Is the ruffwear life jacket is better? Is the handle solid? Any advice on how to make my pool better to get in and out for him?

Well, you know we are going to be biased about this question because we LOVE Ruffwear's Float Coat . But the reason we do is because it really, absolutely, paws down is the best dog flotation jacket available. We've tried others and they don't cut it. That's why Ruffwear's Float Coat is the only jacket we carry in the Tripawds Gear store. Here's why:

• Yes, the handle is ergonomically placed for easier lifting in and out of the water.
• The padding is strategically placed all around to keep a dog upright while swimming. Other float coats only have padding on the sides, which can make dogs topsy-turvy in the water.
• It LASTS. We have every float coat we've ever bought from the time Jerry was with us, and they still work great. Nothing has ever come apart or broken on our coats.
• The new Float Coat design is better than ever. It's more tailored and has a better fit. Plus the colors are terrific! We will have a full review coming soon.

When it comes to jumping into the pool, I'm just guessing based on what I know about rear leg amputees, but...perhaps Novak is not confident because he doesn't have the propulsion he used to have when he had both back legs. All of dogs' propulsion to jump and move forward happens in the rear legs. With one less leg they are weaker in the rear.

If he used to jump in, he has it within him to to it again. But it will take lots of patience and tons of yummy treats to bribe him to leap in. Is there a way for you to work with another person in the pool? You can stand in the water and bribe him to come in with treats, while another person gently lifts and helps him in? This would also be a great task to work on with his rehab therapist. Is there a way for you to do that?

Most dogs won't jump into a pool even if they have all four legs. Our Wyatt won't, and neither would our Jerry. Animals have a problem judging depth and when standing above a drop-off like a pool, or ramp, they panic because they don't know how far it is to the bottom. We won't even try to get Wyatt into a pool, he's much too freaked out. Jerry never would, even when he had four legs. But both of them have no problem swimming in lakes and ponds that have shorelines in which they can gradually walk into the water.