SPORTING ANSWERS
Labrador won’t take plunge
GUNDOG TRAINING
Q I have a two-year-old labrador bitch that is shy of going into water. What do you suggest I do to help her overcome this fear?
A It’s unusual for a labrador to be reluctant to go into water, though it is not unheard of. Unless it is an inherent dislike of water, something must have triggered this situation.
I am still surprised at the ways many people introduce shooting dogs to water. Most puppies will splash about in water but not many will want to swim properly from the word go.
In fact, puppies that are allowed to splash and paddle soon make a hasty retreat to dry land when they feel they are out of their depth. And yet so many people throw items into water for youngsters to retrieve, assuming that they will automatically become adept at swimming. The sink or swim approach is not recommended.
Other people allow a youngster to follow an older dog into
