Otto our Black Labrador Swimming for the First Time

[ssips720]

that rope cud easily tangle him while swimming

[lambo250]

not all dogs can swim? you own a labrador RETRIEVER they are bred to swim. also why the hell are you using a chuckit to throw a ball 2 meters. americans! fuck!

[4694748411]

dont you ever worry about the lead getting wrapped around his legs? im getting a lab do you think i should use one on their first time in the water?

[jbage007]

Otto's gorgeous. I love his first leap of faith. After that, forget it!

I guess the reason people comment about the lead is that the dog's feet can actually get tangled while it is swimming. Labs will instinctly turn and swim back to shore with a retrieve. As much as they love to swim, they do have a tremendous survival instinct.

anyway thanks for the vid- it was really cool how the other 2 labs just happened to show up, as if on cue.

[Djangojunkie]

Hi jbage007, Thanks for the compliment. Otto IS a cutie when he's not misbehaving! 2-1/2 and still all puppy. We don't use the lead anymore, but the first few times we did. He is a really good swimmer and loved to go after this first outing.

[Djangojunkie]

Oops, I replied under Ottos' dads' userid. LOL

[blacklabradorcom]

I use a lead too...you just never know where they are going to go??

[lambo250]

@blacklabradorcom retard



[ebaygoddess]

I've deleted a few posts of people who said using the long lead was dangerous. Sorry you caring folks. NOT all dogs can swim and this is far safer than just tossing him out there. There were many precautions for his safety and rescue if it was needed!

[Grizzly0679]

labs can swim incredibly well, especially with their webbed paws. Mine swims underwater for like 5 seconds at a time. lol.

As for the lead...that's up to the owner. If you don't trust your dog then do the right thing, but if it's an empty lake with no one around, that actually might be a good time to practice off-lead swimming. Also keep an extra ball or treats on you for added "bribing power" if your dog does begin to stray off course. nice doggy by the way. :)

[ebaygoddess]

Thanks Grizzly0679 - Your advice is exactly what our dog trainer said to do.

Otto is a handful and we are still in training doing regular off-lead work.

[Grizzly0679]

Labs are definitely a handful. It really doesn't matter how much training a lab has, at the end of the day, he or she needs to burn tons of energy. Otherwise they may sit and lie down on command, but they still have that high alert look in them. Don't give up, as I'm sure you won't. They take longer than the average dog to mature(about 3yrs old.) but become amazing pets - so eager to please, and so playful. For large dogs, there aren't too many breeds that can beat the good nature of a lab.

[Grizzly0679]

Just to continue...I train my dog in incremental steps for "fetch". I first I get him to sit-stay, then drop the ball about 3ft in front of him. Wait for him to make eye contact with me, and as soon as he does(timing is important) i said, "GO!". He fetches, and I call him back(if he looks your way and isn't coming, sometimes walking backwards helps trigger the prey drive). End with a reward. Rinse and repeat increasing distance accordingly and occasionally removing treats.

[Grizzly0679]

@ebaygoddess hey it's been 2 years. How's the little guy doing?

[soonermagic24]

take the damn leash off... i guarantee you that dog could swim for an entire mile before it got tired... first time i took my lab to the lake, she eased into the water, and never wanted to come out...