That sounds like such a fun and rewarding experience! I went through something similar with my own dog when I was teaching her to be more confident around water. What helped a lot was starting with really shallow areas so she could walk in and get used to the feeling before jumping. Once she realized it was safe and actually enjoyable, her excitement made her forget any hesitation. Programs like Board and Train Long Island really focus on that kind of confidence-building, too. It’s all about trust, patience, and creating positive experiences that stick.
RE: Training my German Shepherd to Jump off the Pier... down by the river