While many dogs love the water and jump into the cool water without a second thought, other four-legged friends are anything but enthusiastic about the wet element and only go into the lake up to their bellies. Then even the much-needed shower after the mud bath can become torture. All dogs can swim - actually! Find out here how you can get dogs used to water.
The way dogs deal with water varies from animal to animal. Some dogs love to swim, but at the same time avoid the smallest puddle by the side of the road. And so it can happen that the same four-legged friend who likes to jump into the lake avoids the shower like the devil avoids holy water, and even rain can be too wet for some dogs and prevent them from going outside.
Content: Getting dogs used to water
Can dogs swim?
Our beloved four-legged friends can swim - with varying degrees of talent, of course. Unlike humans, they don't have to learn the movements needed to swim - they just do it. Basically, they just keep running as if they were still on land. This movement is enough to keep them above water. Somedog breeds even have webbed feet between their "toes".
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But there are also dog breeds that do not swim very well for anatomical reasons. These include short-nosed dog breeds such as the Pug , Bulldog or Basset Hound .
Dog breeds that can swim well and enjoy doing so are of course those that were bred specifically for this purpose. Mostly for hunting, but also for rescue in the water. The following dog breeds are among the water rats among dogs:
How long can dogs swim?
This of course depends greatly on the individual fitness of your dog. There is no basic rule here, except that you should never overwhelm your dog, for example by swimming ahead and encouraging him to keep swimming. If your four-legged friend is free to decide, he will look for land as soon as he notices that it is too much. Then you should let him out of the water.
Getting your dog used to water
It is certainly one of the biggest challenges in dog training, but it is possible to turn a water-shy four-legged friend into a water rat. The magic word in this case is patience! Because it will take some time to convince him of the benefits of the cool water. Of course, the dog has to trust you completely and be sure that you won't do anything mischief to him. But then it is definitely possible.
A calm body of water is ideal for practicing. That means a calm river or lake rather than ocean waves or a raging torrent. The shallower the entry into the water, the better and easier it is for your four-legged friend. A somewhat remote part of the river with a shallow bank would be ideal. Here your dog can slowly get used to the increasingly deep water.
Now, of course, you need an incentive for the dog. There are various options here. One of the best is probably to simply go into the water yourself and gradually lure your four-legged friend into the water. You shouldn't pull him into the water on the leash. That would destroy all his trust in you. He has to come on his own, otherwise it won't work!
If you alone are not enough, which is very possible, then perhaps a family member or another dog who likes to swim can help. This is the best way for dogs to see that the water can't really harm them. There are also retrieving bags in which you can put treats or dog food. There is probably no better way to get a dog to jump into the water than bribing them with something tasty.
Simply throw the food bag into the water so that the dog has to swim, but gets to the destination quickly. So only throw a few meters to start with, otherwise your furry friend will be overwhelmed and you will have to get the bag yourself. There are also life jackets for dogs. This is particularly interesting for dogs that cannot swim well without help.
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Dogs are not allowed to swim everywhere
Even if you have reached your destination and your faithful four-legged friend even follows you into deeper water, it is still not permitted everywhere. In many places, swimming is prohibited for dogs, at least in summer during the bathing season. You can think what you like about that, but to avoid getting into trouble with other bathers or the public order office, it is better to find out about it. As a rule, however, there should be signs pointing out the ban.
But even if it is forbidden, there are still enough rivers or lakes where two-legged and four-legged friends can swim together. Some tourist areas even have special bathing areas for dogs. The fact that the water is the same 300 m away at the dog beach as it is at the beach for human visitors does not seem to be a problem here. There are even outdoor pools that open their doors to dogs for a day at the end of the season. Sometimes even in conjunction with a small event and fun competitions between the dogs, such as long jump into the water. The website Seen.de offers a good overview of bathing areas that dogs are also allowed to visit.
Beware of these mistakes
If your dog has successfully mastered swimming and has found a suitable place to swim, there are still a few dangers you should watch out for. Just like with us humans, it is incredibly important not to jump into cold water. This is especially true when your own body is completely warmed up by the sun. So exactly when it is most tempting to simply jump into the cold water, it is also the most dangerous. The sudden shock of cold can completely overwhelm our body and our dog and lead to cardiac arrest. Severe disabilities and death can be the result.
When in unfamiliar waters, you should always be cautious. This is especially true when jumping into unfamiliar water. There could be large rocks under the water surface that you and your dog cannot see from the shore. When you jump, this can cause a rather painful surprise and should be avoided. Just don't be so impetuous and act a little more carefully, then such things won't happen.
Watch out for underwater plants that your dog could get caught in. It's better to remove the collar because the dog could also get tangled up in it. If possible, then it's better to use a chest harness that you can use to pull the dog out in an emergency.
After bathing, your four-legged friend should shake himself off well and possibly dry himself by hand. Dry floppy ears particularly thoroughly, as there is an increased risk of infection. Tip: Tie the ears or the fur on them with your hair tie behind the head for a while with the other ear - like a ponytail. This will dry the ears more quickly, as more fresh air will get into them.
There are real dangers even for experienced swimmers and you should be aware of them:
- Panic situations due to unfamiliar surroundings
- Strong current
- A break-in on a frozen lake
- Older dogs with impaired vision and mobility
- Inexperienced young dogs
- Water edges that are not accessible to dogs, such as in a canal or at a harbor
Warning: Another danger is the not very well-known water poisoning . Yes, you read that correctly. The element of life can also cause serious illnesses. The dose makes the poison and dogs can swallow too much water when playing or swimming. This lowers the dog's salt balance and the excess water cannot be broken down quickly enough. One reason for this is that dogs do not sweat. The danger is that the excess water is deposited in the tissue and can lead to edema. This can lead to organ damage and is a pretty good reason to see the nearest vet immediately!
To prevent this, playing sessions in the water should never last longer than about ten minutes. This is especially true on hot summer days when dogs drink a lot of water even without the fun of swimming.
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Dogs in the sea
While too little salt is the problem with water poisoning, it is dangerous in sea water. Too much salt is poisonous and even life-threatening. So make sure your four-legged friend doesn't swallow too much of it. In addition, the paws should be cleaned with fresh water after a swim in the sea. A shower for the entire coat is also acceptable, as the salt is quite aggressive and should not be on the skin for longer than necessary.
Dogs can cool down without getting wet
If your four-legged friend doesn't dare go into the water despite all your efforts, this opportunity to cool off is unfortunately lost. On hot summer days, you'll have to look for other ways to combat the heat. Or better yet, avoid it.
One option is to plan walks during the cooler hours of the day, in the morning or evening. If you go for a run in the forest, it will be pleasantly cool. Incidentally, it is usually much cooler near streams or rivers, even without jumping in. For the midday heat, when dogs and humans would prefer to just rest in the shade, there are cooling mats for dogs. Dogs can simply stretch out on them and have a kind of floor air conditioning system.
Conclusion
It's not the end of the world if your dog doesn't become a water rat. Many dogs have grown old without swimming. However, there's no denying that swimming is healthy. It's probably the gentlest way to build muscle. This is particularly interesting for dogs with a few extra kilos. Just like running, all muscles are moved and trained when swimming. So it makes sense to take some time and teach your dog the benefits of swimming.
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