Question about my black lab, please help?

Question

We recently adopted a black lab/doberman mix. We think she is mostly lab. My question is, why is she so afraid of water? I thought Labs LOVED the water? She is a very loving happy 2 year old. But when the sprinklers are on, or it rains, she cowers by the front door! Even when we try and bathe her, she panics!

I need advice please...real advice...not smart aleck answers please. I dont know much about dogs, but I am sure there are some great dog lovers and experts online here who can give me some suggestions. Thanks a bunch!

Answer 1

Not all Labs love water. The trait can be diminished because of breeding primarily for physical appearance rather than work ability (which most purebreeds now are). Or, perhaps she began liking water and had a traumatic experience.

To get her over her fear, you will need to desensitize her. Start with the bath, as it is what you probably have most control over. Does she panic just going into the bathroom (or wherever you bathe her)? If so, begin by sitting in the bathroom door and giving her three or four yummy treats. Do this as often as you want in one day (don't do it for ten minutes at a time - it will overwhelm her). Do for several days until she wants to be by the bathroom. Next, give her treats for walking a step or two into the bathroom. When she is cool with that, treat for walking three or four steps in, etc.

When she is comfortable being in the bathing area, it's time to add water. Keep it on a very low stream. Because you have added this component, you will need to make things easier for her, so start further away from the tub and give treats. Repeat the whole procedure above with the water on very low. Gradually move her closer, then gradually increase the water pressure.

When it is time to get her wet, start by using your hands and putting water on her (don't splash her) and giving really great treats (steak, tuna, hot dog) for a few seconds. Again, slowly increase the length of time you are getting her wet, then introduce any equipment you might use (hose, for instance).

I know, this sounds really drawn out. It is time consuming, but it is also highly effective. When you are doing this, the goal is for her to never be afraid of a bath again, so you have to go slowly.

If a time comes when she must be bathed before she is comfortable with it, consider giving her Rescue Remedy or using Dog Appeasing Pheromone to make her less anxious.

Even dogs who love baths don't generally like to be rained on (I don't mind taking a shower but don't want to get caught in the rain, either). I wouldn't worry too much about it, but you can give her treats when the sprinkler is on or when it's raining to help her calm down.

Answer 2

If you are near the sea or a loch let your dog play with a ball on the shore. Gradually put it further into the water and she will follow it to get it back. Before you know she will be swimming the doggie paddle. Just don't let her swallow to much sea water or she will spend all day eating grass to sick it up. Use a small ball like a tennis ball.
Our dog Meg, a Border Collie , learned that way on the Island of Bute at Kilchattan Bay in Scotland.

Have a look at her paws if she has inherited anything from the Lab side they should be webbed a sure sign of a water dog

Answer 3

I really don't have an answer to your question. I have a 9 year old black lab and has been afraid of water since I've had him (adopted him at 3 months). He even walks around puddles after it rains so he doesn't get his paws wet. Doesn't mind being in the rain as long as its not raining real hard. I hope someone does answer this so I can get the same answer. Good luck!

Answer 4

As a lab owner for many years and an owner of a lab mix that has the same experience I have adjusted to the problem . Because your dog is mixed a gene from the mix side is dominant that doesn't like water . If you love this dog be happy as is.

Answer 5

You say you rescued her, so she may have had a bad experience with water. The best thing to do is take baby steps and show her that playing in the water is lots of fun. Don't just throw her in head first, try getting one of those plastic kiddie pools and start with just enough water in it to cover the bottom. Have her walk through it so she gets used to the sensation of wet feel. Once she's comfortable with that add a little more water until she is ok with that then add more and so on. If you have a swimming pool, when she sees you in the water that could help because she'll see that you enjoy it and that could help with her fear. Of course, she may never like the water. Just because she's part lab doesn't mean she'll take to water like a duck. Each dog has it's own personality so it ultimately comes down to them.

Answer 6

Don't worry. If she is a good dog in other ways, that is just a personality quirk. Mine LOVES the snow and will NOT go out in the rain. She looks at me like, "You did this just to spite me!" Seriously. She will put one 'dainty - for a lab, yeah, right!' paw outside and then limp on it so she doesn't feel the dampness. Dogs have as many quirks as people do. Don't worry. She has a dislike for water. It may change, but I doubt it. By the way, I don't know any labs who like baths! Enjoy your dog with all her quirks.

Answer 7

Maybe the people that had her before you treated her badly when she was a puppy. I have a Black lab and she loves the water. She's very spoiled, but when you raise your hand, she cowers. Or when I grab the fly swatter, she runs away. I've never laid a hand on her on her, hit her, kicked her or anything like that. I bought her when she was 8 mths. old. I would have to think that the people at the kennel weren't too kind in those first 8 months of her life.

Answer 8

She might have had a bad experience with water in her past. My Lab loves water from any source but my pit bull is terrified of water coming from a hose or the bath tub but not a pond or stream. The pit loves to play in the lake especially if he has a friend along. May try taking your dog to lake or stream with another dog. Make it play time and let it be her choice. My Lab would not care if I threw him in a pond but the pit likes to go at it at his own rate.

Answer 9

Could be your pup may have had a few bad experiences with water. I have 2 springers one loves to swim and lay in water one hates it. The one who hates it fell in the river a few times ..well he jumped in and couldnt get out so he got scared. Hes not too fond of bathtime either I just pick him up set him in the tub talking calmly the whole time. Hes fine once the bath is over. Try talking to your pup during the rain try getting him outside with you during light rains no thunder storms. Buy a baby pool and work slowly... you may have to actually get into the baby pool with him at first. If he likes to fetch ...try tossing the ball in the baby pool. Good Luck

Answer 10

My labX was afraid of water for the first 6 yrs of her life. She finally found out how much fun swimming in the lakes and rivers could be when we took her to a park on the lake and she was watching all the other dogs run into the water and swim out to retrieve their toys. Finally she followed them and joined in with the swimming and fetching. Now we can't keep her out of the water (every time she sees a stream, river, lake, she hops right in). She's still not a big fan of taking baths and going out in the rain though. ;o)