Intoducing my pup to the water

[logden]

What is the best way to introduce my little newf girl to the water. We've set up a couple of kiddie pools which she loves to prance around in. We've carried her into our inground pool and she did swim a little but we were afraid to let her go. Is it best to take her to the beach and let her wade at her own pace with us? Don't want to traumatize her.
:kgo_027:

 

[nowhavethreebears]

Yes, taking her somewhere she can just walk in is the best plan I think.
And you are right--encourage her but don't push her. If all she wants to do is wade around a bit the first time or two, let her.
Try walking out into the water a bit and see if she will follow. Take a toy like a bumper or anything she likes that floats and entice her with that.
Praise her for being a brave puppy.
Not all pups take to the water immediately. My Hannah wouldn't swim till she was well over a year old...She was afraid of the water as a pup. But patience paid off and today she loves to swim.
If I remember correctly your girl is still pretty young, yes?

 

[911Newfs]

Encourage her and make it fun, use toys and lots of really good treats. Don't force her to do anything she is uncofortable with.

Book: Water Work, Water Play by Judi Adler
http://www.sweetbay.com/bookwater.htm

This book pretty much covers everything and highly recommend it.

 

[Wayne A]

When Chloe was a pup14 weeks she just followed my late lab right in.When my lab was a pup he followed the dog at the neighboring cottage right in.If she has a dog friend take them together and the older one will coax the pup.See what happens.Good Luck

 

[BluwaterNewfs]

How you introduce your puppy to water depends on your puppy and her attitude towards the water. IF she doesn't seem scared then introduce her to the steps in the pool and gradually show how to get in the water. If she is splashing wildly in the water she is not comfortable and beach setting would be better. We off treats as the dog comes in deeper and deep and jackpot when they actually swim. You need to go at your puppy's pace and not force it. They need to learn that can swim.

I have puppies that go right ans start swim immediately and some that have taken weeks till they are comfortable. Some only need to shown a couple times. Once in while you will see a newf that doesn't like to swim.

 

[logden]

Yes still a youngin' - she just turned 15 weeks on Saturday. She loves the little wading pool. I thought it might be a good idea to get a swim vest to give her a little more confidence. Thoughts?

 

[logden]

Thanks. I'll check it out.

 

[SunnyD]

Once in while you will see a newf that doesn't like to swim.

Umm, perhaps you are referring to Sunshine, who we affectionately call a "Hangashore Newf" :blush:

 

[4ondafloor]

Pae, who is almost a year old, waded around up to her belly for a while. Was a little unsure about the whole swimming thing. Then, one day when she was ready she went full out swimming. Couldn't get her out! Now, every time we head to the lake I have to make sure I have plenty of towels and a couple of bumpers cuz she's going swimming whether I like it or not! She loves, loves it.
Sydney...well...he's my Big Ole Lard Butt who would rather wade around and stick his head under water. He waits for Pae to retrieve the bumpers and takes them from her and runs. Haven't seen his swim yet. He's 16 months old.