how do i get my lab to like water

Why does my Labrador not like water?

There are many reasons why dogs may be fearful of water. It could simply be that it's a new experience for them or that the water feels different under their paws or on their fur. Your pet may have also had a traumatic experience with water. Or, maybe they were forced to get wet when they weren't ready.

How do I train my dog to like water?

Use a small children's pool to introduce your dog to the water. While on leash toss a special toy into the water. If she is still reluctant you can take a high-value treat and lure her in, placing the treat by her nose and praising and rewarding for any attempt to step into the water.

How do I get my dog to not be afraid of water?

The unknown can be scary, but there are simple ways you can slowly introduce your dog to water to make it less frightening:Play fetch with the sprinklers on.Let him explore puddles on walks.Don't hold the umbrella over him when it rains.Pet him with a wet washcloth.Take him on walks around a lake or by the ocean.More items...•

Are Labs supposed to like water?

Labrador Retrievers love water so much, they're practically fish! We've got a bunch of fun facts about this loveable, water-treading breed for you to dive into, as well as some great, active games for you and your pal to play!

What dog breed loves water the most?

Without further ado, here are the top 19 dog breeds that love water:American Water Spaniel. This rare dog breed was bred in Wisconsin, and combines the traits of a Spaniel and Retriever. ... Barbet. ... Boykin Spaniel. ... Chesapeake Bay Retriever. ... Curly-coated Retriever. ... English Setter. ... Flat-coated Retriever. ... German Shepherd.More items...•

What dogs are afraid of water?

Like Pugs, French Bulldogs are brachycephalic, or short-snouted, so they are typically not big fans of swimming. “French Bulldogs just don't seem really comfortable when they're in the water,” says Dr.

Why does my dog freak out when I swim?

Your dog can see that water can be a scary thing and if you are jumping into it, he may be worried about you. His bark is a form of communication to warn you and to get you to stop. Once you are in the water, your dog may stop barking and realize you are safe and know how to swim.

Why is my dog scared of drinking water?

Water bowl avoidance is sometimes the result of pain in the neck or back. When a dog dips its head to drink, it hurts. If your dog is eating fine from a similar food bowl, then that probably is not the issue. Eye problems also are a common cause of water bowl fear.

How can I calm my dog down in the bath?

Bribes for BathsBefore the bath, play the “Jump in the Tub” game. Toss treats into the tub, and when your dog jumps in to retrieve it, praise them. ... Spread peanut butter on the side of your tub. ... Make bath time playtime by placing your dog's favorite water-friendly toy in the tub.

Can Labrador swim without training?

Can Labradors swim naturally or do they need to be taught? Not all Labs can swim, and some don't even like being in water. But, if your Lab has positive experiences with water from a young age, they will likely love splashing about and swimming.

What do Labradors love the most?

3 Things Your Lab Loves More Than Anything#1 – Eating. While almost all dogs like food (it's why positive reinforcement training works well), Labradors are definitely foodies. ... #2 – Swimming. Labrador Retrievers were bred for retrieving fowl. ... #3 – Social Outings.

Can a Labrador swim naturally?

Yes, Labradors are natural swimmers who enjoy taking a dip in lakes, streams, and even pools. They are genetically designed to adapt well to the water. They have webbed toes to propel them and short but insulating fur to keep them warm, without weighing them down.

Why does my dog freak out when I swim?

Your dog can see that water can be a scary thing and if you are jumping into it, he may be worried about you. His bark is a form of communication to warn you and to get you to stop. Once you are in the water, your dog may stop barking and realize you are safe and know how to swim.

Can dogs swim without training?

Although it's a myth that all dogs are natural swimmers, with a life vest and some dog swimming lessons from you, every breed should be able to get around in the water.

How can I get my dog to swim?

How to teach your dog how to swimLead your dog gently into the water. ... Once they seem at ease, lead them deeper into the water. ... Your dog's first instinct will be to paddle with only their front legs. ... Make sure your dog is all the way in the water and that you are holding them around the belly.More items...

