My dog keeps biting us in the water

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Zabou33 Icon representing the flag French
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Hi everyone,

Our dog (1 year old) is a good swimmer and loves being in the water. But when we go swimming, he swims towards us and if he's out of his depth, he bites us (sometimes drawing blood) and puts his paws on us. We can't figure out if he's scared and trying to herd us back to the shore, or if he just doesn't know how to react when he reaches us and can't touch the bottom anymore. He doesn't know how to tread water. He's no longer afraid of the water, but it took him quite a while to overcome his fear. Does anyone have any ideas or advice? Thanks.

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  • ProvetoJuniorConseil
    Provetojuniorconseil Icon representing the flag French
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    Hello, This behaviour is quite common in dogs and doesn't necessarily mean they're being aggressive. More often than not, when they swim out to someone, they're just looking for something to hold onto. Because they can't tread water very well, they grab on with their front paws and might accidentally nip or bite due to stress or excitement. The fact that it took him a while to gain confidence in the water could also be a factor; he might still be a bit anxious when he's out of his depth. To avoid getting bitten, it's best not to let him come directly towards you when he's in deep water. You could try calling him back before he reaches you, or gradually teach him to turn around or swim beside you instead of climbing on you, using rewards. It's also a good idea to stick to areas where he can still touch the bottom for now, until he feels more confident. Try not to push him away too roughly when he grabs hold of you, as this might just make the reflex stronger. If this behaviour persists despite your training, don't hesitate to get in touch with a dog trainer. All the best, Inès
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