I use a slightly different technique for getting the watershy dogs in.
I use three different ways. The first is to get a reliable older dog that is good with the pups. I start throwing retrieves for the older dog and let the pup follow the older dog around. The pup will often times follow the older dog out for the retrieve. They seem to trust the more mature dog that all is fine in the water and it is safe. Do this with a pup that loves to wrestle and chase an older dog. They will usually forget there fear of the water. Another way is to get a pigeon tie its wing down and toss it out just barely beyond the pups reach. A live pigeon will cure a watershy pup almost every time. Another way is to get you and a couple of your kids or borrow your neighbors children. Go down to the local pond and jump in. Splash around, make lots of racket, lots of laughing and excitement. The pup will be beside himself with wanting to join you and will come in like its tail is on fire. One of these three techniques should do it. Like the people above said, never force the dog to go in. Once in the water
try to make it as positive expierience as possible. No difficult retrieves yet, and no heavy duty horseplay.

Use a Big Lead to shoot them
were they aint.

Some good ideas above BRDSL43....give them a try and let us know how it goes!

Obviously 'water under the bridge' at this point BRDSL43, but to any others out there with puppies, get them around water as soon as possible! It's just like anything else, the longer you wait the more animosity they have for it. By 10 months that pup should be fairly well 'learned' on hand signals in the water, etc., and headed toward some refinement work.....hard to do if he doesn't like his paws wet! :-)

Just my two cents.

Chad

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."

--Albert Einstein

Few things to try if the pup fetches sticks or bumpers then get it excited about that & keep throwing it farther & farther out in the water you can wade with the pup or you can hook up with some one with a bigger lab that swims & tether the to dogs by the collar & let the big dog go after a bumper & "take the pup along for the ride". Probaly just a few time seeing the big dog go after the bumpers & get praise will be all the pup needs.

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!"