Swimming Safety Tips For Your Dog

Longer, sweltering days signal the imminent arrival of summer. There are several enjoyable summertime activities that you may want to do with your dog. Knowing the best practices to keep your dog safe is essential if he enjoys swimming to beat the summer heat. Whether your dog enjoys splashing about in a lake, stream, pool, or any other body of water, following fundamental swim safety precautions is essential to prevent emergencies. This article explores swimming safety tips for your dog.

Are all Dogs Great Swimmers?

It is a myth that all dogs are excellent swimmers, however, some dogs do like swimming. The Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Curly-Coated Retriever, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, and Flat-Coated to name a few. These dogs are among the breeds that contributed to the swimming maneuver known as the “doggie paddle.”

Spaniels like Water. Boykin, and Cocker Spaniels also like playing in the water. English and Irish Setters, Spanish and Portuguese Water Dogs, as well as the enormous Newfoundland, are some of the other entertaining canines that love pool activities. Newfoundlands, despite their size, have webbed feet and were first designed to assist fishermen with their nets as well as carry out water rescues. Dogs with webbed paws swim better. Many of the other breeds described, such as the different types of retrievers also have webbed feet. Webbed feet are important, however Dachshunds have large bodies and short legs that prevent them from becoming Olympic caliber swimmers. Canine swimming ability has a lot to do with body types. Take the time to explore swimming safety tips for your specific dog.

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Here are Some Swimming Safety Tips For Your Dog

Putting on the Puppy Boots

A swimming pool with broad stairs is a great location to get your dog used to the water. Your dog’s life jacket should be leashed, and you should wade in with him. Encourage your dog to follow you as you begin in shallow water. Allow him to enter the water, even if he simply dips his toes.

Encourage your dog to wade farther into the water over time until he must swim to you. Toys that are simple to hold and float are perfect for retrieving water. Just toss them a few feet away and tell him to come to get ’em. Do this leash training slowly over a few sessions. Don’t try to teach your dog to swim by himself right away.

Floatation Aids

Your dog may enjoy the water safely and securely with the aid of a flotation vest. Every dog, regardless of size or form, could easily get into problems in the water. For the protection of your dog and your peace of mind, a correct fitting life jacket is advised. Look for a model with a handle on the back so that you can grasp it in an emergency. Some models also have chin bumpers that keeps a dog’s head pointing up so they don’t ingest water. This characteristic is crucial for brachycephalic breeds, or breeds with flat faces like Pugs, Boxers, French, and English Bulldogs.

Before you take your dog to the beach, the pool, or a boat, the American Kennel Club advises getting them used to wearing a flotation device on dry land and making sure he feels completely at ease. To guarantee total comfort, it also advises putting it on and having your dog wear it throughout the home, including at mealtimes, and even when playing games of fetch.

Plan B

A baby pool is a terrific place to start teaching your dog to swim. A small to medium-sized kiddie pool is a great “Plan B.” Expose your dog to water a little at a time. A full-size swimming pool may sometimes be too intimidating. Reward your dog when he jumps into the empty pool by leaving it there. Add water gradually. Your dog will quickly discover that this is enjoyable if you show him some nice food and excitement.

Your dog will still need close supervision after he becomes used to the swimming pool and becomes braver and more comfortable in the water. Encourage kids to only toss toys into the pool so that your dog can recover while they are being watched by an adult. Often, kids are having so much fun that they are aware when their canine friend is in danger in the water.

Also, you should never intentionally toss a dog into a pool. Don’t push your dog to participate in water activities if they really are afraid. Some dogs will like running about the pool just as much.

Verify the Safety of the Water

Always thoroughly treat your swimming pool, whether it is freshwater or saltwater, before using it. Enable the chemicals to circulate. Too much chlorine may also cause eye burns in dogs. With saltwater pools, the same holds true.

You must make sure the water is free of parasites that are spread by water, such as giardia if your activities take place in a pond, lake, or river. Blue-green algae is very harmful to dogs, therefore you should always stay away from any water that is overrun with it. Similar to how a dog ingesting too much saltwater might ruin a day at the beach, it can upset your dog’s stomach and result in diarrhea.

Make sure you have fresh water, whether you are lounging by the pool, having a picnic at a beach, river, or lake, or on a boat. Never let your dog drink from a river or a pool. Always lead him to the water dish. If necessary, flavor the water source with some bone broth to entice your dog to drink from it. To keep it chilled for a long time, freeze it in a dish and let it gently melt. Swimming safety tips for your dog also includes making sure the water he swims in is free of bacteria and harmful parasites.

Dogs should be given time to digest meals before engaging in water activities, much like kids, when it comes to eating and water activities. After any meal, it’s always a good idea to wait an hour.

Dogs may also become sunburned

Make sure your dog can reach a shaded location to cool down wherever he is enjoying the water. No matter where your outside activities are, you must make sure your dog has access to a lot of shade. Dogs with pink noses and stomachs are more susceptible to sunburn, which may result in skin cancer. Yes dogs can absolutely get sunburn. Dog-friendly sunscreens are essential for any sun-filled outdoor activities, whether they take place in or out of the water.

Down Shower

To make sure there is no chlorine, saltwater, or sand left on your dog’s skin or in his hair at the end of the day, thoroughly rinse him off. If not eliminated, these compounds could irritate people. After spending the day in the water, it’s a good idea to give your dog a quick shower. A more thorough dog wash may be required if your dog has a long, thick coat.

Observe Your Dog

Of course, whether your dog is playing in the shallows or taking a complete swim, you should always keep an eye on them while they are in the water. But you should also keep an eye on your dog if he comes into contact with water, particularly if it was in a lake, river, or ocean. If your puppy does get any unsavory germs, it’s best if you catch any early indications of an infection or sickness so you can take your dog to the doctor right away.

Some Extra Tips

You may try several things to assist your dog get his fix if he doesn’t like swimming but still seems to like playing in the water. The most important thing is to stay in shallow water and to follow the swimming water safety tips for your dog at all times.

• Get your dog a kiddie pool and fill it with some of his favorite (floating) toys. You may use a yard hose to play “catch the water” or turn on the sprinkler.
• Allowing your dog to play in a tub with just a few inches of water (if you have a smaller pooch).
• Whether you live close to a stream or your dog is hiking with you, you may play fetch in a shallow section or watch your dog’s antics as he attempts to understand the motion of the fish below the surface.

Dogs should always wear their collars when swimming in public. If your dog typically sports a leather collar with jewels, think about investing in a nylon water-specific collar. A missing dog’s ticket home is, of course, appropriate identification.

Wrapping Up

Numerous locations have designated dog-friendly swimming facilities. You may discover a variety of interesting locations where you can take your dog for enjoyable and engaging water play. This could be a specific area of a beach, a certain length of coastline along a lake, or even an entire water park designed for dogs.

Depending on the city you reside in, a quick web search will help you find any such locations nearby and provide you with advice specific to that location. Because these locations are designed with dogs in mind, it is advantageous to bring your dog there so they can play and interact.

Also, because dogs are accepted and appreciated, you are less likely to be surrounded by those who would prefer not to share their enjoyment of the water with animals. Always follow local leash laws and educate yourself about the site’s rules and restrictions before taking your dog there. These swimming safety tips for your dog should be kept in mind when you go out to have some summertime fun with your pet. When you and your dog are near water, you should always be cautious; this will ensure that your dog has fun splashing about.

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