Which dog breeds can swim?

Top 10 Swimming Dog BreedsStandard Poodle. This dog actually derives its name from the German word pudeln, which means “to splash.” Hopefully your Standard Poodle won't splash you in the eyes. ... Newfoundland. ... Chesapeake Bay Retriever. ... English Setter. ... Irish Water Spaniel. ... Irish Setter. ... Portuguese Water Dog. ... Labrador Retriever.More items...•

Why do Labs like water so much?

Before we answer the question of why your Lab doesn’t like water, let’s step back a bit and try to get a grasp on why Labs generally like water. The answer to why they have a natural propensity and inclination to water lies in their breeding and history.

So, what does all that have to do with Labs and why they like water?

As a fishing dog, the ancestors of the Labrador had some characteristics that made the job easier. As such, Labs inherited and carried some of these characteristics throughout many centuries of breeding.

What to do if a Lab does not like water

The first thing that you can do is try to understand what your dog needs and where they are coming from with their fear and apprehension.

How Do I Help My Lab Love the Water?

You can help your Labrador love the water by creating a positive experience around water and making it fun for them.

Can Labrador Puppies Swim?

Labrador puppies can be introduced to the water at a few months old, within a few weeks after you get them into your home, but they may not respond with confidence at first.

Do You Have to Teach a Lab to Swim?

While Labradors generally develop a strong love for the water, they aren’t necessarily born knowing exactly how to swim already.

Do Labradors Like to Swim?

Yes, most Labrador Retrievers absolutely love the water and are usually happy to jump in whenever they get the opportunity to go for a swim.

How to get a Labrador to swim?

Different ways to encourage a labrador to swim 1 Copying another dog 2 Getting in the water yourself 3 Retrieving

Why doesn't my Labrador like water?

The main reason that a Labrador doesn’t like water is usually because he wasn’t introduced to it in the best and most appropriate way.

Does your dog swim?

How did you get him swimming, or was he a water baby from the start? Share your experience in the comments box below!

How to get a Labrador to go through a puddle?

Instead, teach your Labrador to cross a tiny and insignificant puddle to get at the retrieve on dry land on the far side. You can put obstacles either side of the puddle or even create an artificial one, so that he has no option but to go through it.

How to get a dog to swim in shallow water?

start with retrieves across shallow water and build up to deep water in stages . He won’t panic, and will be able to paddle around preserving his energy until he finds a way out, or someone comes to his rescue. So if you spend a lot of time around water, it is a good idea to get your dog some swimming practice.

Why do dogs swim with people?

Sometimes a dog will swim alongside a person because he is afraid to leave them. Rather than because he is enjoying the swim.

Can a Labrador swim in cold water?

Whilst an adult labrador is perfectly happy to swim in cold water, a pup or youngster may be put off if his first experience is a freezing one. Start getting puppies comfortable around water when they are small provided that the weather is warm. Let them splash around with an older dog if they enjoy it.

How did Labradors come to love water?

How did these dogs come to love the water? Labradors have been bred to love the water. A Lab’s favorite activity (retrieving) is even more fun at beaches and in rivers. Labradors have a double coat that repels water and insulates them from the cold. Labs have big, webbed feet and an otter tail that make them exceptional swimmers. Loving the water is in the Labrador genes. Enjoying the water is has been programmed into them.

Why do Labradors jump in the water?

Not only did the early Labs jump in the water to retrieve fish that had fallen out of the net, but they also helped pull the nets up onto the boats. Labradors have always been a versatile breed. The fact that they are eager to please and very intelligent makes them one of the easiest dogs to train for any number of abilities.

Why is the double coat of a Labrador so distinctive?

I say that it is the most distinctive because the one thing that everyone knows about Labs is how much they shed. What we may not realize is that their coat is also one of the reasons why Labradors are such excellent swimmers.

