So now that Phoenix has gotten better and really excited about swimming out for a stick, I've decided it's time to transfer that behavior onto a toy because sticks can cause injuries. So the night before we went to the park I put some value on the toy by having her retrieve it for food and making it extremely exciting to get. Then when we got to the park we did a bunch of land retrieves to practice. My husband was sure I'd lose the wubba in the river. At one point, I totally thought we were going to lose it, too! Her butt started sinking and she made her way back to shore without it but she immediately went back in to try again. I'm so proud of her! She's gotten so brave!
We had 100% success rate with rescuing Wubba from the river but only 95% retrieve to my hand. A couple of times she got distracted by Zoe and took off with it into the forest. Luckily I was able to find it each time she dropped it. Or she'd run around with it in her mouth and drop it near me. I apologize for the quality of these photos. I didn't feel like dragging the better camera with me so these are all from the cell phone.
Here's a short video compilation of her retrieving Wubba. You may want to turn the volume down because I'm cheering very loudly!
That is great. We might get something out of the water, but no interest in bringing it back to mom! So glad they swim as it is so much fun!
ReplyDeleteGood job Zoe. You were brave throwing a toy out there.....lol. Thanks so much for joining the hop!
ReplyDeleteIt was Phoenix. :) Zoe still doesn't go in any further than where her toes can touch. Mostly she eats grass while I play with Phoenix. LOL
DeleteYay Phoenix. That was very brave rescuing Wubba!
ReplyDeleteHi Y'all!
ReplyDeleteGreat retrieve Phoenix! You've got a fun future!
Hey, Humans, don't kid yourselves, we know where we left our bumpers, toys, whatever. Next step, hide it and teach her to go find it. Then when she learns that, you can send her to retrieve it when she leaves it someplace. At least that's what my Human does.
Y'all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog
She is SO stinkin' cute! Our big dogs LOVE the water and retrieving. Flash retrieves rocks, since he doesn't bring them back. ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd you had every right to cheer her on. She's adorable and she did a great retrieval job.
ReplyDeleteHave a terrific day. Scritches to Phoenix. ☺
Congratulation, Phoenix (great name). I've wanted to do this with our dogs, but I'm afraid that they'll leave the toy out in the water. Maybe we'll just give it a shot this summer anyway. How else will we learn?
ReplyDeleteWe started with sticks, that way if they lost them no harm done. You just have to be really careful because they can injure their mouths on sticks.
DeleteWow- very talented Phoenix. So cool you rescued Wubba. Kilo is not a great retriever or swimmer, but he is a very good dancer and cuddler. X Susie
ReplyDeleteThat is so awesome and what a testament to your dedication to helping her overcome that fear. Delilah loves playing water fetch too, what we use is a hunting/training bumper. They are designed to float so I don't worry about it sinking. I think we got a three pack for about $7 at our local sporting goods store. At that price, even if we lose one, I don't feel badly about it. :-)
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining the blog hop!!
Oh wow! That is a really good price! I was looking at bumpers at Petsmart but they were like $12 for one!
Deletehahaha love it!!! i really need to work on two of my huskies with the water this year!
ReplyDeleteღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
So the Wubba is great to use in water? As in does it get waterlogged after a while and sink? :P
ReplyDeleteWe played in the water for over an hour and it didn't sink! :D It did get waterlogged and stopped squeaking until it dried out, though! LOL!
DeleteThat is so damn cute! Her little butt as she swims is adorable. :p
ReplyDeleteShe is awesome!!!! I always worry about the same thing (losing a toy) so I use tennis balls which aren't so "menetarily" valuable.
ReplyDeleteIt's great that she has such fun retrieving from water!!!
Crikey .... how good is that? Mum hates sticks so it's good that Phee is retrieving the wubba. Mum gets real worried when she sees peeps throwing sticks for their dogs.
ReplyDeleteWell done...her tail is wagging so hard, she loves it!
ReplyDelete