So I'm working w my gsp daily on swim lessons right now. The problem she's having is pounding water as I would call it. She runs out to get the decoy, but when has to swim her front paws are up boom boom boom in the water. She's grabs the decoys no problems, then levels out and swims like a fish. Any suggestions on getting her more balanced upon entry to the water other than just repetition?

Its just a puppy swim. It will line itself out. I like to throw some longer marks to get them to understand that they wear themselves out swimming that way.

^^ this.

She'll eventually figure it out. They'll swim like this until the newness of being in the water wears off and the intensity to get the dummy increases. They learn to be efficient.

My current GSP would splash so much water he would swim around in circles because he was having trouble finding the dummy. After about three months working in the water, you could practically ski behind him!

Good to know, yeah I've been taking advantage of flooded streets for swim practice. I am throwing the decoy further so she does have to go long distance while swimming. I did get her to jump into the back of my gator yesterday with out a fight or a beating for the first time. Making progress daily!

Update: went yesterday she's already doing better, went to a scummy area where I normally have her swim, she did good paws up pounding water only a few times, took her to a cleaner area after the scummy area and swam like a fish, making progress.