I have been following some the discussion on water-freaking here, but most of it concerns puppies. My situation is a little different.

A month ago, my wife and I adopted a 20-month-old Chessie, Fisher. He is cheerful, sociable, crate-trained, and house-broken.

He had had little formal retrieving training, and since I wanted him for a hunting dog as well as a pet, I started him with dummies on land. He learns quickly.

I have two other male Chessies before, both acquired as pups. Both retrieved birds on land and water and were good all-around "hunting pets."

So we got Fisher home, and after a few days I took him down to the swimming hole in the creek near our house. And then I had my first experience of Chessie water-freaking. I had never heard of it before, but now I know!

Today I took him to a pond and put him on a 30-foot cord. He would charge into the water and go nuts--barking, thrashing, etc. After a minute I would blow the whistle, shout "Come!" and haul him back.

(Repeat about 12-15 times.)

I am open to suggestions about curing this problem. I have more patience now than I did with my first dog 23 years ago, and I am willing to do what it takes.

Some people have suggested shock collars. I bought one, but still have not opened the box. (Never felt that I needed one before.) Are they really the only way to go?

Fisher is a good dog in all other respects and has become the "clown prince" of our two-dog household. But I do want to be able to hunt ducks over him.

What is the best way to proceed?

thanks in advance

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Kent Stokesberry:
Great looking Peake !

Actually, that was his predecessor. I need a new photo.
Here is Fisher:
http://natureblog.blogspot.com...ord-from-fisher.html

Lisa, I read what you wrote on the other thread. It makes sense. Maybe as soon as the creek drops a little, I can put on my hip boots, if needed, and practice calling Fisher from one bank to the other with my wife's help.

Right now, he just hits the water and it's "liquid cocaine" as someone said. He becomes deaf to the whistle until his feet touch bottom close to shore!

Kent, what you said makes sense too. Today, however, he totally ignored his tennis ball and dummy when I tossed them in at water's edge. He partly ignored dog biscuits when he was sitting on the bank (on the check cord). He just stared at the pond and made yodeling noises in the back of his throat.

I suppose it comes down to desensitization.

I would also like to get a hunting buddy to bring his Lab down to the same pond and show Fisher how water retrieving is done. Problem is, he lives 60 miles away.

But dogs do learn from other dogs best, I sometimes think. (They sure learn all the "bad" stuff.)

Jack, my previous Chessie learned pheasant hunting in one December morning from a friend's Brittany, at the age of 9 months.

Thanks again for your help.

PS: I updated the photo to show Fisher rather than Jack.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Lisa Van Loo:

"If you have access to good obedience classes nearby, I would definitely sign him up for that. Basic manners, learning how to become focused with the distractions of other dogs and people moving around him in class; these are all good experiences."

"Nearby" is kind of an issue for us. Heck, it's 15 miles to the nearest gas station. But he will keep getting his 10 minutes twice a day. He is quick and attentive -- on land!

Thanks again.

Chas

quote:

"Nearby" is kind of an issue for us. Heck, it's 15 miles to the nearest gas station. But he will keep getting his 10 minutes twice a day. He is quick and attentive -- on land!

15 miles should be nothing for a good obedience class. I'm driving 15 miles one way three days a week for evening training classes (after putting in a full 8 hour day at a job that is 35 miles away from my home and that's just one way) but feel it's worth it for what the dogs get from the classes.

And no, I don't have an economy car, but drive a Ford Expedition !

quote:

And no, I don't have an economy car, but drive a Ford Expedition

Hey Kathy, Maybe Juli can build you a nice Mushing Sled and we can add wheels.
You have enough Chessies and Scottie can be the lead dog.

Charlie, Chelsea, and A new cbr soon!!

Just for clarity's sake, I said it was 15 miles to a gas station. I have no idea how far it is to a good obedience class.

And I understand the need to have the Expedition for a "dog hauler."

quote:

Hey Kathy, Maybe Juli can build you a nice Mushing Sled and we can add wheels.
You have enough Chessies and Scottie can be the lead dog.

LOL! Thanks, Charlie, but I might get to work faster on my horse or a bicycle! But I'll take the car....my days are long enough as it is! And the good side is that the car is paid for!

Chas, My brother lives in Lake City Co.

I was training a fiends dog and had just completed Ff so took him to his first water. Let him out of the truck and he was gone and I couldn't get him out of the water. I stripped off my cloths, threw a bumper close to shore and as he approched the bumper I bailed in after him and he never freaked again. All I can say is thank God for that as the water was really cold.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Lisa Van Loo:
Whereabouts in CO are you located? Lots of CO ties on this board, maybe someone can point you in the direction of (relatively) nearby obedience training.


I live in Custer County, in the Wet Mountains.

I have been following discussions since i got my chessie about 16 months ago. My dog rosie is a true water freaker who until collar conditioned had never come out of water on her own. Her record was 3 hrs of swimmng in circles and the splashing. It seamed her brain would totally shut down. After 12 months and 2 pros i felt like the problem was getting worse. After some great chessie people in my area were kind enough to evaluate her they gave me hope and one more referral. A very nice lady on the florida panhandle took her in 3 months later i had a different dog. She used a program of obedience, cc, and ff. She also worked on my dogs timetable not some cookie cutter lab program that i believe some of the other pros might of been guilty of. After seeing the change in my dog i believe there is hope for any freaker but would definately recommend seaking help from true chessie people. My experiences have showed that most in the community are very gracious with time and info.