounded geese, which dive only as a last resort, but will stay submerged for 20-30 yards before popping up again. The Labs keep gaining "ground" on them till they (the geese) are "all dived out," then go under with them and surface together, with one hauling, one hauled. MG |
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 Eric Begbie |
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Posts: 1876 (26 May, 2009 01:51:42) |
Hi Wendy,
Where have you been hiding. Great to see you on the Forum again. Can't really add to what MG and Bill have said. I think it is just experience and gentle encouragement that will help here. A dog with inflated lungs will float, so it seems that either it is breathing out when entering the water or deliberately trying to keep its feet on the ground. Eric |
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wendy alexander |
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Posts: 534 (26 May, 2009 18:33:44) |
Hi Eric - great to be back thank you
 . Too much work and not enough time!
I think she was as shocked as I was - given the expression on her face when she surfaced! She's quite a determined soul and was game enough to give it another go of her own choice (partly because my old lab was showing off and swimming around like a mermaid and partly because she is a game little %%#+#!) but she sank again!!! I'm hoping it is just inexperience - guess I'll have to get the old wetsuit out and get in there with her! Ha ha.... never done swimming lessons for a dog before LOL! |
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wendy alexander |
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Posts: 535 (26 May, 2009 20:43:50) |
A friend of ours had a lab that would dive and chase ducks under water - it made for some cracking photography!! In fact, he still has possession of a photo of
the duck diving and the lab swimming, in hot pursuit, under water!! One of the best photo's I've ever seen!! Duck and dog - both under water!
Sadly this little ESS did sink like a stone - I'm just going to have to get very wet! |
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Eugene Molloy |
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Posts: 386 (27 May, 2009 14:44:23) |
Hello my Deario!
I have used a few retrieves on to the far bank across a shallow stream (doggie wading depth) to introduce Springers to water, then graduated to a place where they can wade, then have to swim a yard or so across a deeper bit and wade out. From memory your brook might have a few suitable places. Worth a try anyway. BTW Jack never did have his wicked way last season with the lady dog (can't use the word rhyming with "itch") in question .... her hip scores were awful. I have just taken in a nice lady dog from Swinbrook / Glenbriar lines; we'll see what she brings to the party this season and then think again. The lad himself is in robust form .. and then some! XX from Eug and Jude
Last Edited By: Eugene Molloy
27 May, 2009 14:47:10.
Edited 1 times.
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wendy alexander |
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Posts: 536 (27 May, 2009 18:18:54) |
Hello my lovelies!!!
Glad to hear Jack's in fine form - sad to hear that he didn't have his wicked way though, but a damn good call on your part! I wish more people would make the same call and not breed from bad stock! If I had a pound for every phone call about are we still breeding - I'd be a very rich lady!!! I was so..... tempted to have a pup, from our lines (which would have been Hannah's great granddaughter - the breeder is a good friend of ours and picks up here every shoot day, he's also been very selective with his choice of stud dogs and kept the build, stamina and pace) last year - but I'm just working far too many hours to look after a young puppy properly and also I'm out on the road most of the time, so it just wouldn't have been fair to her. Hence my new 20 month old acquisition - she's really nice though - apart from the sinking??? Hannah and Jack's Grandma Hope are still going strong! Hope will be 14 in January - so she didn't work last season but we did get a lovely 5 generation photo of all the girls which I'll try and post. Hannah is 11 now - but still working and game! A bit disgusted that she's been relegated to half days only though!! Hope all is well with you and Jude. Love Wendy |
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wendy alexander |
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Posts: 537 (27 May, 2009 18:34:30) |
Photo should be up there now Eug?
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Eugene Molloy |
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Posts: 387 (29 May, 2009 20:35:08) |
Wendy
Nope, nozzink. MOLLOP@AOL.COM Eug |
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wendy alexander |
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Posts: 541 ( 1 June, 2009 20:11:47) |
Hi Eug
I can see them??? I'll send them on to your email - bet you and Eric wish I hadn't returned?? Just burned 'HEYYOU!'s ears a tad!!! |
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Eugene Molloy |
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Posts: 389 ( 6 June, 2009 21:51:01) |
Got it, thanks.
I've been absent from the forum for some time too ... up to my ears in building works and dogs. Eug |
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wendy alexander |
She swims!!! | ||
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Posts: 542 (25 June, 2009 20:18:38) |
She finally got the hang of it - with a bit of help from Hannah and some competition for the retrieve. Now leaping in like a good 'un!!!
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- Gundog Psychology and Advanced Training Techniques
- Gundog Training Course
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- Breeding Topics and Dogs at Stud
- Feeding, Housing and Health
- Training Diaries and Blogs
- Gundog Training Magazine Online
- Photo Gallery
- Miscellaneous Discuss any other topic
- Puppies and trained dogs - For Sale and Wanted
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Wildfowling - Duck and Goose Hunting
- Archive
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