Starting a Newfoundland Puppy in Water Work

The Newfoundland Club of America—responsible for the preservation, protection
and welfare of the Newfoundland Dog in America since 1930.

Examples of NCA Junior Water Dog exercises

It’s always exciting when I have the opportunity to introduce a young
Newfoundland to the water for the very first time. It’s a time of great
anticipation, as well as an awesome responsibility, to lay the foundation for
a working partnership that I hope will last a lifetime. I foresee fun-filled
water-test weekends in the puppy’s future, made all the more likely by a
positive first encounter with the water.

Thus, as a puppy and I begin our aquatic adventure together, my thoughts focus
on having fun and developing confidence, which is where the buckle collar and
a six-foot nylon lead come in. I believe it is important to train on lead to
provide gentle guidance and strengthen the bond of teamwork all along the way.

Because swimming does not stress growing bones and joints as land activities
can, water training can begin at an early age. An advantage to early training
is that young puppies are often less fearful of the “disappearing lake bottom”
when they take their first swimming strokes than older dogs are.

I was once at the pond for a Newfoundland family’s first swim. The pups
followed their mama like a line of ducklings as she entered the pond, never
hesitating for a second when they could no longer touch the bottom. That is,
undoubtedly, the best way to introduce a puppy to the water, with the help of
its mother, but few of us have that option.

Those of us who live in northern climates only have a short four-month window
for water work, so puppies born in the fall or winter are often eight months
old (or older) before the water is warm enough for us to take the plunge. As a
rule of thumb, it’s best to introduce a Newfie to the water during its “puppy
summer,” however many months old that may be.

Being willing to go in the water with your puppy is very important, and when
you do, remember to wear a life jacket and water shoes for safety.

So, let’s pretend for a moment that summer has arrived, and with it, the long-
awaited day to take your puppy for his first swim.

Come along with puppy and me for our first day of water training, as we
enthusiastically approach the water’s edge, running together on lead, side-by-
side. We pause to take in the smells and sights and sounds of the shoreline as
we inch ever so closer to the water, all the while sharing the joys of the
day.

NCA Senior Water Rescue Dogs at Work

How to Train Your Dog to Swim

I back a short distance into the water, and with the aid of the lead, if
necessary, encourage the puppy to come to me in the water. It’s important to
give lots of praise every step of the way. The goal is to encourage the puppy
into chest-deep water where it is still touching bottom but where it will be
swimming if I take one step forward. Once we reach that depth, we will stay
there and not return to shore for the remainder of this first lesson. I try to
“read” my puppy’s reaction and make sure it is comfortable beside me in the
chest-deep water before proceeding with the big, first “swimming step.”

With the lead in my right hand and my left hand through the puppy’s collar, I
give a gentle nudge as I say “swim,” and, with the puppy in tow beside me, I
walk one step into deeper water. As the puppy’s feet leave the bottom for the
first time, I circle it around me to the right and back toward shore where its
feet touch bottom once again. The puppy will swim only a few strokes, but as
soon as it is swimming and perhaps thinking about panicking, it is touching
bottom once again. The puppy gains confidence as it learns that when the
bottom drops out from under its feet, it comes back again quickly. Be sure to
hold on to the lead and keep puppy in chest-deep water and do not allow him to
return to shore.

Repeat this exercise about six times, with puppy swimming only a few strokes
each time before touching bottom once again, with lots of praise in between.
Then give puppy a break to ponder what he has learned. He has bravely stepped
beyond wading depth and survived. He should be very proud of himself!

Elite NCA Water Rescue Dog Excellent exhibitors

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Build Upon Your Previous Lessons

In subsequent training sessions, review what you did in the previous lesson
and make sure your dog feels comfortable before progressing to the next step.
Some dogs gain confidence more quickly than others. The next step is to
gradually increase the distance you ask your dog to swim before turning back
toward shore and touching bottom. As the dog becomes more comfortable swimming
additional strokes, continue to increase the distance you ask him to swim
until you can no longer touch bottom.

It is important for you to touch bottom so that you can maintain control of
the dog. Each time you say “Swim,” give the dog a gentle nudge forward on his
collar so he starts swimming immediately. From the very beginning of training,
never permit the dog to hesitate at its drop-off point. This hint will prevent
problems later on if you aspire to earn a water title. If you have ever
attended a water test, you have probably seen one or more dogs fail because
they waded into the water, then hesitated at the drop-off point and “messed
around” instead of swimming out to complete the exercise. If you never allow a
dog to hesitate in practice, chances are it won’t hesitate at a test!

How to Teach Newfies to Retrieve in Water

When the dog becomes comfortable swimming short distances, I introduce a short
piece of floating line, knotted to facilitate carrying, to our training. As
soon as the dog has swum out and is turning toward shore, I splash the line in
the water close in front of him. Even dogs that are not avid retrievers on
land will often grab at an enticing line in the water and carry it while
swimming. If they don’t grab it on their own, you can open their mouths and
place it inside, and they will generally continue to hold it as long as they
are swimming. This is a great beginning for the “Take-a-Line” exercise.

Another training variation, which can be introduced at an early stage, is
having the dog swim to a second person. With you and the dog standing at
wading depth, have the second person stand about three feet farther out,
splash gently to attract attention, and call the dog’s name. When the person
begins calling, say “Swim” as you nudge the dog forward toward your assistant.
Guide the dog to make sure he goes directly to the person without hesitation.

As the dog approaches, the assistant will say “Around” and guide the dog
around him and back toward shore. Praise the dog as he returns to wading depth
and repeat the exercise several times. When the dog shows proficiency at a
short distance, you can gradually extend the distance the dog goes out to
another person. Next, you can add the short line for the dog to carry as it
goes to the person, but when you do, be sure to begin at a short distance once
again. I recommend never introducing more than one slight change at a time.

Here’s wishing you and your puppy many hours of enjoyment working together
in the water!

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It
is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription,
or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional.
Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a
veterinarian immediately.

Questions & Answers

Question: At what age should I take my Newfoundland puppy for swimming,
he is just 35 days old?

Answer: Pups can start wading and swimming in shallow water by 7 weeks
old, but you need to be cautious about where you choose to swim. If your only
option for swimming is an area frequented by other dogs or wildlife then you
should wait until the pup is vaccinated before hitting the beach.

Comments

Kelly on October 04, 2019:

I wish we had more opportunities here.

Cindi Kursner on May 29, 2019:

Great article Sandee. Thank you !

S.Pipes on June 26, 2018:

Wonderful article and very detailed account. Thanks!