Britt pup not getting in the water

[johng]

Howdy fellow gun dog owners!

So, I have an eight month old Brittany and he is a pretty good little dog.  Somewhat short of stature but I think he has got good instincts.  The breeder/trainer and I have worked with him on live pheasants, starter pistol, steadying him, check cord, etc.  We went grouse hunting last weekend and he did well.

However, Opie doesn't like water so far.  I was hoping for some advice to get him used to it.  I don't expect him to jump into frigid eastern, WA water in the dead of winter but it would be sweet if he would jump in after a duck when we were doing an upland/jumpshooting trip and retrieve ducks when we were hunting small ponds on the west side.  Not to mention the hunting tribe I belong to have found that pheasants like to hide out in the cat tails which means water.

So far we have tried putting a killed pheasant into a creek, I just tried the kiddie pool in the backyard and have tried everything but throwing him in (which I heard isn't a good idea).  So what then would you guys do?  Just keep trying?  Any secrets?

Thanks so much and good luck to all of you this season!!!!  WooHoo!

-Jg

[Goldeneye]

Do not force your pup in the water.  I had a lab once that was a year and a half old before she'd swim.  You got to let them want to get in.  Take your time working with him on it.  Maybe actually get in the water too and try to get him in to follow you in and play.  Maybe if he has another dog to watch work in the water.  You need to make it fun for him.  If you force him too much he may develop a phobia to water which is the opposite direction you want to go.

[Kola16]

Do not force your pup in the water.  I had a lab once that was a year and a half old before she'd swim.  You got to let them want to get in.  Take your time working with him on it.  Maybe actually get in the water too and try to get him in to follow you in and play.  Maybe if he has another dog to watch work in the water.  You need to make it fun for him.  If you force him too much he may develop a phobia to water which is the opposite direction you want to go.

  Everything you said is great  I was babysitting a brittany who would never get in the water. Same with the yellow and chocolate in my avatar. When they saw Kola (my dog, the black) go in the other dogs went in. YOU getting in would help also 

[huntingfool7]

Take him someplace with a gradual bank so he can ease into it. 
Put some waders on and get in there. 
Try to make it fun and talk to him in an excited voice
Use a bumper or a ball that he likes.
And if you can, go someplace with warmer water.

[johng]

Thanks guys!  All those points are good ones.  Last night I did get into the kiddie pool and tried to coax Opie to get in the pool but no go.  I have hope though- he is still a pup and I think it will just take the right conditions and he will get on in there.

Appreciate it,
Jg

[johng]

He did it!!!   

We took your guys' suggestions to heart and headed out to a beach near Lake WA a couple weeks ago when it was super hot.  It had a gradual slope into the water and we took his favorite training bird (grouse actually) and he was in! 

Just started playing with the grouse and before I knew it I could toss it about 10 feet into the water and he would swim, go get it and swim back.  It was pretty cute to see as he isn't the biggest of dogs.  Hopefully this will translate into the field in case we shoot some ducks over ponds or creeks.

Thanks again for the help and the season can't come soon enough if you ask Opie and I.

Cheers,

jg

[REHJWA]

Congratulations! Caution though once they find out how much fun the water is the muddy the floors get...

[Lunchbox1981]

  I can't keep my pup out of water, mud puddles or anything wet for that matter.

[huntingfool7]

He did it!!!   

We took your guys' suggestions to heart and headed out to a beach near Lake WA a couple weeks ago when it was super hot.  It had a gradual slope into the water and we took his favorite training bird (grouse actually) and he was in! 

Just started playing with the grouse and before I knew it I could toss it about 10 feet into the water and he would swim, go get it and swim back.  It was pretty cute to see as he isn't the biggest of dogs.  Hopefully this will translate into the field in case we shoot some ducks over ponds or creeks.

Thanks again for the help and the season can't come soon enough if you ask Opie and I.

Cheers,

jg

       for you and pup!  Nice update! 

[jackson7]

Glad it worked out.
Started my shorthair by getting in water myself in the shallows. After a bit I swam across a small inlet [15 yards].yes she whined a bit but soon figured out that to join me she needed to cross. took about 5 minutes. never an issue since.. She was about 12weeks old at the time.
PS make sure there is no current.

[johng]

The patience paid off!  Here is the little guys first water retrieve.  He loves the water now. 

Thanks again for everyone's help- love this site.

Cheers,

Jg

[Happy Gilmore]

wait until next summer when water gets up to 60degrees. Keep pushing him because he got in a few times young and when water is cold and you can sour him for life. Mission accomplished for now. Brits aren't made to be water dogs.

[jetjockey]

Actually, they are bred to be one of the "versatile" or "continental" breeds.  They were originally bred to do it all, including retrieve in water.  There has been many Brits used as water retrievers.  I'd never argue they do it as well as a true retriever, but most Brits will hit the water hard no matter the temperature as long as they are retrieving something.  They were not bred to sit in a blind all day though.  That's when they get antsy and want to go hunting for something.  But they were originally bred to do it all, just like GSP's, GWP's, Grifons, etc, and that's why they have nice webbed feet.

[Happy Gilmore]

Actually, they are bred to be one of the "versatile" or "continental" breeds.  They were originally bred to do it all, including retrieve in water.  There has been many Brits used as water retrievers.  I'd never argue they do it as well as a true retriever, but most Brits will hit the water hard no matter the temperature as long as they are retrieving something.  They were not bred to sit in a blind all day though.  That's when they get antsy and want to go hunting for something.  But they were originally bred to do it all, just like GSP's, GWP's, Grifons, etc, and that's why they have nice webbed feet.

Picking up an occasional live shot bird and going right back on the ground running for more birds you'd be unlikely to develop and issue. Train a dog on water all winter(training) and the outcome isn't going to be favorable in most cases. Just about everyone who trains their own dogs and clients dogs especially error on the side of caution and avoid ANY extended water training when water temps dip down.

[jetjockey]

Don't get me wrong, I agree with that 100%.  I was just saying that Brits do make good water dogs in the right conditions.