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July 22, 2014

Penny’s First Swim Lesson at the Dog-Friendly Beach

Nearly every description of Rhodesian Ridgebacks, no matter where you read it, mentions the breed is not fond of water – be it in a bathtub or an ocean. Overall, I have to say I agree with the standard because I know multiple Ridgebacks who refuse to put their paws
Nearly every description of Rhodesian Ridgebacks, no matter where you read it, mentions the breed is not fond of water – be it in a bathtub or an ocean. Overall, I have to say I agree with the standard because I know multiple Ridgebacks who refuse to put their paws on the grass when there’s a morning dew. Knowing this, I gave Eko lots of positive experiences at dog beaches when he was a pup and now he loves to plunge into the water. He’ll usually only swim if I do, but I feel good knowing he can handle himself. I want to make sure Penny feels equally comfortable in the water so we headed to the beach specifically to practice her doggy paddle. Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, dog beach, dog friendly beach, chicago, montrose beach. adventure, marking our territory

Eko helpfully goaded Penny on the shoreline and then dashed out towards me in the water

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, dog beach, dog friendly beach, chicago, montrose beach. adventure, marking our territory

I was happy to see Penny confidently follow suit

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, dog beach, dog friendly beach, chicago, montrose beach. adventure, marking our territory

She splashed up to her chest but suddenly stopped when Eko turned around

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, dog beach, dog friendly beach, chicago, montrose beach. adventure, marking our territory

“Oh, the little pup is afraid!” I cooed. I should have known better. She was just waiting for Eko to look the other way…

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, dog beach, dog friendly beach, chicago, montrose beach. adventure, marking our territory

The little huntress took a stalking bounce

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, dog beach, dog friendly beach, chicago, montrose beach. adventure, marking our territory

And then exploded out of the water!

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, dog beach, dog friendly beach, chicago, montrose beach. adventure, marking our territory

By the time Eko saw her coming, it was too late. The hover-dog was out for play-revenge

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, dog beach, dog friendly beach, chicago, montrose beach. adventure, marking our territory

The titans splashed in the shallows. It wasn’t swimming, but it was…something

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, dog beach, dog friendly beach, chicago, montrose beach. adventure, marking our territory

I broke up the ruckus and for a moment we got back to our lesson. Penny took her first few puppy paddles…

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, dog beach, dog friendly beach, chicago, montrose beach. adventure, marking our territory

But only so she could get back to rumbling with her big brother

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, dog beach, dog friendly beach, chicago, montrose beach. adventure, marking our territory

Eko was ready this time and caught Penny mid-air. Like all big brothers do, he promptly proceeded to dunk her

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, dog beach, dog friendly beach, chicago, montrose beach. adventure, marking our territory

Undeterred, Penny sprang to the surface and gave chase

Rhodesian Ridgeback, puppy, dog beach, dog friendly beach, chicago, montrose beach. adventure, marking our territory

“Guys, the swim lesson? Guys???” 

Well, the good news is Penny seems to have ZERO trepidation about water. The bad news is that the swim lesson was a bit of a bust. But it was certainly fun to watch. Sometimes things work best when you don’t get caught up in a lesson plan. Or at least that’s what I tell myself!

There’s still time left before the lake gets too cold, so hopefully I will report back soon with Penny’s first real swim.

Comments for Penny’s First Swim Lesson at the Dog-Friendly Beach

  1. Victoria says:

    you have already won the battle -she loves playing in the water – now its just helping her to figure out when to dog paddle and when to pounce!!! She is just so fun to see in your pictures with her and Eko! You guys are doing a great job with both of them.

  2. Eve says:

    That was a blast to see! Would have loved a video. But at least she is willing to get into the water unlike the doggy that lives here! Enjoy another lesson soon! Have fun also.

  3. Oh Penny your ears! it’s so funny to watch you and your bro, wish I would be there too (with a distance of course)

  4. Kuruk says:

    You are crazy to play in water! Snow pups usually don’t like water either! Wooo!

  5. meANXIETYme says:

    I suspect I loved that lesson way more than you did, Will. Maybe next time it will be a REAL lesson (with some play on the side, of course)!

  6. Emmadog says:

    As long as she likes the water and isn’t scared I bet she will swim. Mom tried everything with Katie starting when she was only 9 weeks old, but Katie just hates to get wet. The Kuvasz isn’t known to be a water dog either.

  7. fredrieka says:

    we like to prove some things wrong woof high paw!

  8. aud says:

    i think w/o Eko there, you might have to just give up on teaching Penny to swim, but then again, she proves to be fearless already.

  9. Kyla says:

    I wouldn’t have gotten withing five feet of the shoreline. I don’t go in-period. End of story.

  10. Marcela says:

    Penny is a riot. Your girl certainly keep us tuned in to your next post. This is like watching those Telenovelas when I was a child in Ecuador.

  11. Well Penny did wonderfully well on her first water romp so I’m sure she’ll have no problem with her first actual SWIM……I wonder if Eko had been out further in the water she would have done it this time but you have lots of summer ahead!!

    Pam

  12. Ohhhhh those EARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xoxo

  13. Misaki says:

    Hahahah Penny is pawesome!

  14. I think Penny can skip right past swimming and move on to flying. Those ears have gone rogue! Romping and frolicking is a kind of swimming-readiness. Tomorrow is another day…..

  15. Elyse says:

    Duncan had his first experience in the ocean today — we’re letting him explore it a bit.

    How do you get those great pictures — mine are mostly black and blue blurs!

  16. That’s a big first step and she certainly didn’t look fearful. I bet she will do just fine with a real swim.

  17. My, what cool ears you have Miss Penny! And what a brilliant “pounce” shot, Will. This post reminds me of how I thought I might be able to control my twins’ behaviour to a certain degree when they became toddlers. Boy, how wrong I was! He, he! Great post, boys.

  18. We’ve always been told that Ridgebacks can’t swim – something about being too heavy?
    Wally & Sammy

  19. Delightful, playful photos, one and all, though the one with Penny’s ears a’flying wins the “I’m smiling ear to ear” prize. It looks like you all had fun. That is cause for celebrating.

  20. looks like Penny isn’t going to have a problem in the water either, nice to have a big brother to show her the ropes, those are some awesome action shots.

  21. My goodness… those few photos of Penny waiting and pouncing on Eko are beyond good! Love them! And glad Penny had a great experience at the beach!

  22. We are envious of you guys as it is very hot in the UK.

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