Training a Water Hating dog to love Water

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Tue May 24, 2005 5:18 pm

Our Setter sint the most water loving dog and where I hunt is right on a lake. Luckly I havent had one go down in the lake. I was wondering how to get my setter to like to swim. I bought one of them plastic retriver dummies and plan on slowly getting her into the water. ANyhting else I can do?

llewgor · Post by **llewgor** » Tue May 24, 2005 5:57 pm

I got my a kiddy pool for the hot days when she was young. Now she loves the water and I can't kept out of the water or MUD. When she sees a puddle she slides through it. Get a kids size pool they're only 5 to 10 bucks and maybe that will help.

Post by **grant** » Tue May 24, 2005 6:10 pm

Throw a quail into a pond. IMO, That tends to get them in quicker than a canvis dummy....

llewgor · Post by **llewgor** » Tue May 24, 2005 6:22 pm

Grant
that's a great idea

it made me laugh visualizing it but man that would work.

Post by **grant** » Tue May 24, 2005 6:23 pm

gone · Post by **gone** » Tue May 24, 2005 10:23 pm

Another thought just put on your waders & go in first most dogs will eventually follow you in when they figure out that "The water isn't hurting Dad so it must be ok."

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Tue May 24, 2005 10:30 pm

I got my a kiddy pool for the hot days when she was young. Now she loves the water and I can't kept out of the water or MUD. When she sees a puddle she slides through it. Get a kids size pool they're only 5 to 10 bucks and maybe that will help.

I tried and she dont go in it. She walks around it but not through it.

Throw a quail into a pond. IMO, That tends to get them in quicker than a canvis dummy....

We shot a duck last fall and she would only wade to her chest. She really loves this plastic dummy so i figured what the heck.

Another thought just put on your waders & go in first most dogs will eventually follow you in when they figure out that "The water isn't hurting Dad so it must be ok."

Tried that this weekend but she once again only went to her chest. I am going to keep working her.

Post by **Ayres** » Tue May 24, 2005 11:40 pm

I think it's just going to take time until she warms up to the idea. Keep up the training, sounds like it sure isn't hurting matters.

Colleen · Post by **Colleen** » Wed May 25, 2005 5:51 am

How old is she? Is it possible she just needs to grow up? I got both my pups in fall so they got late water starts, my male started swimming around 5months, my female around 6-7 months. But for each of them, one day something just snapped and they went from waders to swimming out 200 feet into the lake at the drop of a hat.

One more suggestion, something we did with our first pup. Have another person pup knows go out in the water with you and, like people do with kids, try to get pup to swim between the two of you. Failing all else, just be patient. My dogs learned to swim on their own time. She'll get there.

snips · Post by **snips** » Wed May 25, 2005 7:16 am

Well, this is a little krass, but when training dogs come in that hate water and it`s the heat of the summer, they HAVE to get cooled off. I take them out for a session and when they are needing to get cool I take them by the pond and give them a little toss in. Usually after 2 or 3 times they are getting in on their own. When I head them for the pond they know it`s time to get in. Pretty soon they love it. I recommend the slower way tho if you have the time.

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Wed May 25, 2005 10:22 am

She is 5 already. I just think it is because she hasnt been around water alot. We have a koi pond in the back yard but she really doesnt go in there.

Casper · Post by **Casper** » Wed May 25, 2005 10:39 pm

Ryan,
Start shallow, a rain puddle and like Grant suggested a quail or anything that gets pup fired up. Once pup enters on its own move to somewhere thats a little deeper and keep getting deeper till pup is up to its chest then move to a spot that gently slopes off throw pup something just far enough its feet just leave the ground for a moment. When pup returns get the quail just a few more feet out. This time its forward motion will force pup into swimming. Pup may turn back but thats ok go and get the throwing object and try again it shouldnt take long as long as the air is warm and the water not cold. Be patient and dont force your dog let its own desire help your dog like water

ward myers · Post by **ward myers** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 5:32 pm

swimming
i am no expert ,but the monkey see monkey do
is always the best aproach
take your dog to the lake with some dogs that love to swim
ward

Ryan · Post by **Ryan** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 6:02 pm

I finally got her too. It just takes lot of coasting. I will try more dogs though. Good idea thanks.