Hi Stella1,
When Doug (Golden Retriver) was a pup he put is head into a bon-fire and his wiskers caught on fire. The first thing my dad could think of was to grab him and put him in the pool. Douggy sank straight to the bottom and I had to jump in and get him. I think that experiences like that really stay with a Dog unless you help them combat their fears. After this we would get in the pool with him, holding onto him and then we would let him go and encourage him to swim to the shallow end of the pool staying with him the whole time, after a few lessons like that he would love getting in the Pool its just like having a child, they need encouragement, love and support.
Hope this helps
GSD-Girl