Folklore? I think not, not anymore at least. The only time that I have ever heard a Newfoundland afraid of water is in a MYTHological book! My Newfoundland puppy HATES water. Not just baths, but the pond too! I could have sworn that ALL Newfoundlands LOVE water, can someone explain this to me? Please, if it IS true... How can I get him to like water?
2007-07-13 04:18:52 · 7 answers · asked by jnmwizkid1 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Not all labs like water either.
Its unfortunate that the qualities we so admire in breeds are being lost in the over breeding.
2007-07-13 04:22:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a simple socialization problem, no different than some dogs being afraid of stairs and others being afraid of loud noises.
In an ideal world the introduction to these things would be done by the breeder before the puppy had the capacity to remember being scared the first time it was encountered. That having not been the case it is wise to hold off on those introductions until the puppy develops the cognitive skills to properly deal with it's fears. (about 6-7 months)
2007-07-13 11:38:30 · answer #2 · answered by tom l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
omg mine does too! I know it's freaky. At the breeder's house where we take him when we go on vacation she has a little pool in her backyard. He will only swim there because she has other Newfoundlands. Take him to a place with many Newfoundlands and he will understand that the water is safe. You can also get a little teeny kitty pool and he may go in there.
2007-07-14 14:46:03 · answer #3 · answered by ♡Mary♡ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a black lab that hated water when he was a puppy. Finally when he was about a year old, I found a pond with a real gradually sloping shoreline and waded out with some treats.
Little by little, over a few days, he would come further out into the water to get the treats. Eventually it got over his head and he was forced to swim.
Of course, once he started swimming, it was almost impossible to get him out of the water.
2007-07-13 21:44:20 · answer #4 · answered by STEVE C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Love of water is a breed tendency for Newfoundlands but that doesn't mean that all do. Each Newfie is an individual just a each person is.
2007-07-13 11:29:07 · answer #5 · answered by keezy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Who knows why he doesn't like water.. without knowing his background, the quality of his breeding, his living situation and the circumstances under which he is put into the water, we can't help much there. If your dog seems afraid of water, well, then it's true that Newfies can not like water! He's certainly not just acting to mess with your head! ;-)
But, to get your dog to like the water, first of all, don't just force him into it (some people advocate teaching a dog to swim by just dumping them in the deep end... not good for a dog afraid of water!) Does he like to play fetch? If so, try throwing the toy near the water, then just on the edge, then in the shallows so he can get it by just getting his feet wet, and slowly work up to throwing it in so he has to swim to get it. If he won't go after it, you went too fast, so go back one step. Make sure he gets a lot of praise and a good reward when he brings it back.
If he doesn't like to play fetch, get him solidly trained on the come command, then you go into the water first, call him, and make sure he gets a huge reward and praise when he comes to you and gets in the water. Again, start at the edge of the pond and slowly work up to getting in all the way.
With either method, you need to be REALLY animated and positive. The first time he gets his feet wet without freaking out, you should act like it's the most awesome thing he did all day, like you won the lottery or something. Pet him and praise him and play with him for literally five minutes. (Ever tried that? five minutes is a long time!) Then fetch or call again and see if he'll go a little deeper.
For baths, first try making it more comfortable for him by putting a non-skid mat in the bathtub, and always wash his head last (a lot of dogs don't mind water but hate getting their face wet.) You can also work up to a bath by giving him treats for going in the bathroom, then for going in the bathroom and getting in the tub, then for going in the bathroom, getting in the tub and turning the water on, etc.
2007-07-13 12:30:59 · answer #6 · answered by Firekeeper 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK, it is a puppy, and how old is he???? What was his first experience like??? Did someone get sick of waiting for him to like water and just chuck him in the water????
Need more info if you are gonna get any help.
2007-07-13 11:29:13 · answer #7 · answered by yetitrainsdogs 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