How to Train a 1-Year-Old Dog to Retrieve in Water

If you plan to take your dog hunting, he will need to learn how to retrieve fowl from the water. Even dogs that don't hunt can benefit from water retrieval. Swimming provides exercise and mental stimulation for dogs. By 1 year of age, your dog should already have a good understanding of basic obedience commands, which are essential if you want him to return to you after he plunges into the water. His adult teeth are also fully grown by this point, so you don't have to worry about injuring your dog's teeth as you train.

Things You'll Need

  • Ball, Frisbee or retrieving dummy
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Instructions

    • 1

      Locate a body of water in your area, such as a pond, river or lake that allows dogs. Try to avoid very cold water, as your dog will have a more pleasant experience in warmer water and will come to enjoy swimming and retrieving more.

    • 2

      Pack your dog's favorite retrieving toy or a few retrieving dummies to train with. Don't use the dummies unless your dog already recognizes these as "fetchable" objects. If you trained with tennis balls on land, stick with these until your dog gets the hang of retrieving objects from water.

    • 3

      Show your dog the retrieving dummy. Shake it in front of your dog's nose to get her excited and eager to retrieve. Ask your dog to "sit" and "stay."

    • 4

      Toss the retrieving dummy into the water, just far enough that your dog has to get his paws wet to retrieve it. Tell your dog to "get it," "fetch" or any other retrieve command you choose.

    • 5

      Praise your dog for getting the dummy and call her back to you. Take the dummy from her mouth. Use a "drop it" or "give" command if you choose.

    • 6

      Throw the dummy into the water again, this time just a few feet further. Instruct your dog to get it and then praise her when she does so. If she hesitates to go deeper into the water, encourage her in a happy and excited voice and give her extra praise when she finally reaches the dummy. Call your dog back to you and take the dummy from her mouth.

    • 7

      Repeat step 6, throwing the dummy further and further into the water each time. If your dog has particular trouble at a certain depth, repeat that depth until he becomes comfortable retrieving the dummy from that spot. Soon your dog should be comfortable swimming out to retrieve the dummy from any location.

    • 8

      Hold one training session every day, if possible. Don't overwork your dog. Swimming requires exertion on your dog's part, and if she gets too tired she can injure herself or start to dislike swimming. Keep training only as long as your dog stays excited, focused and interested.