Need some advice here. My 8 month old lab, who I was so proud of up to this point, will not get in the water now. He has been swimming all year, in the lake, the pool, and wherever else. I worked him off the boat some this summer. He's retrived in the water umpteen times, until now. I took him out for his first hunt the other day, and he would not get wet. I thought maybe he was just confused about the bird, so I threw a bumper, and no go. Took him to the lake the next day, from the bank, and nothing. he is still doing great on land, but he just runs to the edge of the water and stops. I know the water is a little chilly, but how do I break this habit? I don't want him thinking it's ok to not retrieve in the water.

Water force.....same as force to pile on land, just into the water. At least that is what my buddy does. He is a non full time pro trainer. May help I dont know.

IMO the best thing to do is put your waders on and walk in the water and have him come to you. It's like a comfort thing...Dad did it so it's ok to get in the cold water.

and then aging some dogs just dont do water they get to that point in there training and u can tell there not going to be a water dog !!

It all comes back to Force Fetch. If the dog was FF and collar conditioned, you should then move to water force. Force Fetch teaches a dog that when I say BACK ....there is no compomise....dog gets in the water....period. You have got to get this point across, especially with a young dog its first year. If they balk do not give in.....get them going no matter what. Because if you don't, you told the dog you can go when they want to....and that's not good. This is a crucial time in a young dogs training....you must be firm and consistent!

This most likely isn't you're problem but I thought it was strange. My dog is 7 years old and I can count one hand how many birds he hasn't brought back on one hand. In these seven years he has never hunted from a blind. Opening weekend we had a high tide which was forcing him to swim to make the retrieves. After about 10 retrieves he decided he wasn't leaving the blind. I had never seen him hesitate, now he had no interest. I got pissed and through him out the dog door into the water and He headed for the bird. This happened for a few more retrieves then one of the birds fell outside the dekes and kept swimming with the dog right behind him. I took the boat over to pickup dog and pulled up on the bank. My dog barely made out the boat before he started pissing. He went for well over 2 minutes. The rest off the day he retrieved with no "encouragement" whatsoever. I guess he didn't want to piss in the blind cause we where in there and couldnt in the water cause he was swimming.

I guess my point is the problem ain't always obvious.

Be careful....cold water and water force don't mix well. A long term water issue is not pleasant. You may have to wait until spring.

Be very careful bring a young puppy to the cold water. I would not hunt him any more this season. What program are you using. 8 months old is very young to be hunting.

I am not a pro trainer but if it was my "pup" I would go right back to basics, Long check cord, "heel" and "come" in shallow water, ankle deep, and work slowly out deeper, like knee deep and then move on to fetchin bumpers in the shallows from your hand and then on the water at yoru feet ..................Get your boots on and run with it, slowly.... in Alaska we always have cold water. (if your not solid on basic obedience and Force Fetch on land get that down 100% first) Remember, have fun and leave the emotions home.
Duckdon

At 8mo I agree with slick. If you go and he don't he will think he's a Pussy.