I've done 3 pups that all ended up loving or at least tolerating water. All 3 of them I started by taking them on unleashed walks along shallow creeks. I quickly moved to very short tosses (in the creeks, then in ponds) of a favorite toy or item that they wanted. I would toss just far enough to gradually get them going deeper until they started swimming. Then I would toss a little further. The labs took to the swimming quicker than the Boykin but he can hold his own. There were differences between the labs as well. As has been said above, encourage them but let them advance at their own pace.
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I'd wait another month till it warms up just a little more. When it does you walk into the water, let the pup follow. You go a little deeper let the pup follow. Don't let them get out of their comfort zone or freak out and want to hold onto you. Keep it real simple. Let the dog advance at its own pace as described above.Comment
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