{"id":1643,"date":"2024-05-18T21:18:00","date_gmt":"2024-05-18T20:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/?p=1643"},"modified":"2025-06-19T11:19:12","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T10:19:12","slug":"my-labrador-wont-swim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelabradorsite.com\/my-labrador-wont-swim\/","title":{"rendered":"My Labrador won’t swim!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This is far more common than people might think. Not all Labs like water, at least not to begin with. But all Labradors enjoy swimming if helped to overcome their initial fear or reluctance to enter the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have an older labrador that has never swum,\u00a0getting them swimming might take quite a long time. You might feel that it is not worth the time and effort. However, it is never too late,\u00a0 and if you want to have a go,\u00a0it can be very rewarding. You will need to desensitise your dog gently over the course of a few months.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Do
Do Labs like water?<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Many people assume that all Labradors like water. After all, this is a breed that is historically linked with working alongside hardy fishermen in the icy waters of 19th century Newfoundland. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So it’s only natural that we assume that Labrador puppies are born wanting to take to the water. But not all Labs like to swim! And those whose Labradors won’t swim often feel disappointed or even a bit embarrassed by their furry friend’s lack of proficiency in the swimming department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Different ways to encourage a Labrador to swim<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  • Copying another dog<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Getting in the water yourself<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Retrieving<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Copying another dog<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Some Labradors,\u00a0especially younger ones,\u00a0will be encouraged to swim by repeatedly being taken out with other dogs that enjoy the water. I find that puppies often follow adults straight in, while slightly older young dogs may start by hanging about at the waters edge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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