I am so sorry I post too much on here

Anyway, it's been three weeks with my new boy Lancelot and he is doing WORLDS better in every category except crate training and being alone, but we are working on it!

Despite Lance's initial behavior problems, I refused to use a spray bottle as punishment because I worried he would be scared of the water afterward. Well, it seems my poor little guy is scared anyway.

It is obvious this baby's last owner never really took him outside, so we spend a lot of time out there. When given a bath, he just stands in the tub. I stand in it with him (I have a detachable spray thing for the bath) but still just stands. Overall an okay experience! However, pools are a new story. He seems like he doesn't understand the concept of it. He'll stand on the steps in the water, especially if he's trying to get a toy, but he is terrified of his face being in the water. He doesn't seem to understand why the next step down submerges him.

We didn't want to force him in or throw him in our of fear it'd make it a bigger problem. Any tips for encouraging water play? Any special games? He loves fetch and even that doesn't seem to convince him to jump in. I considered purchasing a plastic kiddy pool, but he seemed disinterested in the one they had at the shelter for him.

Thanks guys!

My two love everything having to do with water, from playing in sprinklers to trying to "catch" the water if I'm watering outside with a hose, they'll run right into water at the beach but they won't go in my pool. Someone told me a theory once, and it seems plausible...our dogs are comfortable walking or running into water, but for a pool, they have to step down into it, and that's where the uncomfortable, unsure feeling comes in. I bet Lance would walk right into the water at the beach.

Since I've never taught any husky I've had to jump in the pool, I can't give you much advice there but I'd think it'd be like anything else with training, get him in there, lavish him with praise, maybe even a treat, but no telling if he will become so used to it that he just does it on his own. My last two huskies I taught to get on the first step of the pool, on their own, but that's as far as they'd go, lol.

There's my son's dog, Archer, who loves all things water, including swimming. Which proved to be such a huge problem when the pool cover was on in the spring and fall (he would plop himself on it...risk drowning under the cover) that we had to put invisible fence around the pool. In the kiddie pool, he stretches out full length.

Then there is Ami. OK, he'll put his feet in up to his "ankles"...maybe, on a really, really hot day, wade in until the water approaches his belly hair. If he starts to float, he immediatley turns around and gets out, highly suspicious of that strange water...

Gabby also loves water! But will not swim in it if her life depends on it. Anything up to her belly she will not go any farther. I think it has to do with an balance thing. She does not like the unstable feeling that floating gives her. She also does not like floating docks which I would think is similar to her floating. Huskies are not known for their love of swimming/ability to swim so I would take it slow if you really want him to swim if not, I wouldn't worry about it.

I tend to agree with Kyle, of my three dogs one will willingly swin, one will wade and one will have *nothing* to do with water beyond drinking it.

Avalanche - all I have to do is look at a hose and he's gone.  Standing water, like a pool - nope, no way.  Thankfully he keeps himself clean, 'cause I've gotten indications that he'd fight tooth and nail if I tried to bathe him.
Sasha - will go wading, but isn't too impressed with getting in any further than getting her belly wet.
Sky - walked into a standing pond and took off swimming till she hit the end of her lead and then just paddled around.  

Now, since all of mine are rescues, I have no idea what experiences they had before they came to me.  And living in the desert, they don't have the option of many ponds / pools / rivers.  

I think you'll find it's strictly a "per dog" thing, some love water and beaches, some don't.  If you're in the water at a beach, for example, they may join you - then again they may just set on the shore "singing" cause you're going to drown yourself.

I will say that if you're relaxed about it, it will help them, maybe, decide that it's okay. If you're stressed about them getting in the water then they'll be worried.

Yep yep agree with Al......it's a per dog thing. Miya loves to swim, but doesn't like her face to get wet, she figured out that she can swim around and keep her head above water and will swim all day if allowed to. She hates the hose, unless it's to get a drink, and has been bathed, but doesn't care for it. Sofie is a water dog, oh my goodness, she will dive under to grab a ball from the bottom of the pool, she will swim, she will chase the hose water, I've never heard of a diving dog, but she would do it for sure. She will stay in the water, until I tell her it is time to go inside. The funniest thing is she will dig in her pool and splash water everywhere, and ends up splashing me and Miya, in which Miya runs away, since typical the splash will get her in the face, lol. non stop entertainment here.

My suggestion like Al, make it a non issue. Get a kiddie pool and get in and show your pup it is not scary, and perhaps he'll get in with you? They only cost a couple of dollars, and encouragement may work, once you're in the pool.

My Pasha hates all water, unless he is drinking it. He does not like baths. He does not like his pool. He does not like the rain. He hates the river. HATES the river. Artemis loves all water, except having a bath. They all have their own preferences and personalities. Maybe he will warm up to the water once he is around it more.