Surfing Dogs Hit The Waves

I don't like to paint with a broad brush, as there are exceptions for the rules, and stereotypes are truisms and because almost everyone agrees, they hold water. That being said, muscular people, who train in the gym v. in the water, are not equipped to handle the challenges of heavy water. I have lots of friends who are beasts, and are very muscular with no body fat and surf and don't get in their way! But most gym rats are worthless, or worse, in the ocean for longer than two minutes. My love handles have saved me from drowning in big surf like a pair of water wings. Fact.

As far as dog breeds go, some are made for the water, and some, like bulldogs and pits, are not. I remember the time I was living in the mountains of East Tennessee, and when I moved back home to Florida, I had a pit bull. As soon as I got home, before I stopped at my Mom's. I stopped at the beach. The dog ran to the shoreline, and started to drink the water. He was used to mountain streams and creeks. he took one lick, shook his head, took another, looked at me , and walked back to the truck. I laughed my a$$ off.

 

Surfin Paulie, there are a few things you can do to help ensure you get a good pup from the shelter. If you are new to training dogs, I recommend getting one as young as you can (though old enough to be weened from mom) so they have ample time to bond and you aren't having to deal with any baggage from previous experiences. When picking out a pup, playfully roll them over gently to their back and pin them just for a few seconds. As a novice trainer, I would suggest looking for a dog that doesn't fight you too much when you do this. A dog that squirms, nips, and tries really hard to get out is usually an indication of a more dominant dog. A dominant dog is trainable, but they require a bit more firmness. I would also recommend gently pulling at their ears and gently pinching their toes (with the balls of your fingers not your nails) to see how they react. Most pups will pull away or nip, but you'll notice some will be gentler or have longer patience than others. You also will want to watch how they play with other pups in their litter. Are they the instigator, do they keep to themselves, are they a bully. Feel free to ask the workers at the shelter about the pups personality too. All of this gives you a window into how they will mature as adults. It's not absolute science, but it helps.

Once you get a pup, I HIGHLY recommend K-9 obedience classes. I usually put my pups through three classes: A puppy socialization/intro to obedience, a basic obedience course, and a K-9 Good Citizen course. Most kennel clubs have classes and so do your local Petco's and Pet Smarts. I recommend the Kennel Club if that's an option, they are there because they love dogs not to make a profit. That said, there are some great trainers at Box Stores as well. Classes usually run from $25-75 and each class is about 6-8 weeks long. They are well worth the time and money. By the end of the classes, you and your pup will have an excellent foundation of communication and trust to build on.

I apologize for the rant, but I'm pretty passionate about dogs (if you couldn't tell). I've worked as a trainer, ran dogs through agility, and also have been lucky enough to work with herding dogs on a farm. I can't recommend the classes enough. They really are crucial in building a solid relationship between you and your dog, especially if you are a little unsure of your training ability.