Question:

Most Labs love the water.  my Lab does.  She often takes herself out to the creak and comes back wet and dirty. Much to my disgust.  When on outings she will even get into troughs.  For her it is water.  She loves the water. Maybe all your dog lacks is confidence in the water.  My dog was like that the first time.  Not any more.  She loves it.

Response:

One thing that also helped with our labX puppy was when she followed us into the water we put our hand under her belly so that she felt safer. When she was "dog paddling" we casually took away our hand.  She learned  quickly and has no fear of the water now. Alison – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I am a first time dog owner and I now understand what all the fuss is about. >Annie (short for Anniversary since she was a gift to my wife on our 2nd) is >a 20 month old yellow lab that I got from a back-yard breeder.  She was the >runt (<3 lbs at 7 weeks) but now has topped out at 53 lbs.  Nice, >submissive, and really eager to please.  But I guess a dog lover would know >that about labs. >Anyway, we live 2 blocks from the beach and I see LOTS of labs fetching >sticks, bumpers, balls…. in the ocean, but I’m a little wary of starting >her out in a wave situation (not really that big at my beach, but I’m >cautious).  There’s a river runoff area that never gets more than 3-4 feet >deep and I’ve been working her there.  She goes in for the stick/ball until >she starts to lose footing, then stops.  She refuses to get the stick if she >actually has to swim.  Suggestions would be great.  I don’t want to "ruin" >her and I’m very positive in the training. > Try to find a QUIET little POND or LAKE somewhere, where the water > just laps up on the shoreline and only very gradually gets deeper. > [Make sure she's swimming well in a lake or pond *before* you try her > in the ocean.] > The sounds of the waves crashing may be frightening her at the same > time she’s trying to "get her feet wet," so to speak. > Plus, make sure the pond or lake bottom is FIRM and doesn’t easily > collapse. > Keep throwing the ball (better, buy a small retrieving dummy or > "bumper" at your local pet store) for her, but only throw it into the > very shallow water at first.  Not until she’s PLUNGING in full-steam, > should you start throwing it into any deeper water. > This may not happen the first few days you try this, Michael, but if > you keep at it, I guarantee that one day soon she’ll be swimming. > But if she’s not swimming on her own after a week or so, you *might* > have to get in the water yourself and hope that you have built up a > reservoir of TRUST in your dog that will help her take that first > plunge just to be with her master. > That is, stand in the water yourself, say in knee-deep water, and then > throw the dummy (or ball, etc.) just a few feet from shore. > Initially, if she has a FAVORITE toy or ball that’s easy to retrieve, > use it.  Then you can wean her over to the throwing dummy. > Additionally, if she has a doggy buddy that *already* swims, see if > you can get that dog’s owner to come along with you and help your dog > get over this initial fear of water. > Don’t have one?  Then try using a stranger’s dog, if it’s a fearless > swimmer and retriever.  Your dog will soon pick up on what’s she’s > supposed to do and take the plunge. > Just don’t ever FORCE her into the water, okay? > You’ve got to TRICK her into the water, and once she’s knows she *can* > swim (and she can), she’ll swim! > Come back and let us know how it worked out, okay, Michael? > PS:  Why did you wait so long to introduce her to WATER? > — > Dogman > Dogman’s *New* Web Site > http://www.i1.net/~dogman > Dogman’s Book Recommendations > http://www.i1.net/~dogman/books.htm > Jerry "The Shyster" Howe’s REAL Web Site > http://www.i1.net/~dogman/scam.htm > "If I had a dog that HID when strangers got onto my property, or threatened > it, I’d cut to the chase and shoot the damn thing myself." >                          Elaine "The Executioner" Gallegos-Gallant-Goofball > "The Wits’ End Dog Training Method manual states right up front that it will > not make sense to you." >                                        Jerry "The Shyster" Howe

Response:

>I am a first time dog owner and I now understand what all the fuss is about. >Annie (short for Anniversary since she was a gift to my wife on our 2nd) is >a 20 month old yellow lab that I got from a back-yard breeder.  She was the >runt (<3 lbs at 7 weeks) but now has topped out at 53 lbs.  Nice, >submissive, and really eager to please.  But I guess a dog lover would know >that about labs. >Anyway, we live 2 blocks from the beach and I see LOTS of labs fetching >sticks, bumpers, balls…. in the ocean, but I’m a little wary of starting >her out in a wave situation (not really that big at my beach, but I’m >cautious).  There’s a river runoff area that never gets more than 3-4 feet >deep and I’ve been working her there.  She goes in for the stick/ball until >she starts to lose footing, then stops.  She refuses to get the stick if she >actually has to swim.  Suggestions would be great.  I don’t want to "ruin" >her and I’m very positive in the training.  

