When to introduce puppy to water?

[SFAbowhunter]

My wife and I picked up our puppy back in December and I have been training him myself, but i haven't introduced him to water yet. The things that I have read have said not to introduce him to cold water in case he associates water with being cold. So my question is when can I introduce him to it? I want to do it as soon as I can. He's doing very well in his training thus far and I don't want to mess that up. He's now almost 18 weeks old.

[stevieray54]

I have a 13 week old Lab puppy and i find very shallow water like 3 - 4 inches and just let him walk along, he loves playing in it, on the other hand i took him to a pond he was not interested in anything over his paws. If he wants to swim on his own let him go i say

[Laner7]

I have always just given my dogs water as soon as I get them usually at 5 to 6 weeks old and they have all lived 13 + years.

[jaker_cc]

I take mine out to a shallow pond as soon as I get them and let them go at their own pace.

[pblaetz]

I have always just given my dogs water as soon as I get them usually at 5 to 6 weeks old and they have all lived 13 + years.

I'd get him out there now. Don't force him though........I did that with one of our current dogs and he will not go in it now.

[Texas Grown]

Give it a bath in the tub with shallow warm water on a regular basis. 3" to start so pup knows there is a bottom. Always make it fun with favorite toys and occasional treat. Dry pup well after bath so it thinks it's getting lots of attention. This will help prepare pup for outdoor water that is cooler. And make it smell good to in the mean time . Some pups are water shy till they build confidence up. A sudden cold blast of cold water can make them that way. Then you have a bit more work to do if that happens. When outdoor water warms up a bit, get in the shallow water and coax pup to come join you and play.You can gradually get deeper as pup gets more experience. Again, always make it fun for pup. Once you get the fire lit, it will be hard to keep pup out of the water, even when it's really cold out .

[lab man]

I will introduce them at a couple months old if the weather is right. I wait for nice warm day.

[gdawg]

Have self trained a number of dogs. I get them around water as early as possible - 4/5weeks - and just hang out around the shore. Some will be hell bent on getting in right away - which generally encourages others to take the plunge. Some not ready that early and you have to go at their pace. I would definitely get a pup born in Dec introduced asap. If the pup is real attacked to you, it sometimes help if you do some wading and he/she follow - good luck

Btw- mine are Boykin spaniels who love the water so may be earlier than some other breeds

[gdawg]

Second on the warm day - you want it to be a good experience for the pup

[treestand]

All good thoughts above. Very important to find a spot where the pup can start out just playing in shallow water. Once that feels safe for him, maybe bring along another dog that will show him the water is fun.

[Laner7]

I'd get him out there now. Don't force him though........I did that with one of our current dogs and he will not go in it now.

Haha I read it wrong.

[kingchip]

Without forcing, my Boykin sucked at swimming when I got him at 8 months. He's a rescue dog. Waited until daughter brought her dogs to the house. They both love the pool so let him go at his own pace with him. Swims well now.

[brown dogs]

Air and water temp are very important. A place that has a firm bottom with a gradual slope is helpful. Ditto gdawg on age, younger, the better. But let pup go in on his on. Don't force um. It needs to be a pleasant experience for pup.

Thing that seems to work extremely well for me is around 5 weeks take mama dog and pups to waters edge and let pups all get on a nipple. Wean is well under way, but pups still want the nipple. Then lead/heel mama into the water. Every time the pups follow without hesitation. It is just like the "Piped Piper".

[J-DAWG]

You'll know when they are ready lol. This is my dog when she was about 9 weeks old I think.

[Buckrider]

Immediately just don't force them into the water. Try tossing a stick a couple of feet out and let it happen if it's going to... All of mine were naturals anyway so it came quickly...