it is not uncommon for short hair dogs with single layer of coat to only swim when it is warmer. We have noticed that at dock diving too, that even the GSP`, vizslas, weims etc which usually got ranked in top 5 get disadvantaged when the water is cold and the labs or other fury dogs would outjump them / the short hair ones often refusing to jump.
We'll chalk this up as a testament to the intelligence GSP`, vizslas, weims, etc! Pffft! I'm not diving into cold water, either!🤣😂
I made that experience too, and the opposite as well: 30 F outside, Bende at 11 months old in a heavy jacket, we are the only brave souls around our local lake, so I decided this is a great time to practice recall. Next thing I know Bende with heavy jacket on swimming in the lake chasing the ducks and geese... he was very upset on the way home how he felt VERY cold and I did not have anything to wrap around him
As we live in Upstate NY, Aly is no stranger to very frigid weather... and at the same time, she rarely passes up an opportunity to play in water, regardless of temperature or location.
I always have towels in the truck. We are so often out and about, playing, being prepared to dry this crazy mutt off is just a way of life. Almost always, prior to leaving the house, we go through a little "ritual" in an attempt to provide Aly with context of why we are leaving. We have a few different rituals, each just normal type stuff ya would do when ya leave a house to go do something. I've just created specific structure of things I do, the order I do them and things I say to her. Part of the ritual of preparing for a trip to a long walk in the forest, is packing HER towels. Oh... and at the end of every walk in a forest, I lower the tailgate of the truck, she jumps up, I remove her ecollar and harness and she gets rubbed down with a towel, if she's wet and dirty, or not!
Shame on you,
@Gabica, for not being prepared for vizsla antics!🤣😂🤣😂
How did she sleep after her play date?
I don't remember, specifically. Puppy play dates are a pretty common occurrence... and Aly is pretty darned fit. Pretty much an endurance machine. This State Forest is only five minutes from the house. If I had to guess what Aly did when we got home, after the very short ride? She probably walked into the house and found her ball, wanting to play fetch!🤣😂🤣😂 Sleeping isn't generally an option for her.🤣😂
The leash thing is kind of subjective here in CT also.
Technically, a pet dog is supposed to be on a leash less than 7’ long in the state parks and forests, but that’s hard to enforce with all of those retractable leashes.
We only have four designated “ off leash” areas in the state. 😕
In a way, I can understand why states are so restrictive. We live in a very liability driven, litigious world. It's just a shame, "people" screw things up, like they normally do, by bringing untrained, unruly dogs to public places. I feel quite fortunate for the freedom Aly is allowed.
As long as I am away from the campgrounds, and back in the woods, the DEP folks leave me alone. They also recognize that Finn is a bit more than a pet dog.Maybe the bell and eCollar give it away.😉
DEP officers, ENCON officers, Forest Rangers, DEC officers... whatever particular official title in associated jurisdiction, with massive predominance, are "outdoor" type people. I agree 100% with you, they recognize (and appreciate) a well behaved, well trained, working dog, out in the field.
Have fun, and Start working on her water retrieval with her.
Thanks! We've every intention of water retrieval play. Though, it'll just be for fun. Quite some time ago, I decided I was not going to hunt Aly. Over time, bird populations in this area have dwindled to a degree where I couldn't provide Aly with enough consistent joy of actually hunting. Fear not! Aly's remarkable intellect, disposition and athleticism continue to be developed and challenged. She's currently in the midst of formal training for two distinctly different "activities", which I've yet to mention here.🤪
