Teaching a Dog to Swim

Seeing as we named a swimming stroke after them, you would imagine that dogs would take to the water very naturally. Not necessarily so! While some dogs like Labs, Poodles and Portuguese Water Dogs are very athletic swimmers, Pugs, Bulldogs and Dachshunds need a little coaching. With the heat of the summer reaching its peak, many people are heading to lakes, rivers and pools and taking their dogs with them. Now is the perfect time to get your dog in the water and with the tips below, you will have them swimming like naturals in no time!

Photo Credit: http://www.themorningstarr.co.uk/2008/04/28/canine-wet-suit/

- Take your dog to a quiet place with little distraction. This will help to keep their attention on you and not what is going on around them. This will also help them to stay calm and less confused.

- Use positive encouragement when getting them into the water. Keep your voice upbeat and happy. Great encouragement tools can be treats or a favorite toy.

- NEVER throw your dog in the water. This can traumatize him and make the learning process even more difficult. Gradually expose your dog to the water. If he doesn’t want to go in at that time, don’t force him. Continue to use positive reinforcement with treats and toys.

- Keep safety in mind – You may want to purchase a doggie life vest, even if your dog can swim well. It will also aid in the training dogs new to swimming. As you are teaching your dog to swim, support the body until he starts paddling and gradually let him go.

- Lastly, keep an eye on your dog as he becomes more proficient. Always go in the water with your dog so you can help him out if he needs you.

Not all dogs are meant to be swimmers, so keep that in mind while teaching them. If you happen to have a dog that doesn’t swim, but you still like to be near the water, I would highly recommend purchasing a life vest to fit your dog.