Lab question?

[Double Wing]

Got a young lab not even a year old that will not get in the water for anything! Won't even walk in water- What to do?

[Super-X]

When the water gets WARM, put on your waders and slowly coax pup out alittle at a time. If he/she is good with fun bumpers start with a bumper at edge of water & go a little more with each toss. If you've got an older dog that may also help - let the big dog go get bumpers while pup watches. Make it fun!!! Whatever you do - DO NOT toss pup in water, go slowly & let the pup do it on his own.

[D. Walker]

I agree, be patient with the dog - time will tell....work the pup slowly to get a better attitude - heck winter just ended or ending could be cold still.

Also if the pup has never been around it before it is just something new - that is why during the winter months if I have a pup - they go in the tub for a swim or a kitty pool in the basement.

David

Never force a young dog in the water - ( unless it already has a good attitude and you are doing water force )

Good luck - oh and by the way what is the pedigree on your dog.

[Double Wing]

Dog has a great pedigree. Dad is HRCH Got a started title nothing else.
All dog in the pedigree have a field trial title of some kind.

[Double Wing]

DAD-HRCh Mom just started

[Meeka]

This comes up every year at this time. There are some good, but older threads on it. The water is cold and there is nothing wrong, probably, with dog who has not previously been exposed to the water to not be fired up about it. Wait a month or two and you have about 3 sunny days in a row and find the sunny side of a farm pond or other shallow water that has warmed up. Then try it. Books say you can get in with the dog, but that is probably not necessary. Whatever you do, should be fun, though. The problem is not a problem and it will resolve itself once the dog is introduced to warmer water and fun.

[goosebruce]

If you have an issue with this dog already, you need to be more careful than with a puppy! If you cant walk in the water with short pants and shoes on, its too damn cold for a dog with issues. Ya aint hunting till next nov, so you got time to get this right. A bad water intro, or a bad water experience like sounds like this dog has had, will haunt you forever. So do it, and do it right. The walking in the water and dog following you is the poop, and the other dogs retreiving is right on too. Make sure, for a long long long time for this dog, NOTHING bad happens around the water. Dogs worry, more than most people think. Nothing bad happens around the water for this dog! Good luck. travis