Try to find a QUIET little POND or LAKE somewhere, where the water just laps up on the shoreline and only very gradually gets deeper. [Make sure she's swimming well in a lake or pond *before* you try her in the ocean.] The sounds of the waves crashing may be frightening her at the same time she’s trying to "get her feet wet," so to speak. Plus, make sure the pond or lake bottom is FIRM and doesn’t easily collapse. Keep throwing the ball (better, buy a small retrieving dummy or "bumper" at your local pet store) for her, but only throw it into the very shallow water at first.  Not until she’s PLUNGING in full-steam, should you start throwing it into any deeper water. This may not happen the first few days you try this, Michael, but if you keep at it, I guarantee that one day soon she’ll be swimming. But if she’s not swimming on her own after a week or so, you *might* have to get in the water yourself and hope that you have built up a reservoir of TRUST in your dog that will help her take that first plunge just to be with her master. That is, stand in the water yourself, say in knee-deep water, and then throw the dummy (or ball, etc.) just a few feet from shore. Initially, if she has a FAVORITE toy or ball that’s easy to retrieve, use it.  Then you can wean her over to the throwing dummy. Additionally, if she has a doggy buddy that *already* swims, see if you can get that dog’s owner to come along with you and help your dog get over this initial fear of water.   Don’t have one?  Then try using a stranger’s dog, if it’s a fearless swimmer and retriever.  Your dog will soon pick up on what’s she’s supposed to do and take the plunge. Just don’t ever FORCE her into the water, okay?   You’ve got to TRICK her into the water, and once she’s knows she *can* swim (and she can), she’ll swim! Come back and let us know how it worked out, okay, Michael? PS:  Why did you wait so long to introduce her to WATER? — Dogman Dogman’s *New* Web Site http://www.i1.net/~dogman Dogman’s Book Recommendations http://www.i1.net/~dogman/books.htm Jerry "The Shyster" Howe’s REAL Web Site http://www.i1.net/~dogman/scam.htm "If I had a dog that HID when strangers got onto my property, or threatened it, I’d cut to the chase and shoot the damn thing myself."                          Elaine "The Executioner" Gallegos-Gallant-Goofball "The Wits’ End Dog Training Method manual states right up front that it will not make sense to you."                                                                            Jerry "The Shyster" Howe

Response:

>>Sniff.  Sniff.  Sniff. >Yup, the distinct aroma of TROLL SHIT is in the air. >Have you got Bloodhound in your Genes?

Is that anything like Booker’s in your Veins? >Or was that the discriminating opinion of a CBR?:)

Only time will tell, Kevin. ;>) — Dogman Dogman’s *New* Web Site http://www.i1.net/~dogman Dogman’s Book Recommendations http://www.i1.net/~dogman/books.htm Jerry "The Shyster" Howe’s REAL Web Site http://www.i1.net/~dogman/scam.htm "If I had a dog that HID when strangers got onto my property, or threatened it, I’d cut to the chase and shoot the damn thing myself."                          Elaine "The Executioner" Gallegos-Gallant-Goofball "The Wits’ End Dog Training Method manual states right up front that it will not make sense to you."                                                                            Jerry "The Shyster" Howe

Response:

>Sniff.  Sniff.  Sniff. >Yup, the distinct aroma of TROLL SHIT is in the air.

Have you got Bloodhound in your Genes? Or was that the discriminating opinion of a CBR?:) -Kevin         Searching for a companion….

Response:

>Because you are a first time dog owner maybe you do not know about >this.. Ever Canine just like you and me, we have our own >personalities. Same with a Canine. >Its good that you are trying to get her to swim, dogs love it, they >know how already in their minds they sometimes need to practice though >:) >-Matt (Dog Behavior Specialist and Trainer)

Sniff.  Sniff.  Sniff. Yup, the distinct aroma of TROLL SHIT is in the air. — Dogman Dogman’s *New* Web Site http://www.i1.net/~dogman Dogman’s Book Recommendations http://www.i1.net/~dogman/books.htm Jerry "The Shyster" Howe’s REAL Web Site http://www.i1.net/~dogman/scam.htm "If I had a dog that HID when strangers got onto my property, or threatened it, I’d cut to the chase and shoot the damn thing myself."                          Elaine "The Executioner" Gallegos-Gallant-Goofball "The Wits’ End Dog Training Method manual states right up front that it will not make sense to you."                                                                            Jerry "The Shyster" Howe

