you know........... i used to agree with all of that.... If fact, when we first bought our lab (who is constantly getting compliments on his hunting skills) we were very carefull with him.

Then the damn neighbors got to him!!! I was going to allow my dog to walk around a ditch (his first hunting season, he still doesn't not swim, about 1 year old) but my neighbors thought that was dumb. I was probably one of the most angry pet owners you've ever seen win they picked up Moses, and tossed him in.

BUT! he swam. and to this day he is still swimming in that ditch, can't get him out. I think any dog can be tought anything... consider holding the dog under the belly and wading in the water with him like you would a child. they'll naturally kick their legs.

Keep missing? naw, just "shooting blanks!"