get your dog into a pool for the first time.

The first thing to always remember is to allow your dog a chance to familiarize themselves with new objects and environments. Be sure that they get a good sniff of the pool and have had a bath in the past so they are used to what the water sensation on their body feels like.

Once they've begun jumping into the pool on their own, you'll know it's time for the water.

Once they're ready for the water, allow the pool to be filled up with your dog around so they'll know where the water came from and that it's safe. If you're lucky enough, from excitement, they'll simply jump in on their own trying to lap up the water.

However, in the case of the reserved dog, you may have to work harder on your part. Once the pool is filled, simply take their favorite toy or anything they would want really bad and aren't normally allowed to have (such as a sock or slipper) and place it right in the center of the pool. Or a spot that is hard enough to reach that the dog can only get the item if they go into the pool.

If you have a smaller pool and they can still reach it without having to actually enter the pool, simply constantly move the item when the dog gets closer until they're so absorbed in almost catching the item that they step into the pool on their own.

Praise, praise, praise! Once they have made any contact in the pool, such as a paw entering or falling in there by accident, praise them.

If your dog needs extra encouragement, simply get in the pool yourself. They only need to get in there on their own once for them to remember it. Before you know it, they'll be rolling around in the pool themselves.