“Every dog can swim!”

“Just toss him in – he’ll manage!”

“Mine jumps into every puddle, so he’ll surely love swimming too!”

“For heaven’s sake, my little one mustn’t go near the water – he’ll sink with his fur!”

You’ve probably heard such statements or similar ones when it comes to the topic of water, swimming, and dogs.

But what is actually true?

Spoiler: None of these statements are entirely accurate – but there is a bit of truth in each.

In this article, I want to give you some tips on what to consider when taking your dog to the water and introducing them to swimming. I’ll show you how to gently familiarize them with the wet element and highlight potential dangers.

Dogs and Water: Things to Know Before You Start

In general, dogs can swim because the reflex of doggy paddling is innate to them. They move their legs to stay afloat and survive.

You can observe this, for example, when trying to bring a small dog from your arms into the water – they start paddling their legs before reaching the water surface.

However, just because they can swim doesn’t mean they’re necessarily good at it.

Also, not every dog is a water enthusiast and enjoys a dip.

While my small terrier mix only went into the water upon my explicit request and for my sake, I could hardly keep my Labrador-Dogue mix away from it.

Suddenly, next to me, there was a “splash,” and the “big one” happily swam his laps. He was so enthusiastic about water that even in the stables, during our summer visits to horse practices, he couldn’t resist taking a bath in the large, black buckets often used as horse troughs. This didn’t always meet with enthusiasm from the horse owners, but that’s another story.

As you may have heard, certain dog breeds are generally associated with an affinity for water. These are often breeds bred for work in or around water, whether for hunting, like Retrievers, or assisting in retrieving nets or boats, like the Landseer. These breeds and their mixes are popular choices for water rescue work.

Dive into the fascinating world of water rescue dogs – discover which breeds and mixes are particularly sought after and the impressive abilities they possess. Let their dedication and courage inspire you. More coming soon on our blog.

Did you know that the Poodle was originally bred for water hunting as well, and that’s why they have the distinctive grooming with pom-poms on their feet? This grooming ensured that essential areas, like joints and the kidney area, remained dry and warm. The rest of the body could quickly dry, providing maximum leg freedom, especially in the hindquarters.

6 Tips to Teach Your Dog to Swim

Maybe you have one of these water-loving dogs, and you want to encourage this passion in your furry friend. In that case, here are some tips to help you get started with swimming.

Firstly, especially with water enthusiasts and puppies, be cautious to avoid accidents or increased stress at the beginning. Ensure that your dog doesn’t have unrestricted access to water where they might accidentally fall in.

I know cases where this involuntary surprise contact with water led to an aversion. In such instances, it becomes challenging, if not partially impossible, to reintroduce the dog to the joy of water and swimming.

1. Pay Attention to the Weather:

If you want to start introducing your dog to water, please pay attention to the weather. While your furry friend might already be wet in the rain, it’s much more pleasant when it’s warm and dry. Additionally, splashing around can provide a cooling effect, which can be helpful in convincing your dog to engage with water. Keep in mind that, especially in the beginning, you might get your feet wet a few times.

2. Find a Suitable Spot:

For starters, I recommend choosing a shallow area without strong currents. Your furry friend should be able to stand comfortably without having to swim immediately. It’s crucial to ensure there’s an easy entry and exit from the water, and it’s advisable to begin with freshwater.

3. First Contacts with the Water

To have a good start, it’s essential to have a trusting relationship between you and your dog. Introducing a task like this to a dog who has just joined your household, whether a puppy or an older companion, can quickly overwhelm them.

At the beginning, I recommend:

Dogs learn well through imitation. Take his favorite treat or a toy, and encourage your furry friend to follow you. A “seal” will likely follow you quite quickly, and once he’s with you, you can reward him. In this case, you’ll notice that you can easily transition to throwing treats or toys into the water without having to get in yourself.

For more cautious dogs, reward every small step, even if it’s just approaching the water. Alternatively, you can use a narrow, not too deep stream to introduce your dog to water. Again, use a treat or toy, and throw it to the other side of the stream. This way, your dog needs to overcome the challenge of getting into the water twice, but you’ll see him proudly returning to you, having mastered the task.

This is how I got my little Greek dog used to water. However, I had to be careful if there was a bridge or a log crossing the stream. In such cases, she usually opted for the dry method of crossing.

