| Let's face it. Some dog breeds we just automatically | | | | idea that the water would not hurt her, and to make it |
| expect to love the water, especially a Labrador | | | | fun. This kind of slow, patient, systematic introduction is |
| Retriever. That was my general expectation for the | | | | very important and usually highly successful. |
| beautiful, black Labrador retriever puppy a close friend | | | | Pups need baths, though. So I repeated the slow |
| gave me for my twenty-first birthday. Although a | | | | process, easing into the pleasure of the water ... when |
| rescued dog, her assertive dog behavior was already | | | | without warning, she went into a complete panic mode! |
| evident by nine and ten weeks of age, not at all like a | | | | I quickly held her up by the scruff of the neck to calm |
| fearful dog. Who would have suspected dog fear of | | | | her down. |
| water? | | | | Dog behavior tip in handling panic or tantrum -- |
| Of course, as an experienced obedience dog trainer | | | | Remember, mama dog says "stop" or "cool it!" She |
| and dog owner, I know better than to assume that just | | | | does not coo, "It's okay, baby." Mimicking mama dog's |
| because I have a certain dog breed, it is going to be or | | | | way of taking control makes the pup feel more secure |
| not be a certain way. Each and every dog has its own | | | | and calms her down. The soft approach does not |
| personality, wonderful points, and quirks. You have to | | | | provide leadership, and confident leadership is what a |
| feel each dog out and take the time to see what are | | | | scared dog or child needs to snap out of a panic state. |
| the best training techniques for your specific pet so | | | | The bath took a very long time. The pup had several |
| that your dog can have the best life possible for him ... | | | | panic attacks. However, I had to follow through. Unless |
| and for you. | | | | you want your dog to fear water forever, you have to |
| My Labrador retriever puppy was beautiful but high | | | | stay there until you accomplish your goal. If they leave |
| strung and fiercely determined. In all things, she was | | | | a situation in a fearful state, they will revisit it with that |
| absolutely one hundred percent one way or the other. | | | | same level of fear. |
| There was never an in-between with her. If she didn't | | | | Your mental state is very important, too. You must |
| like it, she was going to show teeth, buck, the whole bit! | | | | stay calm, authoritative, and fully in control. It all gets |
| She was not at all like the mellow Labs with which my | | | | back to the calming effect of confident leadership. You |
| friend grew up, the gentle ones who eagerly went | | | | must step up to the plate and provide that for your |
| duck hunting with her father and retrieved Frisbees | | | | dog. |
| from the lake... the personality expectation my friend | | | | Three months later, my Labrador retriever puppy had |
| had of this gift. My pup was uniquely individual. | | | | learned to accept her monthly bath. She was not |
| My pup seemed absolutely fascinated by the running | | | | happy about it, but she acquiesced and was no longer |
| water in my shower. I introduced her slowly. I took my | | | | terrified. She respected water, but no longer displayed |
| time putting drops on her to help her get used to the | | | | strong dog fear of water. |