Training Labrador Retrievers - Swimming

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Swimming Frequently Asked Questions...

Shouldn't my lab just know how to swim?

Labs, by instinct, love the water. Some take longer than others. Dogs brought up around water may learn sooner than a dog who is taken to the lake 3 or 4 times a year. Be patient. Go in, your lab will come with you! Introduce your pup with other dogs who swim. They will learn by watching.

Should I just drop my pup in the water and get it over with - let him figure it out?

No. This can traumatize your pup. He may never want to go near the water again. Take it slow. Once he figures out how much FUN it is, he will go on his own.

How old should my pup be before I introduce her to the water?

Please be sure that your pup has all of their important vaccines before exposing them to the water. 3-4 months is an ideal age. Be careful not to tire the pup out. Start at 5-10 minutes.

What is cold tail?

Cold tail is a spasm of the tail muscles if your dog has been in the water for too long, if they are not used to swimming. In can also occur if your dog is swimming in colder water. The result is a limp tail that doesn't wag or move for 2-3 days. It is uncomfortable for your lab so try to really space out their swimming time if they are not used to it. Maybe 10-15 minutes and then increase by 10-15 min each day until you reach 45 min - hour.