First water retrieve training session

[Labradorks]

These were taken two weeks ago during Linus' first water retrieving class for his field training. Funny, he was the only young, inexperienced dog there who knew how to swim. The golden and standard poodle are taking separate swimming lessons! The golden swims funny and it's pretty scary watching him struggle. He wore floaties but at one point a few of us were ready to go in after him. The poodle never made it into the water.

The drop off was steep, and as you can see, after Linus goes through the "Whoa! How in the heck am I gonna get in there?!?!" phase, he decides to 'Kerplunk' into the water instead of fly in. We all laughed but the trainer said it's a good thing. She has seen a couple dogs who dive in come up impaled from sticks dislodged from the other dogs coming in and out in the same place. She said it's better if they are careful and suggested we do not teach our dogs to 'dock dive' into the water after birds. I'm sure it's rare that it happens but around here I can see why being careful is good advice.

He is also carrying the bumper back by the string. Silly.

Getting him him up was a challenge and I have the scratches and bruises on my thigh to prove it! After the first time he got the hang of it and was calm so it was easy to help him up.

It was a good day!

[Berna]

LOL, love his way of getting into the water!

[BeataK]

Lovely pics - he's very brave to dive in, none of my dogs would do that

[POPTOP]

Love the second picture. It's like "brakes don't fail me now". Just like the land retrieves, he's having an great time and the joy shows.

[4Thelove]

great pics

[Dallas dawg]

10!!!!!

[Aerodogs]

Haha, it's rather entertaining to me to see them tread lightly, then kind of flop in. Both of my field dogs have big water entries, but my mix and DS both go in like your boy, and I laugh every time. You can just see the wheels spinning inside before they take the plunge. I love his name by the way, very cute!