Getting Pup to Swim

[ctuma]

I have a 7 month old pup that will go into the water but is a not always willing to swim. He has swam a few times but he still seems kind of afraid jump right in. Any ideas on what I can do to make him love the water?

[Jarrod32]

Does it retrieve? If it likes to retrieve, toss something that floats a little ways out...my Golden Retriever loves retrieving, but had never been in water. I tossed one of his favorite toys out a ways (after making sure it would float) and the dog was swimming like a master to go get it...

[Ufatz]

Not to worry. Just start frolicking around in the shallow water every time you get a chance. Soon he'll join you. When he is accustomed to the shallow stuff, toss a training dummy (bumper) a few feet out.

Please do not worry about this and do NOT force the dog to go into the water. He'll do it on his own. Trust me.

Patience. At all times, patience.

[Captain B.R.K]

Yes, patience is the key to water introduction. If you push the dog to hard, you will have even worse problems than you do now.

I had the same troubles with my pup, same age, and after going to the lake several times with a few other dogs she t got the hang of it. Now we throw the dummy and she doesn't want to come out of the water. She associates having to come to shore means going back in the truck which = home!

It's tough, I been there done that. Just be consistent with your training and the pup will come through.

[fishroger]

My pup is 6 months and didnt like the water at first. Be patient. Started throwing the jolly ball in the water and it was hot out. He all of a sudden liked the water. I cant drag him away from the water now, he puts the anchor down and pouts if we have to leave. He could swim all day now if I let him.

[ctuma]

Thanks all for the advice

[Harmonica Bear]

Patience is a must and make it fun at the beginning. Two weeks ago I gave my setter it's first introduction to real water. He's a year old and I know I waited too long for this, but it still needed to be done. It was a battle to be sure. I made it a game with his tennis ball on the shore, and slowly I tried to coax him in the water. At times we brought the lab out for the competition factor and that did nothing. He wanted nothing to do with the lake water. Two hours later after on and off again playing at the water's edge he finally decided the water was ok. He would at least walk in up to his belly. I kept tossing the ball out just a little further (the lake had a very gradual drop in depth). Then, just like a switch turned on, the water was too deep to walk and he was swimming. An hour later, he was swimming out past the dock without hesitation. It took three hours! It tested my patience, there was a point I pretty much said to heck with it, but I kept everything positive and fun the entire time with lots of breaks. Now I need to continue with some mild water work just to make sure he stays comfortable. By no means do I want or even expect the dog to hang with the water dogs in the water, but I certainly want to make sure he understands water is no big deal. Pateince and keeping it fun was the key. Fetch it up, pup!

[trailratedtj]

the shorthair i once had just loved the water. Took maybe 2 outings he had it. patience got him and he was hooked, by 6 months i would carry him over to my fiances grandparents(they have a lake house on waconia) and would look out the window and couldnt find him to save my life. I got up and ran outside looked out in the water and he was just laying there, just soaking it up. He loved the water so much and it was so hot he would actully just go lay in the shallow water about 8 inches deep and cool off. Being a shorthiar with its energy you could throw bumpers all day long for him, none stop. Her grandparent would tell me "your gonna kill that dog" and i would return back with "no he's gonna kill my shoulder" you couldnt get him to stop and when you did he would just go back to laying in the water waiting. Great dog. Ended up letting him go to a guy out in burnsville. Said he killed 75 birds over his head his first season out. (Contact Us Please) good dog he was.

Just thought id share

Daniel

[ctuma]

I got the pup to swim after taking a young pigeon and tossing it out in the middle of a small pond. The pup charged right in the water and grabbed the bird and swam back to me with it. I did this several more times without any problems. I guess the bird drive in the pup helped him overcome the fear of the water. Thanks to all who responded.