NOT ALL DOGS CAN SWIM!

Rosie doing it on her own!

by Ann LeShay (Mar 07 2014)

NOT ALL DOGS CAN SWIM!
There, I said it!

People often ask why Rosie trains with LARPBO, an organization dedicated to responsible pit bull ownership. Clearly, she’s NOT a pibble!

Aside from the obvious – Rosie is learning good behavior conducive to passing a CGC test and she has canine BFF’s who are members. There are opportunities that extend beyond training class. Classes like dock diving / swim classes. Yes, swim class!

Let me digress for a moment……As a hospital based Pediatric RN for many years I had the misfortune of caring for children who were “Near drowning” victims. Some of these accidents could not have been prevented. However the vast majority of them may never have occurred if the child knew how to tread water or at the very least, doggie paddle to the nearest pool exit / shoreline.

Fast forward to Rosie – the dog who sunk like a rock Our first swim class was stressful at best. Thank heavens Troy Smith is a patient and knowledgeable man! Rosie flailed around as if Troy were trying to kill her. 2 class wasn’t much better – Mariana Borges & Griffin Mekelburg needed to guide Rosie through the class. People like Rebecca Morley & Joellyn Mabery Mumcian were trying to keep me positive by telling me not to give up – other dogs took a while to catch onto the concept of swimming. Then came a brilliant idea from Kelly L Perry – ditch the life vest. It worked for Rudy – might work for Rosie. Troy keeps a VERY attentive eye on the dogs so I felt comfortable giving this last ditched effort a try. So, another class – this time with Troy and Mariana. Rosie was swimming….sorta. With her head held high, still splashing a bit, and her butt dragging in the water, Rosie went into the water after her beloved Chuck-It ball.

With a little direction from her buddy Dexter

Yesterday, Rosie swam! Yes, swam! Thank you Troy, Mariana, and everyone else!! Of course, thank you to Dexter who guided Rosie to the stairs a few times and broke her of the splashing method of swimming.
Rosie learning how to swim….That’s just ONE REASON why we participate in LARBPO!