Dogs are not born with the ability to swim, even the breeds that are very comfortable in water. In the same way that humans need to learn, you will need to teach your dog to swim. While many dogs will enjoy themselves once they learn to stay afloat, some breeds are very uncomfortable in water and will need help to avoid getting into difficulty. However, in most cases, you can teach your dog to swim with careful training.
Which Dog Breeds Can’t Swim?
Before you first introduce your dog to water, it’s important to recognise whether they are one of the breeds that will not be able to swim very well, or at all.
Some of the breeds that struggle in water include bulldogs, basset hounds, dachshund, pugs, corgis and greyhounds. This does not necessarily mean that these breeds will never want to venture into water, but they are not natural swimmers and will usually need to be supported in the water with buoyancy aids.
This is particularly true of Bulldogs, who find it virtually impossible to keep their head above water without a life jacket and will quickly find themselves in big trouble if left to their own devices.
Dogs with short legs can also find it difficult to stay afloat unaided.
What is the Best Age to Teach a Dog to Swim?
Puppies should be a minimum of around three months old when they first learn to swim. However, it is always best to get advice from your vet that is specific to your dog’s breed and personality, as introducing them to water too early could result in a negative experience that puts them off for life.
How do you Introduce a Dog to Water?
In the early days of your dog swimming lessons, the key will be to get your dog used to being in shallow water. Later, you can move onto a depth that will require them to take their paws off the ground and swim to stay afloat.
Start off in an area of shallow water that does not have any waves or currents that would unnerve your dog. The ideal location will also be quiet so that your dog isn’t overwhelmed, confused or distracted by their surroundings during training. A child’s pool can work well for initial training.
Some dogs will be inquisitive enough to approach the water on their own. This will not always be the case. If they are not inclined to go into the water of their own accord, you can try to entice them. Take a couple of steps into the water yourself, use treats and positive encouragement to persuade them to follow you.
Breeds that are not overly comfortable in the water should wear a life jacket, even in very shallow water. Stay beside your dog at all times in case they start to panic once they are in the water.
Spend some time getting your dog more familiar with being in shallow water by playing games. The aim is to grow your dog’s confidence and enthusiasm for spending time in the water.
Be patient with this aspect of the training; not all dogs will feel comfortable quickly and some may not enjoy being in water at all.
How to Teach a Dog to Swim
Once your dog is comfortable in shallow water, you can take things up a notch by going into deeper water. This will require them to start paddling to stay afloat as they will no longer be touching the bottom. It’s therefore essential that your dog wears a life vest in case they get into trouble in the water, even if you are right beside them.
You will often need to support them in the water until they feel more comfortable with the idea of keeping themselves afloat. You should look to support your dog’s midsection and hindquarters in particular so that they are encouraged to use both front and back legs to paddle. Using only the front paws will quickly make your dog tired, so it’s important that they learn to use all four paws.
Use treats and praise
Maintain your dog’s enthusiasm for being in the water with treats and praise to help them to build a positive association with the water. You can offer treats for various milestones such as going into and out of the water. This will help them to recognise that being in the water is both fun and rewarding.
[Photo Credit: Gatorgoon]