Hi,

I have a 2-3 year old male rescue. I've had him approx 4 weeks and the rescue was unable to provide any info on him, even his age is a guess! It seems like he has had absolutely no experience of anything. the main problem he has is with water. I live by a river and he is terrified of it, even in the shallow water at the shore he freezes and tries to run away. He also avoids puddles and doesnt seem to be making any progress over the weeks. I'm using a trainer with him to sort out basic training but any tips would be appreciated

thanks

It could be that he's got into difficulty in water or worse still someone has tried to drown him. I would just take it really really slowly, you haven't had him very long, 4 weeks is no time at all, many dogs take months to settle. He will still be learning to trust you, so don't try and force him or you could make it worse. Try not to make a big deal of it or he will think there is something to be worried about. If he has made any doggy friends who like water let him be around them when they are going in and out of the water, he'll soon learn there is nothing to fear - then you'll be cursing the fact that he goes in them .

thanks, I've been taking it slow with him and havent forced him. He did follow a dog into the water once while playing with him but as soon as he realised he jumped straight out again

Young Winston was a little nervous when I got him at 9 months as he had never been off lead, off path nor had he seen water. Five years on he is still a big girl's blouse but far far far more confident. Time and patience required

Yes, I agree time & patience. Some rescue dogs always have some baggage, but I think each tiny triumph is worth all the effort. Good luck!

- it could just be that he had no experience of water, I know he is older but, most puppies seem to be reticent when initially faced with it - it took mine months of walking near water, and finally watching others having fun in it, before they would even get their feet wet - so perhaps his life experiences have just been very narrow - poor chap. Good luck with him, it sounds like he's in need of love and fun, so he's very lucky you found him