Whew! Hot summer weather beckons all of us to cool off in
refreshing water. Dogs often love it too, splashing and frolicking and swimming
in the drink.
How can you teach
your dog to swim?
Some dogs seem to be natural swimmers.
Certain breeds
(such as Aussies, Newfoundlands, Poodles, various Retrievers take to the water
easily. Others (like Bassets, Boxers, Bulldogs, Dachshunds, Pekingeses, and
Pugs)
may
never seem comfortable with the prospect.
1. Pick a safe
swimming spot. Plenty of pet owners begin with a kiddy pool or even the
bathtub. Once the pup grows accustomed to being in the water, he or she can
advance to a calm, current-free pond or pool with a gradual sloping entry
(rather than a quick drop-off) and no tangle hazards (like branches or buoys).
Be sure dogs are allowed in your selected swimming spot. Tags or licenses may
be required.
2. Try a doggy life
jacket for the first few swims. It’s a good idea to let the dog play on
solid ground to get used to wearing the flotation vest.
Here are a few examples of canine life preservers:
3. Lead the dog
gently and gradually into the water. It may help to splash a little,
coaxing him to put his paws into a shallow spot. Play balls and floating toys
can be pluses.
4. Keep it safe. Do
not toss a dog into water to swim for the first time. And avoid throwing a ball
or toy into deep water for a non-swimmer dog to fetch.
5. Leave the leash on.
This will enable you to retrieve the dog quickly, if needed. If the area is
enclosed, you can remove the leash, once the dog demonstrates competent independent
swimming ability.
6. Try to stay in
shallower parts, where you can easily stand up to help your pet. The tricky
part for many dogs arises when they cannot touch bottom in deeper water. It’s
important for the human to be able to help safely, as needed.
7. Watch the dog
carefully for signs of unrest. If the pet seems panicky, it’s best to quit
the swimming effort for now and quiet him on the shore or deck.
8. Hold the dog
carefully and securely around his midsection for his first attempts to swim. As
he grows confident, you can let go and stay near him, possibly supporting him under
his belly until he can propel himself independently.
9. Point the dog
towards the shore before letting him go on his own. Make your way there as
well, and the dog will probably follow.
10. Start with short
swimming sessions. Swimming is great exercise, but the dog needs time to
build up his endurance, just like people do. Reward the dog for a job well done. Follow the swim with a bath or hosing off to remove algae, lake
debris, sand, or pool chemicals.
Reminder: Never
leave a dog unattended to swim alone.
Image/s:
Swimming Dog photos
Public domain
