How cold is to cold?

[AmyK]

Today is was 35-40 degrees and the creek is still iced over in places. My 14 week old pup decided she was gonna step off alittle to far and went under. Not my intention for this to happen. We headed straight back to the house and she seems fine.

But my question is, " How cold is to cold?" Water temp. and air temp? Should I be concerned that she may end up water shy?

She plays in the deep puddles in the back yard and had crossed the creek before, but never has she been so deep that she has gone under and had to swim back.

[JustinS]

if she is doing it all on her own i wouldnt be worried. by no means throw the dummy in the water when it is that cold but if she is just playing around and gets wet no big deal

[mjolnir]

I would be more concerned that she will loose her fear of ice, fall through when you are not watching and drown. My rule is avoid ice at all times - right Connie.

[AmyK]

True.. the area of the creek that we were near was not iced over. Thank you for the advice

[150class]

I would be more concerned that she will loose her fear of ice, fall through when you are not watching and drown. My rule is avoid ice at all times - right Connie.

especially shelf ice !!!!

[steve schreiner]

If you are looking for a number ....some say 50 water temp...I have never taken the water temp but I like the nights to be in the upper 40's for some time before I put them in ...young dogs ...old ones much sooner ....Steve S

[Judy Chute]

especially shelf ice !!!!

"shelf ice".....two layers of ice with water between?

[sick lids]

Ice left with no water supporting it because of fluctuating levels or tides. Some times the edege of ice on lakes, or the broken up ice that blows across to the other side is referd to as shelf ice too.

[Breck]

Today is was 35-40 degrees and the creek is still iced over in places. My 14 week old pup decided she was gonna step off alittle to far and went under. Not my intention for this to happen. We headed straight back to the house and she seems fine.
But my question is, " How cold is to cold?" Water temp. and air temp? Should I be concerned that she may end up water shy?
She plays in the deep puddles in the back yard and had crossed the creek before, but never has she been so deep that she has gone under and had to swim back.

Sounds like you have a creek running through your back yard.
I'm sure the little bugger go a shock when she went under.
Most folks worry about training puppies in cold water because it adds to stress of training possibly causing a bad water attitude later. Coming out of water into frigid air isn't fun either.
If after this dunking your puppy goes romping back into the creek of her own free will, and it is not dangerous, you may be OK who knows. Adventurous pup may not be phased by a little cold water later.

When you get to actually training puppy your water needs to be 65+. In Ohio that means late April or May.

[Wayne Nutt]

I'm with Breck on this. Lardy recommends a minimum of 55 degrees but prefers in the 60+ range. Lardy wrote a RJ article on this subject.