Puppy has water aversion

[ellesmom]

I have a quick question for the forum. On Monday I will be adopting a 10 week old newf/landseer that we will be calling Elle (we are pronouncing the "e" long as my son, who is french and english speaking, thinks it is cute and funny to mis-pronounce it, my son's 5!). Well, each time Elle has been bathed by the breeder she cries. She loves to drink from her water-bowl, but is scared of her baths. My husband is really worried that she will have an aversion to water work. He knows how I have my heart set on swimming with her and doing water work, so he thinks we should actually take Elle's sister "Zelda" who LOVES the water. I told him that I thought we should stick with his first instinct, he loves Elle's lovey, calm personality, and she immediately took to my son and husband. I think she is a honey and have growned to really love the idea of being her mum!
Has anyone heard of a newf that DIDN'T like water and wouldn't change his/her mind despite training???
Help! Monday is coming fast and I can't stand feeling so "in between" since my husband mentioned this to me today.
Any feedback would be appreciated.
Ellesmom

 

[mollysmom]

Hi, and welcome!

I don't know how much help I'll be. I tend to go with my first decision. It's usually right . I don't think the fact that she doesn't like her bath has a bearing on whether she'll be a good water dog or not. She could be crying because she doesn't like the shampoo being rinsed off with a sprayer, the tub is too high and she doesn't feel safe, or any other number of reasons.

I think any water dog will eventually enjoy the water so long as their introduction to it is right. I wouldn't force her, but maybe start with a kiddy swimming pool for her to cool off.

My opinion, is go for Elle, she was your first choice. Good luck!!

 

[ellesmom]

Thanks, that is true she may not like the way she was being sprayed. Come to think of it, we fostered cared a part newf dog once and he loved to swim, put didn't like his bath. I guess my husband just got me hyper worried.
By the by, we used to live in Reston, VA. I noticed you are a Maryland resident! We loved the area.
Thanks for the adivce.
Ellesmom

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

Not all newfs or water dogs can or enjoy swimming.
There have been many previous posts from people on this boatd that have newfs that don't swim.But I do agree with Linda, that just because Elle doesn't like her bath may have nothing to do with her ability to swim. I think in the long run, you would be better off with a pup that gets along well with your family, than to have a great swimmer that never bonded with your family. I don't think there is any way to tell if a pup will swim or not, so if it was me, I would go with my first instinct also.

 

[brady]

Brady hated (and still does) the bath tub when we was younger, but at the same time he would go right into the river like nothing at all. Maybe just like any baby they don't like being held (or made to sit still) for the bath. Now at 8 months he is a 2 person job for the bath.