15 June 2020
Swimming is a great way to exercise your dog while keeping them cool in the summertime. Unfortunately, not all dog breeds are natural born swimmers. Some may need additional encouragement before they begin enjoying a quick dip in the lake.
Follow these steps over a period of a few days to avoid overwhelming your dog.
Step 1 – If your dog is new to swimming or is a breed with a stockier build, make sure to purchase a properly fitting life jacket with a handle for them to wear.
Step 2 – Get your dog comfortable with wearing the life jacket by putting it on them when you’re at home and encourage good behaviour with treats.
Step 3 – Introduce your dog to a small body of water first, such as a baby pool or a bathtub with a couple of inches of water in it.
Step 4 – Reward your dog when they step in the water.
Step 5 – Gradually let your dog become comfortable with bigger bodies of waters such as lakes, pools and ponds by allowing them to go freely in and out of the water.
Step 6 – When teaching your dog to swim in a larger body of water, simply do it while holding your dog and allowing them to swim to the edge. Slowly move away from the edge to allow your dog to swim from further distances.
Step 7 – Use a ball or toy to encourage your dog to swim to fetch it and reward your pet when they retrieve the item.
Remember to never leave your dog unsupervised while playing in or near water.
Happy swimming!