Many people mistakenly think that dogs are meant to swim in water. However, this is far from the truth. While dogs will instinctively start to tread water if they fall into it, doing what’s known as the “doggy paddle” is much different from knowing how to swim. This is why it’s so important to properly introduce your dog to water and always keep dog safety tips in mind whenever you’re around water.
Obedience Training
Before you ever even take your dog anywhere near the water you should make sure that they have good obedience training. This is a very crucial step because any dog who won’t listen to you while they’re on land definitely isn’t going to listen to you when they’re in the water. Once you’ve conquered this step, you’ll feel better about taking your dog in a pool, lake, or even into the ocean.
Protecting Your dog when Taking him Swimming
You need to have a really good, tight bond with your dog. It’s also important for you to really know and understand their breed because there are some breeds that are simply better suited to be in the water than other breeds are. For instance, dogs who have a short snout aren’t meant to go swimming. These dogs are better off staying on dry land. They include breeds like the pug, the English bulldog, and even the Boston Terrier.
Once you’re sure your dog is meant to go swimming, make sure you heed these tips:
- Never throw your dog into any body of water.
- Don’t leave your dog unattended around any body of water. This is why the pool in your backyard should have a safety fence around it.
- When you have a pool in your backyard it’s important to show your dog how to get in and out of it by using the pool’s steps. This is something that you should practice with your dog until you’re sure he understands this, just in case he accidentally falls into your pool someday.
- Think about how tired you get after you swim for a while. Remember this feeling because when your dog is tired, he’s also more susceptible to drowning. This is why you should have your dog get out of the water and take occasional breaks.
- Buy your dog a life vest and yourself a CPR class. Erring on the side of caution is always a good thing.
- Never let your dog drink the water you’re swimming in. Not only do pools contain chlorine which can be deadly, lakes and rivers host parasites that can also cause harm. Instead, make sure you always have clean water available for your dog to drink when he gets thirsty.
For more dog safety tips like these, coupled with great veterinary care, make sure you reach out to the professionals at the Tampa Bay Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Care Center. Over the years they’ve helped many dogs live long, healthy lives. Your dog deserves to get this help too, so make sure you contact them today.
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