Training a water rescue dog?

[steph]

Yeah, I know, I'm sure there our books out there but I thought I'd see if anyone here had any experience in this?
I have a new baby Lab. I know they're water dogs by nature. We have a pool and live by the river. Several places are well known for violent rapids that kill inexperienced and drunk rafters/kayakers every year.

I thought this would be a fun way to bond w/the pup and a cool way to help the community and law enforcement...TIA!
XOXO

 

[desdemona]

Hmmm...ok, haven't done it personally. But some Newfoundland breeders I work with use their retired dogs in this line of "work." I'd look to the Newfies for guidance. Great gentle giants 🙂

While labs do love water - and certainly enjoy many such water related activities as retrieving decoys/ducks and such - watch out for some of the not so pleasant aspects of water activity: snakebites (other than rattlers, not sure what you have out there Steph...we have water moccasins/cottonmouths here and copperheads) and the ever so lovely ear infections 🙂 One of those breeds that I jokingly say SHOULD have been ear cropped due to their love of water 😛 (j/k)

Good luck hon! I'll look to see if I can find the Newfie's homepage among my stuff.

 

[featherfingers]

Steph, I'm PM'ing you the information about a friend of mine who trains dogs. She might be able to answer your questions. 🙂

 

[steph]

Thanks so much friends~you're the best. Des~I know we have rattlers and some kind of poisonous water snake out here. I'll have to do more research I guess. Bless you and Frankie both!

XOXO