Dogster

Need help understanding water behavior!!!! please respond!

Hi, How- are......Squirre- l!

Barked: Wed Jun 15, '11 10:15pm PST


	Hey guys, my 1 year old black lab-border collie mix LOVES the water. She has started barking and attacking the water while spinning in a circle. She is typically a fantastic listener, but becomes so engulfed in this behavior she cannot hear me or the dog whistle. What is this behavior about?? Wondering if she is expressing some dominance? She swims well with other dogs, and mostly does this when she is swimming by herself. I'd like to keep her safe and stop this behavior if I can. Thanks much in advance!

I'm the boss,- that's why!

Barked: Thu Jun 16, '11 10:00am PST


	Wow. Haven't run across that behavior before! Does she do it in a creek or river, lake, pond, pool, or whatever? I'd try taking her into the water on a leash, where you might be able to control the energy level and have her relax. Tucker

Hi, How- are......Squirre- l!

Barked: Thu Jun 16, '11 1:39pm PST


	thanks tucker! She does great and remains focused when we throw her balls, exc, but will run out in the middle of the pond attacking it. I thought it could be a typical water behavior, but couldn't find any research! I'll try her on the leash. Haven't noticed this behavior in creeks yet. It's sad because her favorite exercise is swimming, and want to keep her knees healthy!

Tucker-roni- -Loves to Eat- Food

Barked: Fri Aug 26, '11 11:28am PST


	Hi, It sounds like your dog is orbiting in water! Orbiting is usually when a lab or any dog is very excited and they just uncontrollably run around in circles. Its like a burst of energy. I am a six year old excitable yellow lab and I still do it at least once a day!(and I get tons of exercise) Sometimes I even bark! But instead of running on land it sounds like your dog is getting very excited in water. Hopefully that info. helped! Woof from a very happy labbie orbiter, Tucker