Response:

>I don’t want to "ruin" her and I’m very positive in >the training. I’ve got alot of the basics into her >including sit, come, shake, fetch, drop etc. If >this is not the appropriate group, or you know of >a FAQ that addresses this please let me know. >Thanks in advance, >Michael & Annie

Hi Michael and Annie~ A few questions. Have you had her since she was a puppy? and if so why didn’t she swm before? Is it warm where you are right now, to go swimming? (for you) if so… Okay,go to the beach with Annie’s toy.. Throw the toy just a few feet away from the shore. When she brings it back throw it a little farther. If she starts getting scared,to go farther out, walk out with her…if like I said you can swim.. and then when she is walking or paddling near, throw it a couple of yards from you while you are in the water. She will probably get her courage up and get it.. If not talk to her sweetly, and start walking or swimming torwards it yourself. I’m pretty sure she will beat you to it! and.. This is the RIGHT place to get help, from SOME people… Woof!and Good Luck!! Paulette~ A dogs life is too short…    Their only fault really…

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, then stops.  She refuses to get the stick if she >actually has to swim.  Suggestions would be great.  I don’t want to "ruin" >her and I’m very positive in the training.  I’ve got alot of the basics into >her including sit, come, >

Force fetch train. This means that come hell or HIGH water she will retrieve. I had a young lab pup that was leery of water at 3 months but first I trained it to retrieve as a play thing,  and then gradually worked it into warm water in the summer time.When he was mature he would break ice for a dummy or real bird. some dogs just need to be exposed to water more often.     I would suggest ,introduce him gradually and even go in the water yourself (if possible) and make a fun time out of it.Once he gets the idea that its` fun in the water and in the summer much cooler, he will be hard to keep out of the water. Ed.Ontario.Canada

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Because you are a first time dog owner maybe you do not know about this.. Ever Canine just like you and me, we have our own personalities. Same with a Canine. Its good that you are trying to get her to swim, dogs love it, they know how already in their minds they sometimes need to practice though -Matt (Dog Behavior Specialist and Trainer) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->I am a first time dog owner and I now understand what all the fuss is about. >Annie (short for Anniversary since she was a gift to my wife on our 2nd) is >a 20 month old yellow lab that I got from a back-yard breeder.  She was the >runt (<3 lbs at 7 weeks) but now has topped out at 53 lbs.  Nice, >submissive, and really eager to please.  But I guess a dog lover would know >that about labs. >Anyway, we live 2 blocks from the beach and I see LOTS of labs fetching >sticks, bumpers, balls…. in the ocean, but I’m a little wary of starting >her out in a wave situation (not really that big at my beach, but I’m >cautious).  There’s a river runoff area that never gets more than 3-4 feet >deep and I’ve been working her there.  She goes in for the stick/ball until >she starts to lose footing, then stops.  She refuses to get the stick if she >actually has to swim.  Suggestions would be great.  I don’t want to "ruin" >her and I’m very positive in the training.  I’ve got alot of the basics into >her including sit, come, shake, fetch, drop etc. >If this is not the appropriate group, or you know of a FAQ that addresses >this please let me know. >Thanks in advance, >Michael & Annie

Response:

I am a first time dog owner and I now understand what all the fuss is about. Annie (short for Anniversary since she was a gift to my wife on our 2nd) is a 20 month old yellow lab that I got from a back-yard breeder.  She was the runt (<3 lbs at 7 weeks) but now has topped out at 53 lbs.  Nice, submissive, and really eager to please.  But I guess a dog lover would know that about labs. Anyway, we live 2 blocks from the beach and I see LOTS of labs fetching sticks, bumpers, balls…. in the ocean, but I’m a little wary of starting her out in a wave situation (not really that big at my beach, but I’m cautious).  There’s a river runoff area that never gets more than 3-4 feet deep and I’ve been working her there.  She goes in for the stick/ball until she starts to lose footing, then stops.  She refuses to get the stick if she actually has to swim.  Suggestions would be great.  I don’t want to "ruin" her and I’m very positive in the training.  I’ve got alot of the basics into her including sit, come, shake, fetch, drop etc. If this is not the appropriate group, or you know of a FAQ that addresses this please let me know. Thanks in advance, Michael & Annie

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