Are All Dogs Natural Born Swimmers?
With the heat in the Valley, it's only natural to want to find a way to help your dog cool off. While it may be common sense, dogs are not natural swimmers. Summer is here and Arizonians love the water!
While some breeds such as retrievers or spaniels are born strong swimmers; bulldogs, basset hounds, and other dogs with very short legs usually struggle to stay afloat at all. It is true that when a dog is placed in the water they will default to the commonly seen “doggie paddle” style of swimming, but that doesn’t mean they won’t sink to the bottom.
In addition to certain breeds not being built for swimming, some dogs are simply terrified of the water. It is important to monitor your dog in the water when they get in for the first time to see how they react. For some dogs, it may take a little training to get them swimming to their full potential. The first step is to attempt to get your dog in the water while you are swimming, and encourage your pet to come out with you.
Show your dog where the steps are to get in and out of the pool, so that they do not panic. If you have a dog that loves playing catch or chasing tennis balls, you can try throwing something into the water and see if that motivates your dog to jump in. Most importantly, make sure that you don’t push your dog to try too much too fast. Often this can be a slow process, as dogs have to get comfortable getting in the water before they are willing to swim out in the deep end of your pool.
If your dog absolutely will not swim, it is imperative that you keep them safe around water. Make sure that any pool is fenced off and that your dog cannot get in on their own. If you are going to be out on the water with your dog and they don’t swim, look into purchasing a doggie life vest so that they can remain safe.
This is something to take into important consideration as we work to help keep your pet safe even when they are not in our veterinary offices. Remember to always keep an eye out, just like you would a child, as accidents do happen.
For more information on what to do in the event of an accident or to find out the proper safety gear for your pet, please contact Laveen Veterinary Center at 602-559-9600 or book an appointment online.