Most people assume that swimming comes naturally to dogs, however, not all of them are born with that instinct. Labradors, Retrievers, Water Spaniels, and the Portuguese Water Dog are bred for water activity and rescue so they’re likely to take to the water instantly. Of course, there could be some who don’t follow the norm because that’s the way life rolls at times. As a rule though, if you want a dog that loves to swim as much as you do, one of these breeds could be your best bet.
Of course, you aren’t limited to those breeds. Most dogs can learn to swim even if they don’t instinctively start to paddle about the pool as soon as they’re introduced to the water.
No matter what type of dog you have, tossing them into the deep end is no way to introduce them to swimming. Start out on the shallow end of the pool so your dog is standing in the water. Their natural curiosity is likely to lure them out a little farther and, then, a little farther still. It won’t be long until you know if they are natural swimmers or not.
A helping hand
Small dog breeds, such as the Chihuahua or the Maltese, can swim and are, likely, to get those little legs moving immediately. They could be off and swimming like a pro immediately, but make sure and keep your eye on them because their small size compared to the vastness of the water could overwhelm them. They could panic and begin to flounder. There’s also a chance that they will just keep going until they become too exhausted to stay afloat.
Doggie lifejackets provide you with peace of mind when your pet’s in the pool no matter what size they are.
If your dog has the ability to swim, but just can’t work up the nerve to take the plunge, you can help them move past their uncertainty. You just need to take things slowly. Step into the shallow end of the pool and encourage them to follow you. Hopefully, they’ll bound right in! If not, tossing a favorite toy in the pool could do the trick.
Reward your dog for each new benchmark they make—even if it’s no more than sticking a paw in the water and gingerly pulling back again. As he gets more comfortable, he’ll go a little farther. Hopefully, as soon as he realizes the joy of swimming, you’ll find him bounding past you to leap into the deep end when he knows it’s time to head for the pool.
It’s never a good idea to force your dog into the water. It’s not the end of the world if they don’t take to it. They’ll be just as happy hanging out poolside—we know humans like that, too, right?
Breeds that can’t swim
Boxers, Pugs, Basset Hounds, and Bulldogs aren’t aquatic by nature. They just aren’t built for swimming. Their large, boxy chests, short hind legs, and short muzzles or snouts can make it difficult for them to breathe. Even if your dog loves to swim—and many small dogs do—never leave them in the pool unattended. They should be constantly supervised in the water.
Investing in doggy life jackets and even a pool alarm can help you maintain supervision and retain peace of mind.
Safety first
You probably have an outside water source for your dog already, but we’re mentioning this anyway because it’s important. While a bit of pool water won’t hurt your pet, chlorine and pool chemicals aren’t intended for consumption. Your dog shouldn’t think of the pool as their personal water bowl.
If you have a saltwater pool, drinking too much of the water can cause problems as well. Consuming too much salt can lead to diarrhea or electrolyte imbalances. That can become life-threatening. The salt balance in swimming pools is far less than that of the ocean, so it would take a pretty large volume of water to cause that reaction. Still, it can happen so we want you to be aware.
We live in Florida, so you probably have this tip down pat, but if it’s too hot for you to walk around the pool without burning your feet—your dog’s paws are getting burned too. Even if they aren’t swimmers, if his family is in the pool, Champ is going to be nearby. They’d sacrifice burning the bottoms of their feet to be as close to you as possible. Man’s best friend deserves some slippers if that’s the case! He may walk awkwardly at first, but give him a bit of time and he’ll adapt.
If your family lives in the pool, keep an eye on your dog’s nails. While trotting around the tiles is a great way to keep their nails naturally trimmed, too much tile time can lead to overdoing it. Bleeding or other issues can occur.
Medical care
It’s a good idea to know doggy CPR so if an emergency arises you can jump into action. The Red Cross provides classes if you’d like to be certain you know how to handle the situation.
The possibility of heatstroke is another issue you need to be aware of if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Dogs don’t sweat as we do and they’re covered in fur—that alone can make for a miserable existence in this climate! Dogs can only sweat through their nose and the pads on the bottoms of their feet. They pant to compensate because it exchanges hot air for cool. If they can’t pant quickly enough to keep up the exchange, they can succumb to heatstroke.
Signs of heatstroke
Catching the signs of heat exhaustion can literally save your dog’s life because once heatstroke sets in things go from bad to worse quickly. The signs are subtle though. Watch for increased panting, lethargy, and failure to follow basic commands.
Signs that things have advanced to heatstroke are:
- Vigorous panting
- Dizziness or disorientation
- Dark red gums
- Tacky or dry mucous membranes
- Thick saliva
- Lying down and unwilling—or unable—to get up
- Collapse and/or loss of consciousness
If you suspect your dog is suffering from heat exhaustion or heatstroke, take immediate action! Early signs warrant getting them to a cool place and offering fresh water to drink. Contact your vet if you have any concerns to see what steps to take next.
Do not give your dog ice or ice water in an attempt to quicken the cooling process. Extreme cold can cause blood vessels to constrict. That prevents the body’s core from cooling and your dog’s internal temperature can continue to rise. If it reaches 106 degrees, you’re in danger of losing your pet.
If you think your dog has progressed to a heatstroke, head for emergency care as soon as you can get them in the car.
We hope you never need to take a trip like that, but knowing what to look for and ways to avoid heatstroke should lessen the chances that it could happen. Our pets are part of the family and knowing what to do if there is a swimming emergency provides peace of mind.
Enjoy your summer—it’s nearly here!