Hydrotherapy for dogs...

[JackReacherReader]

Wow I'm having all the fun threads tonight!!

My dog has quite bad arthritis and with help from mumsnet I got him some good pain relief and a better exercise regime.. the dog walker is trying to keep him from chasing do so he's not over stimulated and he's not over exerting himself.

I've got him some hydrotherapy sessions. But today his first session did not go well! He wouldn't move with the floatation vest on at all. He's always hated anything that fastens under his arms and over his back.

He just wouldn't move!! Stood stock still so they tried to readjust it, took it off and he launched himself into the pool 🤦‍♀️ please help me!! How do I get him to accept the vest? Is it going to be a long play of getting him to accept the vest?

Sounds like you are doing some great things to help your dog. See if you can take him to an underwater treadmill. Better for arthritis as is supported weight bearing and the water height can star low and without a jacket while he gets used to it.
Good luck, when done successfully hydrotherapy is amazing for dogs.

Does he like swimming anyway? He may not need the floatation device but could just wear the harness they use to guide him?

Our hydrotherapist used the lifejacket with DDdog for a while as he wasn't naturally a swimmer but now he swims without one. Pretty sure that with dogs she knows are confident swimmers they go without the lifejacket form the start. They do need something which the therapist can grab onto in case of emergencies though.

I think what you describe is quite common. You could do some desensitisation at home with harnesses as well, which may help.

@fivedogstofeed he loves to swim. I felt so bad for laughing when he jumped in as soon as they took the harness off!

In that case I would definitely talk to them about using less 'kit' - they will have seen this happen before.

If you are in SouthWest I can recommend a hydro therapist who also has a treadmill?