Teaching your dog to swim

This summer are you going to the sea with your dog? Have you chosen a holiday destination close to a lake or a river so that you can spend a holiday by the water with your dog? Whatever your activity schedule with your dog, make sure he knows how to swim before you jump into the water. And, yes, contrary to what you might think, not all dogs can swim naturally! To avoid any danger of drowning, do not embark your dog in a nautical activity such as canoeing, cani-paddle or even aboard a simple pedal boat if your dog cannot swim. 

Does your dog not know how to swim? He is still very young and has not learned yet? You do not live near a water point and he has not yet had the opportunity to taste the joys of swimming? I explain how to teach your dog to swim in this article. 

Before teaching your dog to swim, it is essential to follow these few rules so that your dog feels comfortable in the water.

First, if he categorically refuses to set foot in the water: do not force him under any circumstances!! You risk causing the opposite effect, traumatizing him and disgusting him with water for life! And then there, you can definitely say goodbye session of canoeing with your dog, cani-paddle session and other water activities with your dog. Pushing a child who is afraid of water into a swimming pool will NEVER teach him to swim!!! It's the same for your dog. You have to go through a real apprenticeship and a gradual habituation.

Let him discover the water: the sensations of wet paws, noises, splashes... Accompany him gently in his discovery. Play with him at the water's edge. Show him that it can be a lot of fun. And if he's not in the mood, let him be. Don't rush him.

Musher is a labrador ! As a good representative of her race, on the first walk, she jumped and waded in all the puddles on the way. I said to myself “banco, she loves water. It’s up to us to go canoeing or paddleboarding”. I could already see myself doing sessions of water rescue with her. Putting on my red Pamela Anderson version swimsuit (well, Pamela's fan version of fries…) and running on the beach to rescue swimmers in distress on the beach with my dog. Except, not at all… Despite my requests, she didn't put her legs in the water if it was higher than her belly… I let her. Everyone has their own thing, as they say… And then, one day, when she was 9 months old, she took the plunge; Finally she jumped into the water! It was February, it was 8°C and she set off in pursuit of a duck in a pond… I said to myself “here, my daughter, if your dog does not come back, you have to put you in your underpants and throw you in the water… “I was both moved and freaked out… And since that day, she's been a real mermaid. My dog ​​bathes all year round in all weathers. She loooooves it! And I'm good for dry my dog ​​after every walk.

All that to say, that with a little patience, your dog might just click! I did not need to teach my dog ​​to swim. She instinctively knew how to manage.

This is the second important point to address before moving on to concrete advice for teaching your dog to swim. Not all dogs are swimming champions and for good reason, they are not really made for that... The Labrador has webbed paws and an undercoat that serves as a real combination, which makes it an excellent swimming dog. water. By the way, this breed was created for the waterfowl fetch. 

But some breeds are not well equipped for water sports. This is particularly the case of breeds of dog with a crushed nose such as the bulldog, those for whom it is also dangerous to take the plane. Dogs with health concerns or senior dogs may also experience some difficulty in the water. 

Here we are ! Your dog seems ready, he is in great shape but does not dare to start and swim yet? Give it a little push!

Before putting on your bathing suit – and yes, you're going to have to get a little wet! You have to be there to secure him if the session ever goes wrong. So it goes without saying that you must know how to swim and be very comfortable in the water...

So I'm back… before putting on your bathing suit, check that the area is quiet: no currents, no waves, no dangers… Check that the bathing area is authorized for dogs. Remember to take a look at the water quality and the cyanobacteria, the first session should not turn into a drama.

Move away from the edge and encourage him to join you. You are his model and he trusts you, he will want to follow you. Be reassuring and calm, if you are panicked, he will be too and it will be counterproductive for everyone! Your attitude is fundamental. So sweetness, calm, encouragement and everything will be fine.

As soon as your dog loses his footing, two things can happen: he swims like a fish in water and immediately finds the right movement or else... If your dog frantically taps his front paws in the water while his hind legs are leaking, he needs to take some swimming lessons. 😉 So enter the water with him and support his belly with your hands. Help him find the right position. Don't panic and if he doesn't find the right position right away, come back to where he is and praise him. And try the experience again.

It is essential that he quickly understands the “way off”. Knowing how to get out of the water and back to dry land will help him be more confident. Show him how to get out of the water: the shore, the pool stairs, the beach...

For added security, have him wear a dog life jacket. This essential accessory for canoeing with your dog or paddle with your dog, will allow him to naturally find the right position to swim. It will bring him buoyancy and stability. What is also practical is that you can attach your lanyard to it to always keep your dog close at hand.

There are many dog ​​life jackets out there. To choose yours, I advise you to read or reread our dog life jacket comparison. You will find all our advice for choosing the best equipment for your dog. Among the top 3 life jackets, there is the Kurgo life jacket, the Ruffwear K9 Float Coat & the Morin life jacket.

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Before starting the “baby dog ​​swimmer” discovery session, check that the water is not too cold. It would be a shame to come home with gastric problems... Make a short first session, take your time and always be ready to intervene if your dog panics. Keep calm and encourage him. Your future nautical activities depend on these first sessions! So we encourage and we reward!

One last piece of advice, after each swim, remember to dry your dog to prevent him from catching cold: micro fiber towel, absorbent mat, kicker… If the learning session took place at sea, rinsing is compulsory!! And besides, for a successful sea trip, consider reading or re-reading all the precautions to take when going to the sea with your dog, in order to avoid bad surprises…

And now your dog can swim? Is he ready for a paddle or canoe session? Discover the top 5 rivers to canoe down with your dog and go on an adventure together. Don't forget to share your souvenir photos with us. #takeondog on Social media coordinator ! I can't wait to see your baby dog ​​swimmers!