My poor GSP Blitzen is having a lot of trouble swimming.

The River which runs through my property was largely dry for the first eighteen months of his life, and not much water elsewhere either.

So he didn't get much swimming in and often it was only shallow anyway.

Siegfried my previous GSP was a real water baby and would jump into the water at the slightest pretext Summer or Winter.

Took Blitzen out for a swim on the weekend. We have had the river flooded and it dropped to a better level. He didn't take much to go for a swim but the second time the poor dog looked like he was panicking and try to stand up with his head as high as possible. Really splashing and getting nowhere. Thought I might have to jump in to get him out, but he splashed his way out himself.

Bit of a worry that he is having trouble swimming.

So decided to take him swimming as much as possible at least once each day for practice.

The river was up and high again yesterday due to rains, but today was lower so he had another session.

A couple of short swims but he is quite hesitant. Still he is wagging a lot and having great fun anyway, and seems to enjoy the water, just not swimming. He can be coaxed in though.

So I guess practice, practice, practice, and getting my waders out to get in myself might be the answer.

What suggestions do people have? Thanks.