please help i'm lost

[DDT]

well this is how it is. I have a 9mth old black lab who will not go into the water to retrieve on dry land 100% no problem. I have tried the thing on the leash lets go for a walk that's ok tried bringing a older rertreiver to show her this is the way it's done. nope nothing works. I am lost I need

[skypilot]

I'm no dog trainer but I had the same issue with my female choc. lab .

I waded, swam etc. and even tossed the ball through puddles and small streams before it finally clicked. I began to think I was the only one to have a lab that wouldn't swim or be comfortable in the water.

I attribute her reluctance to having fallen in at an early age into frigid water and me having a difficult time getting her out due to a downed tree in the water.

It all worked out due to helping her overcome that fear and some maturity on her part.

[Longgun]

Swim with her, after she has been for a long hot walk (with no water). Ahort retrieves at first right at the shore and building them as she gains confidence.
deb

[bellerivercrossbowhunter]

That's unreal. My girl is bananas about water. In fact sometimes I wish she wasn't. She feels the need to jump in every ditch no matter how gross they are..lol

[skypilot]

I probably contributed some to her reluctance by being over protective and trying to prevent her from entering the water without my ok.

Just too dangerous back when she was a pup with all the gators.

Here, she just jumps in as soon as we get near water.

[Cass]

well this is how it is. I have a 9mth old black lab who will not go into the water to retrieve on dry land 100% no problem. I have tried the thing on the leash lets go for a walk that's ok tried bringing a older rertreiver to show her this is the way it's done. nope nothing works. I am lost I need

Forget about the retrieves and focus on making water fun. Go in for a swim with her. Put your trunks on and wade in with her, praising her and having fun. My dog routinely goes swimming with the family this time of year. He'll go off shore or jump off the boat and swim in the middle of the lake for hours with us (he never tires, I do feel that swimming tires him a bit more than running does). Perfect time of year right now - its hot and water temps are warm. Get in there!

[DDT]

hi everyone. I have tried the lets spend a day at the beach but no. never was she forced to go in the water. on dry land she is perfect but water well she will sit oh so nice and wait for the bumber to float to her. it may take the better part of the day but she will wait. I hope she gets it soon but for now I just shake my head. she knows left, right, sit, stay out all by the whistle and hand but water I am confused. thanks all I guess we just keep working. ya gotta have a since of humour training dogs but when you put a experience dog out to show her how it's done and she still won't do it guess who's tail is between their legs

[overtheir]

Ok u stated that u where over protective of the dog and let it go do to gators how u inforced that maybe the cause or another thing that could be a factor is the size of body of water it may intemadte the dog . So put the dog on a lead ( check cord) and U wade out into the water and encourage it to come tug lightly on the cord DONT DRAG THE DOG IN . Most dogs have a strong need to be with the master so when your out there pump the dog up toss dummies ducks whatever it takes but don not let it float away keep it in your control so the dog want its it has to come to u . If the pup steps forward and gets a toe nail wet give positive praise and keep going even if only get it to get a paw wet . Once this session is over don not give it any land retrieves as it will figure out that it gets reward on land so work strictly on water . Have u done any other training with the dog.

[terrym]

When all else fails food usually works. Buy a package of weiners and keep feeding them to her as you back into the water. Never heard of a lab pass up food. Then praise the hell out of her and treat her again. Bet she's swimming like a beaver in no time.

[terrym]

That's unreal. My girl is bananas about water. In fact sometimes I wish she wasn't. She feels the need to jump in every ditch no matter how gross they are..lol

Damned Labradors, they do have nice looking noggins. Bet she gets away with lots of things.