Training Tips with Gizzy (and Cherie): Issue 16

Gizzy’s Newest Adventure: I Saw the OCEAN! 🌊🐾

OMG, friends—this week I got to see something super cool! I saw... the OCEAN! Yep, your boy Gizzy had to brave a seven-hour road trip (in the van—no barf box incidents this time, thank you very much. I'm a big boy now!). We were headed up to the very tippy top of Northern California to help Cherie work with a new Schutzhund club. I totally brought my best sassy self, and let me tell you, they LOVED me. (I mean, duh. I'm fabulous.)

But guess what else I had to do? Wait. A lot. Like, SO MUCH waiting. Good thing I've been practicing! After what felt like forever, Cherie said we were done... and then BAM! The biggest water bowl I'd ever seen was right in front of me. Cherie called it the Ocean. I wanted to dive right in—tail high and full Gizzy zoomie mode—but she said I have to learn to swim first. Something about safety and waves and me being "tiny."

Apparently, there's this sneaky stuff called algae that sometimes hides in water and can make pups sick, so Cherie says I'm going to learn in the pool first. I was like, "Yes! Let’s go!" But then she hit me with the, "It’s still too cold, Gizzy." Boo. She says we’ll wait until next month when the water’s warmer so I love my first splash and want to keep going. Junior says swimming is AWESOME, so I’m counting down the days!

Gizzy’s Tips for Your First Swim:

• Start Slow: Choose a calm, clean, and shallow area to get used to the water. Pools are perfect for your first splash session!

• Watch the Temp: Cold water = no fun. Wait for a warm day so your pup enjoys it instead of running back to shore.

• Safety First: Use a doggy life vest and watch out for icky stuff like algae, especially in lakes or ponds.

• Celebrate the Small Wins: First paw in the water? Treat. Two paws? Cheer party! Make it all pawsitive.

Alrighty, next month: swimming superstar in the making. Until then, I’ll be over here practicing my paddle moves on the carpet.

Stay splashy and sassy, friends! — Gizzy 🐶💦