How to Train Your Dog to Stay Out of a Pool

Hello Jessica, Check out the Reel In method from the article I have linked below. This method will need to be done very carefully around any water, be done with a poly type rope that floats, and pup wearing a back clip harness. Start with easier to navigate water, like puddles, creeks, kiddie pools, streams, graduated shallow lake or river banks, and the shallow end of the pool or just pool steps. Keep the training line coiled up safely so that there is not dangling extra rope that could get caught around you or pup's limbs or body. Reel In method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-whippet-to-recall More come: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/train-dog-to-come-when-called/ Another option is to also teach pup an e-collar Out or Come command. I would start these commands on dry land, then be able to use that training around water later, once learned. Out: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ E-collar info: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtJxSXu4rfs&t=51s Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Rama, I would start by teaching pup using a long training leash and teaching the Out command to stay away from the pool perimeter. Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Once pup has learned to leave the pool alone when you are present to enforce that rule calmly and consistently, there are a couple of ways to enforce that training without being present. The first way is to physically gate off the pool from the area where pup spends their time, so pup doesn't have access. This is the safest option to ensure pup stays out of the water at all times. Another option is to train pup to stay away from the pool using remote collar training, with pup wearing an electric collar that's waterproof and has a wide range of levels to ensure you find the lowest level pup will respond to, called pup's working level. Using your long training leash and your Out command you have taught, you would practice enforcing those commands around the pool with you present. At first while the pool is calm, then intentionally adding in distractions like a family member jumping into the pool while you are present to correct pup for getting close and reward pup staying away. Once pup is good while you are present, then I would let pup outside while you stay inside and spy from a window, being ready to correct remotely while pup thinks you aren't there, if pup tries to enter the water. I would keep pup inside your home at times when you aren't prepared to spy on them and correct until pup is consistent about leaving the pool alone, so that pup thinks they will always be corrected for trying to enter the pool, and isn't approaching the pool without correction at times and corrected at other times, and the training less reliable. How to find the stimulation level and fit a remote training collar. Make sure you only use a high quality collar designed for duck hunting that's waterproof, like Sportdog, Garmin, Dogtra. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cl3V8vYobM Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden