Gun Dog Forum

I am picking up a lab pup next weekend and I am wondering if I should try to introduce it to water before winter gets here. (From Wisconsin) Will waiting till spring delay it too much so the dog won't take to water? please let me know

thanks

Personally I'd wait until next Spring. Getting introduced to very cold water is not a way to start a pup off in in my opinion. ( I always try to buy a spring pup if possible.) What's wrong with the bathtub in the middle of winter?

Sharon wrote:Personally I'd wait until next Spring. Getting introduced to very cold water is not a way to start a pup off in in my opinion. ( I always try to buy a spring pup if possible.) What's wrong with the bathtub in the middle of winter?

I'd be a whole lot more inclined to introduce pup to October water in a play environment than to bath water that is more apt to instill negative associations. There'd be no baths for my retriever pup until he was absolutely loving water work - if ever.

This being a proper retriever bath:

LOL To each their own. My pups have always enjoyed a warm water bath tub splash. never affected their love of the real thing.
October in Ontario is not a time to be introducing pups to water.

I have never had a pup shy from water because it was cold unless you wait till it is frozen. Even the Brits will lay in the mudpuddles after breaking the ice on them. I think we too often use human characteristics when working with animals. Because water is cold to us does not say a polar bear, walrus, or a Lab puppy thinks so. Introduce but don't force. There is no possible way you can go wrong with that approach.

Ezzy

Alright thanks for the help guys.

Sharon wrote:LOL To each their own. My pups have always enjoyed a warm water bath tub splash. never affected their love of the real thing.
October in Ontario is not a time to be introducing pups to water.

unless you are in the mood for a pupsicle

Rick Hall wrote:

Sharon wrote:Personally I'd wait until next Spring. Getting introduced to very cold water is not a way to start a pup off in in my opinion. ( I always try to buy a spring pup if possible.) What's wrong with the bathtub in the middle of winter?

I'd be a whole lot more inclined to introduce pup to October water in a play environment than to bath water that is more apt to instill negative associations. There'd be no baths for my retriever pup until he was absolutely loving water work - if ever.

This being a proper retriever bath:

siding with Rick on this one- just how cold is October water- pretty darn warm in my opinion- darn better than spring if you're concerned with cool water
I've already had my 11 week old pups in big water-
make it fun- get in with the youngster- not one thing to be afraid of

I got my pup about this time last year. I waited to introduce him to water until the next summer. Looking back I wish I would have done it right away. Can get the dog swimming now but took a lot of patience and CHEETOS! Thanks again cheeto lady.

My Lab Pup(9months) i bathed him before i took him to big water which was only a few weeks ago. He doesnt want to get in the bath and he hates hosepipes and i had to get him clean. He wants to get out of the bath the whole time but when the bath is finished he goes crazy(excitement).
He still doesnt want to get in the bath but it doesnt have a influence on him when we get to dams etc. He just gets in the dams straight away on his own.

But i never forced him into water and let him explore it on his own. And got in with him in the beginning but would not go in, in the winter.
Good luck...