Although some dogs are natural swimmers, not all are, which makes it important that you take the time to teach your dog to swim. Not only is it good for bonding but can be fun for both of you. Here are some useful tips on teaching your dog to swim.
1. Using a dog life jacket.
A dog life jacket is one of the most useful pieces of equipment for helping your dog to learn to swim. The extra buoyancy provided by the life preserver not only helps him to learn to swim a lot easier but also reduces the amount of fatigue he experiences. It will also keep him warmer in the water. Also a dogs life jacket will usually have a handle on the top which is helpful for lifting him out of the water. This makes it a lot easier for getting him out of the water should he become panicked or fatigued.
2. Be in the water at the same time as your dog.
Very much like teaching a small child to swim it helps a great deal to be in the water with your dog. Not only is it great fun, getting in the water will allow you to guide him through the water and provide encouragement. Also, should he run into trouble you can quickly lift him out of the water and to safety. One proviso on this is that should you have a big dog you may need a friend in the water with you to help lift him out.
3. Start small initially.
If you have your own swimming pool, then this is an ideal way of introducing him to water. He can go in feet first and slowly move out until all his body becomes wet. Throwing your dog into water and hoping for the best is a very bad idea. This can lead to a life long fear of water in your dog.
4. Keep episodes short.
When swimming, a dog uses a lot of energy and also loses a lot of heat in the water. Dogs that are bred to spend a lot of time i water usually have thick fur and a large. This minimizes their heat loss. To prevent your dog from developing hypothermia, keep swimming sessions short, dry your dogs fur afterwards and follow up by wrapping in a blanket.
5. Make swimming fun.
Dogs love nothing more than joining in with his family, jumping and playing about in the water. Make the whole water experience fun. This can be achieved by playing games in the water, giving encouragement and even giving treats. This will encourage him to spend time in water as he will associate the experience with having a good time.
