Laura W.
Posted : 5/2/2006 10:14:14 PM
Hi! I live in Central Florida with two very water crazy border collies. I also have a pool. There are 3 ways to keep dogs out of lakes: teach a reliable recall and call them off, avoid lakes, keep them on leashes. Seriously! I don't let my dogs in lakes unless it's during the day (no dawn, dusk or nights) and during the summer and there is LOTS of activity in the area with swimming, boating, etc. Gators are usually out hunting during dawn, dusk, and night and tend to avoid areas with lots of activity (unless stupid people feed them!). Of course this time of year is mating season and there is a large amount of movement with gators...as in no gator today, 6 foot gator tomorrow. To be on the safe side I just let my duo swim in the pool.
We used to go to a spring run in the morning and let them play frisbee. It's a very high use area with swimmers and canoes, but pretty empty in the a.m. The depth ranges from 2 inches to just over their heads. Well, the last time we went I found fresh footprints (HUGE) and the track from a large gators tail.....needless to say we left!
We also go visit friends up north and let them swim in their lakes! Sometimes you just have to love the sunshine state.
Laura