Does this dog look like he's scared of water?

[PacificDogwod]

He's come a long way, baby!

Been with us for almost 2 and 1/2 years, arrived absolutely terrified of bodies of water: trying to hide behind me, shrinking away, shaking at anything larger than a puddle on the pavement.
He can swim, I've seen him do it but does not do this voluntarily (swam after he had fallen off a boat jetty... terror of water came before this event but it did of course not help).

Now? Loves the water, fetches sticks as long as they are not too far out, frolics around in it and has a huge big grin on his face!

I love my daft hound

Awww - he's lovely.

My dog followed my friend's water loving dog into a small stream once (I was surprised since he'd never gone in anything other than a shallow puddle) he paddled in, getting gradually deeper, then the water touched his tummy he arched his back like a cat and turned and ran back out and came and stood by me, back still arched, looking sorry for himself. He's never gone more than paw depth into water since.

My dog is weird about water. He gets very excited when asked if he wants to go swimming. He knows the command "go swim" and will wade out, do a couple of loops or figure-8s, and then wade back. That's about it. No fear that I can see, just... wants to do what I ask?

Though when we were property hunting, we took the dogs with us (it's as much for them as for us!) and he found one little creek he loved so much he just hopped right in, drank about half of it, and had a little lie down in it. Wouldn't come out for treats. No idea... Unfortunately we did not get that property, but he seems to love the one we are getting!

I love how strange and wonderful dogs are. They really fill an empty nest, too. :)

Aw, thanks for sharing stories about your dogs and water

No empty nest here just yet 10+ years to do but who's counting?

We walk with a friend who has a springer spaniel and he's mad keen on water, in and out of the local river, swimming and just loving it. I think he has 'taught' our water phobic hound that it's not all bad

He still hates the garden hose when he comes home all muddy so I clean his feet with warm water in an old washing up bowl.

Your daft hound is beautiful

My whippet doesn't love water. He tolerates baths but will jump over puddles out on walks. On the plus side he doesn't do mud either

Oh the water hose!! The instant my dog hears the squeak of the handle turning, or sees us even look at the hose, he goes into playattack mode! There is absolutely NO hosing anything off in this house. It's just impossible! He's got to be dragged indoors when we've got to hose off boots or whatever, otherwise not a drop of water will touch anything but him. Same dog slinks away as though he's been scolded if I say any word that even resembles "bath"!

Then the other dog, who is genuinely so boisterous and confident that he's almost rude (I call him an arsehole and tell him he'd have no friends if he were human ) will tuck his tail and hide behind something as far away as he can get from the hose. It's bloody adorable to see this brash and almost pushy dog timidly peeking out from behind the posts on the porch, with only one eye and half his biggo snoooot visible because OH DEAR GOD WATER FLYING HELP ME HIDE ME! He'll go from playing and goofing to very serious and quiet, trying to become invisible, and it's so sad and funny that it breaks my heart to laugh at him so!

RE feet washing I've seen a product made for just that. www.thepawwash.com/ It sounds silly at first, but if it's something you struggle with, it could be helpful. However, if your dog doesn't like his feet/legs manipulated, then it might not work for you.

TWO AND A HALF YEARS?!?

Good lord Pacific, I remember you getting him - where has the time gone?

He's lovely. You've done a good job with him.

Yep, he turned 4 last week, was just a baby when we got him

Large, overgrown baby, but a pup in spirit.

He's great, but still as skinny as a rake. He has not gained a gram since we got him in spite of all sorts of foods. Wish I was like that...

I love that product for paw washing btw, JWrecks, I may well seek it out