TJ91 Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 a good friend of myne has taken on a 16month old labrador it had been taught the basics (sit, stay, heel, come back) he has spent alot of time with her and shes been coming on a treat, retrieving game (fresh and cold) from open fields and thick cover she seems very keen to please the only problem he cant seem to undo is the water, she will walk through a puddle or a very shallow stream but she doesnt want to get in there if the water reaches her belly this is a bit of a problem for him as he was wanting to use her for wildfowling is there anyway of getting her in there and enjoying herself? we tried at a small pond, maybe 20x10metres, fairly clear water, we threw a dummy out into the field at the side and she retrieved straight away, did this a few times then threw it in the water, just a foot or 2 from the bank, she went and collected it, then after a few more goes we through it further out, as sooon as the water gets near the top of her legs she bolts staright back out, but she doesnt look afraid just doesnt seem to want to go in! Any help would be appreciated as he will be gutted if he cant use her as she should be on the marsh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 get her out with another dog that likes water and try again. Get a bit of competition going with the dummies and it may push her into enjoying it. Choosing a hot day as well helps, my GWP was a bit reluctant she got over it when trying to get to a duck at Grafham water that was staying just out of reach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ91 Posted June 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 thanks, will give that a go Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longy0710 Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 Must admit that I did just what is explained above, I have a 4 month old lab and am introducing him to everything at a young age. Took him out with an 8 year old lab for a play. A couple of times seeing the older lab fetching balls from the water and he was straight in and swimming! Scared me when he first went out of his depth as his head went under when he turned round with the ball!! I was nearly swimming in after him! As above take the dog with an older lab that is confident in the water and she should be well away Longy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandalf Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 (edited) Put on your chesties and go wading with the dog. Sees you in it will come with you - Doesn't know you are still walking. Make a big game of it. Don't worry about dummies or anything - biccies work better! Take another dog as well if you have got one. Might take a few goes but she'll come in the end - especially if you are feeding the other dog. Don't rush it or you will put her off for ever. Edited June 1, 2012 by Grandalf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixer1 Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 I have a problem getting my labs out of the water! :blink: throw treats into a nice slow moving pool in a river. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chefy Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 Put on your chesties and go wading with the dog. Sees you in it will come with you - Doesn't know you are still walking. Make a big game of it. Don't worry about dummies or anything - biccies work better! Take another dog as well if you have got one. Might take a few goes but she'll come in the end - especially if you are feeding the other dog. Don't rush it or you will put her off for ever. did just this with my dogs and it worked a treat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 did just this with my dogs and it worked a treat +2 :good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 Choose a hot day and get in with her. Examine if there is a reason for this, has she had a bad experiance? lots of re-assurance required if she has Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shropshire_Lad Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 My springer was a fail as a gundog, or rather I was a fail with her. The one thing we did get right was water work. A friend had his dogs with mine while she was a pup in the shallows of the river severn, she never looked back. I,m sure her confidence in water was gained from seeing older dogs enjoying it...I'll have some of that please! As others have said, once they feel at home you can't keep them out of it! atvb Paul. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosebank22 Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 i totally agree with getting in with your dog. after all, if they see you doing it, then they will follow. I took my lab when she was a about 12 weeks old into the sea, she has loved water ever since. Didnt just throw her in mind, lots of praise and moving away whilst keeping close enough to give them confidence, like teaching a baby to swim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sco77w Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Tie it to a Springer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted June 5, 2012 Report Share Posted June 5, 2012 Put on your chesties and go wading with the dog. Sees you in it will come with you - Doesn't know you are still walking. Make a big game of it. Don't worry about dummies or anything - biccies work better! Take another dog as well if you have got one. Might take a few goes but she'll come in the end - especially if you are feeding the other dog. Don't rush it or you will put her off for ever. Thats what I did too, got in there with her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.