Lab/Rot mix

Question
QUESTION: Hi!  My girlfriend has a 1yr. old male Lab/Rot mix whose name is Kosmo.  He is fixed.  During the last 2 weeks we have exposed Kosmo to various bodies of water (pond, shallow creek, and a good sized lake).  He is absolutely terrified of the water, to the point of not crossing a section of creek with only a 2 inch depth!  I have never seen a dog with this much Lab in the mix so afraid of water.  There have been no negative encounters with water that we know of; she has had him since he was 6 weeks old.  So much of our summer activity is outdoors around water and we would love to include him.  Is there anything you can suggest to help him get over this fear?  Thanks for any advice you can give!   

Mike Acopine

ANSWER: Have you taken him out with other dogs that love to swim or have you gotten in the water without him and called to him?  He is still young and I know many dogs that are afraid of water young in life who learn to love it.  Get him a floatation vest, get in the water with him and, hopefully, another dog or two, bring in toys and sticks and let him watch everyone play.  He will get slightly braver each time and soon stop looking at water as a bottomless pit with the reflection of another dog in it. He will gradually learn that he can swim and that you are there to support him in his efforts.  I have had dogs terrified of water until they were four years old that suddenly found it to be the best thing ever!  So don't give up.  Keep me posted and leave feedback if you have time. Thanks. Regards, Susan

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Susan!  Thanks so much for your time helping me with this!  We have all gotten in the water with toys and tried to get him to come in with us, but to no avail.  I am wondering if we should try (he's a huge dog!) to gently force him in the water with us.  It doesn't seem right to me, but I also remember how I learned to swim...the ol' "sink or swim" method.  I dreaded it at the time, but I quickly realized how great swimming was.  Would it be the same for the dog?

Answer
Hi Mike, No, I don't think that is a good solution, it may just make him more fearful of water and worse, fearful of you. Get a cheap kiddie pool from Walmart and put his toys in it.  See if he will retrieve them out of the pool and eventually paw at the water. Play with him in a sprinkler, get him drinking out of the water hose. Make baths enjoyable... I would even toss his favorite treats in the water after he has had a good smell of them. Do you know some friends that have dogs that enjoy water? You could take him out with them and see how he does.  Don't give up, he is young and maybe the Rottie in him is making him water shy.  Keep up the good work and keep on trying.  Remember, he  is still young and will build confidence as he gets older.  Regards, Susan