4. Gradually Acclimate to Deeper Water and Swim Together

If your dog is clearly having fun, running in and out without minding the splashes, you can slowly venture into deeper areas. The approach here is essentially the same as in shallow water. Motivate your furry friend to continue following you, using treats or toys.

Ensure that both treats and toys float, or it may be frustrating for your dog if he sees them sinking and can’t reach them – unless you have one of those water-loving dogs who don’t mind diving for them.

Be mindful not to extend the first swimming sessions too much. Perhaps you remember how it feels when you go swimming after a break – it’s quite exhausting. Up until now, your dog has seen you standing next to him in the usual way, but that changes when you want to swim together. Suddenly, he only sees your head.

Depending on his mood, this change can lead to panic in your furry friend as he has never seen you in this way before. The consequence might be that your dog will try to come very close to you, potentially hindering your swimming, which can be dangerous depending on your dog’s size.

Therefore, proceed step by step until you are fully in the water.

5. Regular Practice

“You don’t forget how to swim!” This also applies to our four-legged companions.

However, swimming or even just frolicking in shallow water can be quite exhausting, not only physically but also mentally.

Therefore, I recommend starting with short sessions, as with any activity involving your furry friend. With regular training, longer distances are also possible; for example, in the Iron Dog competition, one discipline involves swimming together for 150 meters.

6. Use Life Jackets

Yes, you read it correctly—there are life jackets for dogs. These are primarily used for search and rescue dogs to facilitate their demanding work. However, your dog can also benefit from a life jacket. Especially for anxious personalities, it provides security and makes it easier for them to enter the water.

Alternatively, if you have a dog whose fur is not suitable for water, for example, because the undercoat absorbs water, a life jacket can be beneficial. Unfortunately, this is indeed the case with very light to white Golden Retrievers if breeding has focused only on color. In such a case, the vest can also be useful. It’s essential that it fits well and does not restrict your dog’s movement.

Tips after the Water Experience: Pay Attention to Proper Cleaning

Even the most enjoyable bathing experience comes to an end. The result is usually a happy but wet four-legged friend. For short-haired dogs, drying off with a suitable towel is usually sufficient. Don’t forget especially to dry the head and ears.

If the sun is still shining, your furry friend will quickly dry off. Further activity, such as continuing the walk, helps remove moisture from the fur.

It’s different for long-haired dogs. Depending on how the undercoat is structured, moisture may be retained. Here, too, rubbing and movement are the first measures. However, this is often not enough. In such cases, I recommend using a so-called dog bathrobe. This is made of a fabric that absorbs moisture, similar to a sweat blanket in equestrian sports. This prevents your dog from cooling down.

Indeed, I use a bathrobe for my short-haired girl as well. It has additional advantages, such as keeping the surroundings dry, even if your furry friend shakes off water or hasn’t completely dried before claiming the couch.

You can buy dog bathrobes or even sew one yourself.

Health Aspects of Swimming with the Dog

As with everything, there are two sides to this. When done correctly, bathing and swimming can positively influence your dog’s health. It promotes muscle strengthening without stressing the musculoskeletal system as much as on land. Swimming is utilized, for example, in physiotherapy, where underwater treadmills or pools have found their way into animal therapy. Slowly built up, it also provides excellent cardiovascular training.

Engaging in water-related activities strengthens the bond between you and your furry friend and ensures suitable mental and physical stimulation, especially for water-loving companions.

Unfortunately, it can also have the opposite effect if not approached carefully.

As mentioned above, it can be very strenuous and can overwhelm your furry friend both physically and mentally. For short-nosed dogs or dogs with a lot of water-absorbing undercoat, even a short time in the water can lead to cardiovascular overload. And like humans, your dog should not jump into the water when overheated.

Have fun learning to swim!

Now I wish you and your dog a lot of fun in the upcoming swimming season. If you are true water enthusiasts, there are also other ways to indulge in this passion, such as dog diving, dummy training, or even getting involved in water rescue.

I must mention, unfortunately, that in many lakes, swimming for dogs is prohibited. At the sea, it is often allowed to take your four-legged friend to the beach outside the high season.

If your dog is not a good swimmer, or due to health problems or fears may not enjoy being in the water, you will surely find another activity that both entertains your dog and brings joy to both of you.

Our veterinarian authors want to remind you that their blogs do not replace veterinary advice. Despite all the exciting information, you should always clarify important health decisions individually for your pet and consult with your veterinarian. Therefore, we also do not assume any liability for any damages that may arise from the use of the information presented in this blog. This article does not claim to be complete. (2024)