When I first got Sam he was petrified, even his water dish was approached with caution. So I got my friend and her water-loving dog to come with us to the beach. Once Sam saw how much fun my friends dog(Moko) was having, as well as trying to follow Moko, he started walking into the water, then wading and then even swimming. It also helped that I would walk into the water with him. Now he LOVES water and I've seen him eying the lake we walk by, however we have to wait until it's much warmer, lol.