WATER WAYS 3 Vest Test

We finally got to go back to Jeanie's pool and try out the new swim vest. After a few minutes to get used to the added floatation, I could tell how much calmer Shadow was in the water. Yes, this was only his third session, but I could tell when he entered the water it was not a reluctant dog stepping into the pool. I was so glad to see him willingly swim around. He would swim to the side of the pool and then push off and turn to come towards me. He did this multiple times without any voice command from me. He also came towards me with me using only hand signals. Shadow swam over to the steps while I was fooling around with my dive mask. He climbed a few steps and I guess he thought we we finished. No, Dog, we have a few more things to learn. I called him back into the water. He made a short leap and DOVE into the pool. I'd like to see more of this in the future. We have all sorts of things he's got to learn, but I am patient and happy with his progress. He's doing fine.

Shadow looks great in his new, yellow life west. One of the buckles came unfastened and I had to call him over to the steps while I adjusted it. I thought it was sort of odd that he cruised through the water at an angle. Once the buckle was fastened and snugged up, Shadow floated horizontally and was much more at ease. The vest did its job. I even got him to just float there without moving his paws and he looked over at me as if to say. "Hey, this is neat!" (What he was really thinking is anybody's guess)

I thought I'd get away with wearing only a tee shirt instead of my wet suit top. Within two minutes, Shadow had scratched me on my right fore arm and a good welt across my lower chest. I think I'll go back to the wet suit just for the protection from his claws. He's not hurting me on purpose; he has no knowledge of his claws as a weapon.

Jeanie shot an overview of Shadow and I working but I need to learn video editing on the computer before I post more than the most elementary video bits. I hope you enjoy watching the puppy learn his water ways. I'm sure enjoying it; he is eager and willing (and he waits patiently while I dry off first; humans get the first use of the towel).