6 week old lab pups/water conditioning

[50inchpig]

Took the new pup (6 weeks) to the lake last night to let him get his paws wet if he wanted. He ended up jumping off the pier and taking a dunk, but came up and started swimming for a few strokes until I grabbed him. Didn't think he'd do that. Aside from being cold didn't seem to stressed about it.

I was half proud and half worried that might have been too much too soon.

This will mainly be a boat dog, not a hunter, so I want to acclimate him to the water correctly.

How much should I let him experiment and should I give him the chance to get wet again within a few days or just take it slow? He didn't seem too freaked out, just a little cold.

[lenny7]

I'd let him run around a shoreline with a gradual incline so he can go part way in, rather than all or nothing.n Play around with one of his favorite toys right next to the water line. If he doesn't go in on his own, eventually get the toy in the water just a few inches deep, gradually going deeper as he shows confidence. I wouldn't push it though, at that age, he has plenty of time to get used to water. Perhaps go two or three times where he's just wading before having him go swimming.