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Been a while since I have posted, but Susie is doing pretty good so far (I think). She is now 4 1/2 months old and loves to retrieve. Got her wet for the first time today, and when we arrived at the pond, she went in the water on her own without hesitation. I started throwing bumpers for her in the shallows, and she did great. I threw one in the deeper water, and shortly realized that my pup trys to swim with her body vertical and about 1/3 of her body completely out of the water. Her legs are straight out in front and she flails about until she gets where she can reach the bottom. She did manage to retrieve every bumper, but it was a sight to see. How do you teach a dog to swim? I put on my waders and went out with her and held on to her collar and tried to help her get it, and she did do much better once I did that, but she still has a ways to go. Any suggestions, or is it something she will get with practice?

They will figure it out on there own. Just start making the swims a little longer and they will level out..........

They figure it out in time... sounds like ya got a good one though.. to be hittin the water like that at 4 months.. good luck

I had the same problem. I am agreeing with DIB. They will figure it out on there own. The problem I had was my dog would get so exciting about retrieving on the water that she could not get to the bumper fast enough. The retrieve was not pretty. Bumpers are not a problem now, but if you throw a Duck in the Water, again she gets so excited she cannot get there fast enough and slaps the water with her front feet like shes in a panic, but after the first retrieve she will calm down and become a swimming machine. Good Luck with your pup.

Mr. Robert you know you seeked profestional help wif that swammin prollum yo hound had ,,,,,,sooooooo yous could get that $500 refund

CC
Right, Did you get my message concerning the Copiah Creek First Annual Dog Challange ? Will not be able to make it, will be out of Town. However, I appreciate the Invitation to do a little dog training in the Crystal Springs Area. You just let me know when you are having a training session and I will be sure and be there. I work the mut every morning and every afternoon at the house. I have a 4 Wheeler and Trailer and will travel, I can throw a Duck, Shoot a Duck and even run a trotline. Duck Hunter can survive.

dont take advice from gh22

I asked the same question not long ago. Mine has not grown out of it yet but it's still funny.

I was kind of concerned right at first, but she was actually able to manuever, just not the most graceful thing you ever saw. It was one of the most beautiful things I ever saw, tho, cause this is my first attempt at any kind of retriever training and to see my pup with that much enthusiasm made me swell with pride. We even shot off a couple rounds with the .410 while the bumper was in flight and she barely even paid attention to it. So yesterday was a big day for us finding out she would retrieve in water and she was not gunshy. I have shot around her a little before, so I kinda knew she would be o.k. cause it never seemed to bother her before.

Throw a larger heavier dummy for her to retrieve in water. That will help get her head down so that her front legs will start being used for swimming.

Best Regards,
Robert Milner
http://www.duckhillkennels.com

Rmilner wrote:Throw a larger heavier dummy for her to retrieve in water. That will help get her head down so that her front legs will start being used for swimming.

Best Regards,
Robert Milner
http://www.duckhillkennels.com

Will try that, thanks. Also, should I get one of those neoprene vests for added flotation, or will that just make her dependant to one.

The vest might help also. I have never tried it, but certainly would if I had a problem swimmer. I would not worry about dependency. When they start swimming correctly it is kind of like a switch turning on. I have never seen one regress significantly after the switch is on.

Best Regards,
Robert Milner
http://www.duckhillkennels.com

Mr. Robert i got your message about the Charity Hunt Test ,,,,,,,,,,sounds like this dog swimming problem needs some of your DHDT