Swimming is an excellent way to bond with our furry friends and entertain them during the summer. Dog owners visiting the beach or heading poolside may be anxious to let their pup join the fun, but it’s crucial to consider water safety first. Before letting Fido hop into the water on your next pool day, read these tips for safely taking your dog swimming.
Evaluate Your Pup’s Swimming Skills
Before bringing your furry friend along to your next swimming activity, consider their current swimming level. Not all dogs are natural swimmers, and some breeds are prone to difficulties. Ensure your pup’s first introduction to water is in a shallow and quiet area. You should always be in the water with your pup during these initial tests to ensure their safety and comfort.
If you slowly lower your dog into the pool, they may begin to instinctually paddle their front paws. Once Fido has these paddling motions down, you can gently lift their hind legs to the surface to encourage them to float. If your pup shows any signs of distress in the water, remove them immediately. The best way to encourage swimming is to create positive associations with water and teach Fido that they can get out of the water whenever they want.
Invest in a Dog Life Jacket
Dog life jackets are helpful for pups who are new to swimming, struggle to stay afloat, or tire quickly. Life jackets offer additional protection to even natural-born canine swimmers to keep them safe at all times. Life jackets also increase your pup’s visibility, which is especially helpful in murky waters. Test a new life jacket on dry land to ensure it remains secured and properly fits Fido around the neck and chest. Keep in mind that although life jackets are an excellent safety measure, they should never be a replacement for careful supervision.
Keeping Your Pool Dog-Friendly
If you have a pool in your backyard, it’s crucial to keep it dog-friendly. To prevent any accidents, put a fence around the pool to keep unsupervised dogs away. Pool owners should also invest in a sturdy pool cover that will keep their furry friends from falling in when the pool isn’t in use. Most importantly, teach your pup how to get out of the pool. If you have a ramp or stairs in the pool, ensure Fido is familiar with them and can confidently exit the pool without help.
A tired and thirsty dog may drink pool water during their swim, which can be harmful to their health. A small amount of chlorine ingestion is relatively harmless, but dog owners should watch out for excessive consumption. Ingesting chemically treated water in large amounts can negatively affect your pup’s gastrointestinal tract, so always keep a bowl of fresh water nearby to ensure they’re drinking enough dog-safe water.
How to Keep Fido Safe at a River or Lake
If you and Fido venture out to a river or lake together, you should take extra steps to ensure their safety. Natural bodies of water can be extremely deep, so dog owners should keep a life jacket on their dog at all times. Dogs can fall out of boats or kayaks at any time, so a securely fitted life jacket will give you peace of mind. If you bring your furry friend to a river or creek, check the strength of the current before letting Fido hop in. Even dogs who are strong swimmers shouldn’t be in water that is too strong or fast-moving.
Supervise Your Pup
No amount of precaution negates the necessity of supervising your pup anytime they’re in the water. Swimming is more physically strenuous than running, which means that it’s common for dogs to experience fatigue during or after their swim. Signs of fatigue to look for include heavy panting, trembling, struggling to stay afloat, and swimming slower than usual. Dogs who are having fun may not want to take a break, so it’s up to dog owners to carefully monitor their pups and remove them from the water when they’re tired. Regardless of your dog’s swimming level, you should never leave them unattended near a body of water.
Now that you’ve read through this list of tips, you should be prepared for a fun and safe day of swimming with Fido.
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