started with a small, shallow tupperware bin from home depot with a little water in it. threw some of his toys in there. this was the day we brought him home. he would do one paw....two paws...and eventually all paws. this way, water was not intimidating. he eventually would lie down in it, play in it...and when he wanted to play with water he'd go sit in the empty tupperware bin and look at us, like...."fill 'er up!" When he grew out of that we got him a kiddie pool. eventually, we brought him to a local river that had some quiet spots that he could wade into and then swim. Also took him to a lake, put a life jacket on him and swam there with him. Before we knew it, we couldn't take him to my in-laws without him jumping in their pool....and while they tried to be mad, mostly everyone was amazed to see this "water dog" doing his thing! The BEST way to introduce a dog to anything new is slowly, and at their pace. Not pushing them to go against their instincts as young pups, but allowing them to work through them. Encouraging and supporting them. I've seen people throw puppies into pools, lakes, the OCEAN! not ok. sure fire way to keep your dog out of water the rest of its life is to force it.
and I second what Liza said..other swimming dogs are the best motivator for a timid swimmer.
