I'm interested in hearing from some owners of water loving breeds.

I have a 15 week old Leo pup and am really interested in having a go at some water rescue work with her eventually. I was just wondering if there was anything I should (or shouldn't) be doing to get her on the right tracks for this.
I'm in the South East and have joined a club which meets in the summer months for water work, but this isn't particulally near to me and don't seem to be able to find anything more local.

We live near a river, but it's too far for her to walk to at the moment, so she's just splashed about in a nearby lake.

So are there any other working water dogs out there, Newfies etc? And if so, whats the best way to get them started apart from just letting them splash about and have fun?

Lake is much better as that's where the training sessions are usually held and a river could be to fast running so not safe.

Just taking it slowly at first, even just paddling.  Have got your own wetsuit or can you pick them up at the training area?

do just what you are doing let him splash and have fun in newfies pups are not usually worked in water or carting until they are 12 months old depending on where you live you could go along to a newf training session and let him see what its all about and newfie people will  love to help you and your pup above all have fun in the water but one good lesson is to make sure they are trained to come out when you ask them or you maybe in for a long wait on shore

Thanks for the replies, I do have a wetsuit, but haven't put it on for a while, might need to lay off the biscuits for a bit!!
Her training is going well so far, I'm trying to get as far as I can before the teen stage sets in! She certainly seems to enjoy being wet (likes to lay on the floor of the shower and constantly digs out her water bowl)
I wondered what sort of exercises were useful to practice, like retrieving from the water maybe? Is there anything else we gradually start to work towards?

Does anyone know how I can find some Newfie training in my area?

You do not really need water to practice some of the "moves"
You are better off practicing on a dry land as you will have more control over and it will be easier to guide your puppy:
Holding&carrying a dummy/piece of rope and releasing on command (in your hand). - Many dogs tend to drop the item when their feet touch the bottom so practicing returning items to your hand will be very useful. 
Sending the puppy from one person to another --->  taking a rope from one person to another. - If she knows how to do this on dry land, it will be easier to make her understand what you want from her when in the water.
left and right -if you wish to go far :) as these are only needed on the higher level
Picking up items from shallow water - they really enjoy this when puppies or even little older

Some moves do come naturally when they are in the water.
My girl does not retrieve on a dry land but would not dream of not retrieving and rescuing anything from the water (this includes things that have been secured to the bottom of the lake!) My other half once threw a stone in the water --- 10 minutes of circling and dives to try to find the stone in the water followed :) in the end I had to cheat and throw a little stick (when she was not looking) and direct her to it so she believed she has found&returned the item my other half threw in the water!

The rescuing comes very naturally to most of them so just get your puppy used to water and to love playing in the water(+ teach her some of the basics) and you should have loads of fun next summer.

I can not even be trusted to have a bath without my Bath Water Rescue dog...
As long as my head stays on the surface she just sleeps near by(keeping an eye on me) but if I dare to wash my hair e.g. dip my head in, she is there looking very worried and crying...
I once tested how she will react if I go under the water, she tried to nose me up and then went and got my other half from downstairs- making it very clear he needs to follow her NOW!
At least I can feel safe I can not drown in my bath :) :)

I was looking to get into that as potentially as my eldest is a great retriever in the water, less so on ground.

He doesn't like waves but loves playing in rivers, lakes, ponds etc.

What i thought was also very good is starting some small amount of hydro as well, the fun sessions to start with as your girl is very very young right now..
Just wondered where you are in Sussex as this is where i'm based and i know another Leo person on here does or did go to a good doggy swimming pool in West Sussex just for fun sessions.

if you email sue dobson on wsc-southernnewfoundlandclub.co.uk she is the chairman of the working sub commitee for the southern club  i am sure she will be able to help you

That's great, thanks.

Noora, some really useful training ideas there. She's so eager to please at the moment I thought I might as well try and teach her some things that will be useful in the future, apart from the usual basic training. Your dog sounds great btw, glad you're safe in the bath! My two kids are looking forward to taking her down the beach to play in the summer, not sure they'll be so keen if she starts trying to drag them to shore every time they go body boarding! :)

Suejaw, I'm in Henfield in West Sussex, which is in between Horsham & Brighton. I think there is a dog pool around the Thakeham area, but assumed it was for treating injuries etc, I didn't know you could book fun sessions. I'll look into it, thanks.

Hairylegs then you are only a short 10 min drive from my house :-)
You could use Southwater CP for the outside swimming, bearing in mind the nasty swans around there at times.
You been using the Adur river by any chance?? In the summer i often walk up the downs link near the pub(cat and canary?) or go down to the Boltolphs.

There is a doggy swimming pool that i used near Ashington which is huge and caters more for the fun swim sessions. I've tried many around there and that is where i went to introduce my youngster when he was small to water in there. Once in he loved it..

I'd love to meet your girl.. Maybe we could meet up for a dog walk and swim when she is able to exercise for that bit longer.

We've been to Southwater a couple of times, it's a great place to take pups at the weekend, loads of people, kids, dogs, pushchairs, bikes , joggers, water and not too far for them to walk. The first time we went, the lake was frozen over so I couldn't let her off, but the time after, she had a good paddle with my daughter.
The Adur from the downs link is one of my favourite haunts! My last dog and I spent many a happy hour or two splashing about down there.

It'd be good to meet up at some point, what breed do you have? I've been cautious about letting her play with larger breeds while she's growing just in case things get a bit rough, but she seems fine playing with her size or smaller.

I'll look up that pool in Ashington, thanks for the pointers.

I have Bernese, so yes they are large.. I've got no qualms in keeping them on a lead or i can bring the Lab along too. He is mental but is a small working type..

I too was amazed at Southwater being frozen over, we too were there very recently on a weekend.
Actually was in Henfield this afternoon, popped into the pet shop for treats and then me and my eldest had a wander around seeing what houses were for rent.. Seen a nice home which i think is near or in Parsonage Road advertised..
Was keeping an eye out in case i saw a baby Leo being walked :-)
Actually wanted a cuppa from a friend, she was at work..:-(
I'll PM you with the details of the pool.