Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Can All Dogs Swim?

I always thought all dogs could swim as I thought it was a natural instinct.  I remember when I was younger, my shih tzu fell into the river.  He’d never been in water before but he sure learned quick!

Anyway, today I read that not all dogs can swim.  In fact, one human family were trying to ‘encourage’ their dog to swim in a local pool during a special four legged friendly swim day and their dog simply sank and had to be rescued.

Apparently, some dogs do actually need to be taught.  You can do this at a local dog kennels where they often have special dog swimming pool facilities or you can find somewhere with calm, clean water on a warm day.  Preferably, there should be a sloping bank so you can go gently in.

If you go to a special pool, someone there will help the dog or you can often help yourself.  Encourage the dog to get in with you and support them underneath.  Support the dog gently until they get the hang of the ‘kicking legs’ thing and then gradually and gently let them go it alone.  At a pool, they often have special supportive equipment to support the dog (picture courtesy of NosetoTail.com).

Dog swimming pools aren’t just for fun.  They’re often used for thereapeutic benefits, such as when a dog is recovering from surgery or a broken limb to strengthen them without pressure.  If you have a good dog insurance policy, some will even cover the cost of ‘alternative treatments’ like these.