What makes a Labrador a good swimmer?

What Makes Labradors Great Swimmers. DNA is not the only thing that makes these dogs great swimmers. There are physical features that enhance the Labrador’s natural inclination to love the water. It is always easy to love things wherein you excel. My two Labs, Odin and Lady, swimming together at one of our favorite camp spots.

Why is my Labrador hesitant to drink water?

There are some things that can steal natural love for water from any Labrador. A bad experience (or no experience at all) can make any Labrador a little hesitant. There are several factors that could make your Labrador hesitant around water. Take your time and let him get used to it at his own speed.

When do Labrador puppies start to swim?

While I typically don’t start Labradors this young, I know of trainers that have their puppies at the water as early as 9 or 10 weeks old. The sessions are obviously short, but you can’t argue with the results. Their dogs love the water.

Why is it important for a Labrador to love swimming?

One reason that I think it is important for your Lab to love water and love swimming is that it is such an excellent way for them to get a great workout.

What to do if your dog looks at the water?

If your dog looks at the water, click and give her a treat.

How to get a dog to stop jumping on water?

Start by putting your dog on leash and taking her near the water. The leash should be long enough that she can easily move closer or further from the water. I like long lines, because they’re much safer than retractable leashes!

Why is my dog scared of water?

This makes evolutionary sense because mother dogs keep their puppies safe for their early lives. Chances are if a mother dog kept her puppies away from something until this age, it’s dangerous!

How shallow should water be for dogs?

Ideally, the water should start out very shallow so that your dog gets her toes wet, then her ankles, and so on. I like inland lakes or ponds for this reason.

Do you have to introduce a new puppy to water?

It doesn’t matter if you’ve got a brand-new puppy or an older dog, you’ll introduce your dog to the water the same way.

Can dogs go in water?

Now that we’ve got some ground rules in place, let’s move on to actually introducing your dog to the water. Luckily, this step is the same for puppies and adult dogs!

Do Labrador retrievers like water?

Not all dogs love water. In fact, not even all Labrador retrievers, a breed known for their swimming abilities, love water (although they are certainly the anomalies)! It’s important not to force your dog to swim. Many owners also would like their dogs to enjoy water, allow baths, or at least not be afraid of the beach!

Why doesn't my Labrador love water?

The most common reason why a Lab might not love the water is simply because it is something different and new. Today’s Labrador Retrievers have been the most popular pet dog in America for the last 26 years straight. But many modern Labs have never worked a day in their lives at anything more than fetching a Frisbee or begging for table scraps.

Why do Labradors fear water?

For some Labradors, that bad experience may involve the water. Perhaps your rescued Lab was part of a gundog training that used harsh training methods and negative reinforcement that caused her to feel fearful of the water. Or maybe your Lab was caught in a flood as a puppy and learned to fear the water because of it.

Why did the English nobility breed the Labrador?

Rather, English nobility began developing the new Labrador breed specifically to work as a hunting (gun) dog. Labradors were prized canine companions among the aristocracy, chiefly for their ability to track and retrieve downed waterfowl and other small prey.

Is an American Labrador a natural athlete?

The American Labrador is considered more of a natural athlete, which makes sense because that is what this type of Lab is typically bred to do. These dogs tend to be slimmer in physique, lighter in weight and very keen to live an outdoorsy life.

Is a Labrador a show ring dog?

The Labrador as a show ring dog is a relatively new phenomenon when you look at the greater history of this dog breed. The earliest Labs were working dogs through and through. As the modern Labrador broke away from its St. John’s water dog roots, these dogs weren’t so much involved with fishing. Rather, English nobility began developing ...

Do All Labs Love the Water?

If you are reading this article titled “why do Labs love water” feeling like you own the only Labrador in the world who does not like water, rest assured you are not alone. Not all Labs love the water. There are a few possible reasons why your Lab isn’t keen on swimming or even getting within paw’s distance of a body of water larger than your bathtub.