Teaching your dog how to Swim

Taking your dog swimming is an enjoyable way to have fun together, cool off and get a therapeutic workout. "Most dogs enjoy splashing around and cooling off in the water, and swimming is a fun way for pet owners to interact with their pets," says Keith Benson, president and chief operating officer of Triple Crown Dog Academy. Some dogs intrinsically know how to swim confidently, while others need a little positive encouragement and assistance.

Swimming has many benefits as a therapeutic activity that works nearly all of the muscles in your dog’s body. It is an excellent way to condition your canine athlete, whether it is for competitive dog sports, weight loss, physical therapy, or exercise. Swimming is a fun way to cool off during hot summertime months, and playing swimming games with your dog is a great way to enhance your relationship. Teaching your dog how to swim and how to safely enter and exit from pools is also an important part of general water safety.

Introducing your Dog to Water
The first time you take your dog swimming, gradually introduce him to the water to create a lasting positive association. Many owners make the mistake of tossing their dog in the water with a sink or swim approach. While natural born swimmers take to this approach like ducks to water, many dogs do not and can develop a fear around water. In addition, tail-less dogs sometimes take longer to figure out how to maneuver in the water, as though they are missing the rudder that helps them steer.

You will first want to get your dog accustomed to having his feet and legs submerged. You can use a small children’s pool, the shallow end steps in your pool, or the first few feet of a sloping bank at a lake or the ocean. With your dog on a short leash or flexi lead, approach the water. When your dog gets his feet wet, reward him with food treats, petting, praise, or his favorite toy. If your dog hits the brakes and refuses to come forward, you may need to gradually lure him in and reward him for each progressive step into the water. You can also lift him up and gently place him in the water and then reward him for sitting or standing quietly in the water. Next, take your dog out of the water and enter it again. (Note: If your dog is hesitant, you may only get to this introductory step during the first session.) If your dog gets right in the water and starts swimming on his own, call out your encouragement and reward him. However, don’t let your dog swim for too long or get too far away from you on the first session. You want to manage the environment to be certain that a positive association is built.

The next step is to encourage your dog further into the water to the point where his feet are no longer touching the ground. This is usually the most critical step where some dogs need help and confidence figuring out how to swim by paddling their hind feet as well as their front feet. (Yes, some dogs forget that they have hind legs and will just paddle their front feet.) Lakes are often easier than pools for dogs to get used to as they normally have a gradual slope in depth, where pools typically have a sudden depth change, causing your dog to go from walking to swimming without transition.

If your dog is strongly motivated by toys, use a toy to lure him into the water. When he gets fully in the water, allow him to catch the toy and then return to the exit. Start with only short swims until your dog has built up strength- you don’t want to overtire your dog at the very beginning.

If your dog needs help getting into the water, get in with him or stand ready to give directional guidance from the outside of the pool. Being in the water with your dog will help motivate him to get in. First encourage your dog to walk into the water at your side, or step in front of him and encourage him to come towards you. If your dog will not step into the water, pick him up and gently place him in the water. Back up while encouraging your dog to come towards you. You may need to help guide him using voice or leash encouragement. Try to stay in front of your dog so you can act like a target that he can swim to, but use caution and maneuver so your dog does not try to climb up on you and leave an uncomfortable scratch. Take your time and go slowly- swimming is hard work and you do not want to overtire your dog or push him to fast.

Some dogs may need you to move to their side where you can help support their hindquarters with a hand under the belly near the back. Help support the hindquarters when you notice the hind end sink. (After several sessions your dog will learn how to use his legs to keep his hind end afloat.) Keep your legs out of the way of paddling paws and help point your dog in an open water direction. Try not to pull sideways on the leash when guiding your dog as it can cause him to lean sideways and lose his balance and equilibrium. Instead, use the leash to guide your dog in a forward and sidewise motion or manipulate his body and then give him as much freedom as possible. Managing your leash will be important so that you or your dog don’t have interference from the line. A retractable lead can be helpful because it retracts when needed.

Some dogs may paddle and splash fiercely when they are first learning how to swim. This is normal and will soon be worked out as your dog learns to effectively propel himself through the water. Continue encouraging your dog to swim and maintain a forward moving direction (turning is more difficult and takes more skill). Once your dog settles in and is not splashing as fiercely, encourage him to follow you towards an exit. Exiting the pool will serve as a reward for a good first effort swim. Swimming is hard work, so keep your initial sessions short and do not overtire your dog. Sit in the water with your dog afterwards and praise him for a job well done.

When your dog starts to try to climb out of the pool by going up the side, redirect him to the open water. When he settles in and starts paddling again, direct him towards an exit point. Encourage your dog to swim in a diagonal path across the pool so he will have more time in open water and be less likely to get preoccupied with the side of the pool. You can also maneuver your dog to the middle of the pool.