Many dogs love the water. Did you know, you can turn your dog's love of water into something beneficial? Swimming can do wonders for our dogs!
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| Earl ventures into the sea! |
Did you know...
- Water breeds are, obviously, more likely to like water due to their breed. Many water breeds also have webbed feet to help them swim. Water breeds were bred to work in the water, therefore, just as a collie naturally wants to herd, water breeds naturally want to swim! But other breeds can also enjoy being in the water.
- A five minute swim is equivalent to a five mile run for a dog, which means it tires them out quicker, while still giving them the same amount of exercise.
- Swimming is the best exercise for dogs to build up their muscle and limb strength, thus the invention of hydrotherapy pools for dogs. Hydrotherapy is where, while wearing a lifejacket, your dog swims with a qualified hydrotherapist in a pool for the required amount of time. Hydrotherapy is popular with dogs who are recovering from injury.
'My dog dislikes swimming!'?
Some dogs, especially non-water breed dogs, can take a disliking to water, just as some humans can. Never force your dog into situations he feels uncomfortable in, however you can encourage your dog to swim using praise and water toys! Always make it fun if you aim to get your dog into swimming. Hydrotherapy can also build your dog's confidence in water, due to the constant human support and regular sessions.
Beware...
Have fun, but always be careful when taking your dog for a swim, for example, on walks. Never force your dog to swim out of his comfort zone, and watch for algae growing on ponds. If ingested, this could give your dog an upset stomach. Always make sure the swimming area is safe and hazard free before allowing your dog to swim. Also, make sure your dog is confident before letting him take the plunge.
We're joining our hosts SlimDoggy, To Dog With Love and My GBGV Life in the FitDog Friday Blog Hop. We send many thanks their way, and you can join in below.
Hi Y'all!
ReplyDeleteThat's beautiful clear water you're swimmin' in! Is that Ethel watchin' you?
Y'all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Devonshire beaches are amazing! Yes, Ethel's in the background!
DeleteBailie and I love to swim, but unfortunately, there aren't many places for dogs to swim around here. No dogs signs are abundant and late summer many smaller bodies of water have algae and we aren't going to go in there. Swimming is great exercise for humans and dogs. Swimming with your human is lots of fun too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a shame for you, but you're doing the right thing, steering clear of algae. Earl enjoyed wading into the sea whilst I was swimming!
DeleteI had a little paddle up at Chatters-A-Way House but anythingy over paw level is too much fur me...don't finks I'm up to swimming just yet butts, you nefer nose!
ReplyDeleteLoves and licky kisses
Princess Leah xxx
Earl was the same as you, until our recent holiday, where he decided he was up for it!
DeleteExcellent tips. Have to be careful about algae this time of year.
ReplyDeleteThanks. We agree about algae.
DeleteI was hoping Jack would be a typical water dog and love swimming, but he doesn't, so he just wades. Maggie however loves it! Go figure.
ReplyDeleteEarl only likes wading too. Before this summer, however, he wouldn't get a single paw wet!
DeleteGreat post! We're added 2 ponds to our property and our hope is that our dogs will dive in and swim. We have a small koi pond and Scout always jumps in there and his sister, Zoey, looks like she wants to, but never does. Sydney and Rodrigo just like getting wet up to their bellies, but they love the water.
ReplyDeleteI have friends who have a dog the same breed as Earl. They are so sweet and very athletic.
Wow, how fun! We hope the ponds are a doggy-success!
DeleteAw, Borders are so cool. We love the breed.
Swimmin in fun but I some times start chokin due to little legs so mum has to take me out.
ReplyDeleteRiley x
Aw, bless you Riley!
DeleteJust the same for humans, swimming is such a great low impact workout!
ReplyDeleteJust remember safety first! A life jacket is always a safe bet.
DeleteI enjoy swimming too, as a human!
DeleteLife jackets are good when in deep waters or around deep waters (in a boat), I agree.
Me and Stanley are good swimmers but mom puts our life vests on us most the time.
ReplyDeleteYour Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Life jackets are a good idea.
DeleteOur girl Missy loves the water & swimming in it, while her brother Buzz isn't too crazy about it, but he'll willingly go in and retrieve a ball or frisbee if it "happens" to land in there ;-) Unfortunately, there aren't too many swimming options for the pups at our current location in NC ~ we do have neighborhood pond, but it's not clean enough for the pups to swim in (I made that decision, the pups may disagree..).
ReplyDeleteFrisbees and balls are the greatest temptation! There aren't many swimming locations around us either; the closest, cleanest and safest swimming area is probably the sea at the closest beach!
DeleteMr. N can swim but he's not fond of it. It's a good thing he knows how though! He fell into a pond pretty recently.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, poor Mr N!
Delete2 of my huskies LOVE the water, my third one? Not so much!
ReplyDeleteღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
They're all different!
DeleteI would absolutely love to take the boys swimming, but we don't have anywhere they can take a dunk. ♥
ReplyDeleteNo, we're sparse on swimming locations around us, too. The nearest is our closest beach, e.g. the sea!
DeleteWhat a nice swimming spot!
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely beach!
DeleteI luv swimmin!!
ReplyDeleteYay for swimming!
DeleteI have to admit that I avoid water... specially when it is bigger than my drinking bowl.... therefore we visit the beach when the water is on the other side of the pond :o)
ReplyDeleteEarl and Ethel are more or less in the middle... never a 'yes' or 'no'...
Delete