WATER RESCUE 101 - NEWFOUNDLAND PUPPY TRAINING

[@larryweinberg1191]

Letting the Newfie be a Newfie is good thing. You explain well. Unbeknownst to me , took in newfie shepard mix runt of litter without knowing of the fierce child protector, overall guardian, water savvy and life saver instinct, vigilance he had. Dog probably taught me more than I taught him.

[@RealDogs]

Wow - sounds like a heck of a dog you have lucked into. Training should be fun - figure out the natural drive and instincts of the heritage and have fun training to those.

[@larryweinberg1191]

@@RealDogs he had a good run. 1986-2002. My kids were lucky to grow up with him. You being in Australia I imagine teaching dog to not enter potential crocodile occupied rivers is a challenge.

[@RealDogs]

@@larryweinberg1191 Heh, heh - fortunately no crocodiles in New South Wales where I live - but yes, in parts of northern Queensland and the Northern Territory one would want to be very cautious around waterways!

[@MaximillianandRubyGrace]

I have an almost three year old male who loves to swim and will retrieve a bumper and drop on sand and I never taught him. My female who is 17 months only goes into the water where she can stand. I def want them doing Newfie work and I would love to be able to train them to rescue.

[@RealDogs]

Hey - great - with the 17-month girl, just get in the quiet water (no wave noise, if possible, even try a swimming pool) with the boy and splash around and have fun - see if your girl is more tempted to join you - don't force just encourage (even try food reward). Look at www.sweetbay.com/bookwater.htm - I highly recommend Judi Adler's books (3 volumes) - that's how I started. The instinct is there (as you found with your lad) you just need to coax it along.

[@MaximillianandRubyGrace]

Took them this morning, I wear a wet suit and get in, she sat on shore.. I’m going to get those books and keep trying!

[@RealDogs]

@@MaximillianandRubyGrace Obviously going to take a lot of patience - try sitting at water's edge with her and give her treats, telling her what a good dog she is - gradually move into the water over many, many, many, tries at this. No guaranteed magic wand for this one.

[@MaximillianandRubyGrace]

@@RealDogs thank you!! I will be working on it

[@soulandtranquility]

I'd like to get my pup involved in water rescue.

[@RealDogs]

Great! Glad to hear that! Whatever age your pup is (I am assuming a Newfie or other water loving breed?) encourage water play as often as possible - never force into the water - just gentle coaxing. Start with fetch a floating object, then swimming back to shore with you in the water (swim or walk depending on dog and water depth). Start with calm water before waves. If you have a Newfie I highly recommend you get hold of Judi Adler's three book series on Newfie training (Sweetbay Newfoundlands - USA based) - best books EVER specifically written for Newfies (not one of those general books in which they just change the breed type!) - worth every penny of the cost and postage, I think. One volume is "Water Work, Water Play" I bought the set of Ed 4 - I see she is now up to Ed 5 on at least one of the three volumes. Contact Judi and tell her I referred you - never met her but she always responds to my emails.

[@MaximillianandRubyGrace]

Me too!

[@eugenio6686]

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