On Mon, 7 Jun 2004 14:56:51 -0700, "Rod McInnis"
wrote:



One aquaintance of mine has a lab that can climb the standard three step
boarding ladder on the swim step! My cousins weiner dog can also climb the
boarding ladder, but only because it is small enough that it can swim up the
first step (which is belly deep to it) and get its entire body on the step
and then jump up to the next step.

An arrangement that I have seen that appears to work really well is a ramp.
Hinged against the swim platform, weighted at the other so it sinks, held in
position by floats on lines.

Rod

I was shown a trick for getting dogs up on platforms and docks that
worked great but it won't allow the dog to get out unassisted. The
dog won't require any training either. When the dog swims up, just
support the back of her head with your hand and let her push back on
your hand while climbing up. The dog will be out of the water in a
flash and even with a big dog there is little effort on your part.