![\"Teach](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/teach-puppy-swim-700x467.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nNot all dogs are natural swimmers. But most can be taught to swim. Of course, it takes time and patience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article, I\u2019ll explain how to teach your puppy to swim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ll also set forth what safety measures must be taken and discuss what types of dogs are natural swimmers as well as those who aren\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Types of Dogs Are Natural Swimmers\u2013and What Types Aren\u2019t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Some dogs were bred to perform tasks in water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dogs such as Portuguese Water Dogs, Labrador retrievers<\/a>, Irish Water Spaniels, golden retrievers<\/a>, and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers were bred to retrieve waterfowl for hunters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So generally they take like a duck to water (pun intended). Their athletic shape and water-repellent coats help them perform their tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our guide and service dog puppies are usually either Labs, Goldens or a mix of the two<\/a>. So far, all we’ve had are natural swimmers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You’d think that they’d all naturally love water but the majority favored dry land.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The exception is our current black Lab, Elsa. We can’t keep her out of the pool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, many other breeds aren\u2019t natural swimmers.<\/p>\n\n\n Depending on their conformation, it\u2019s much more difficult for some breeds to swim. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs with broad, heavy chests and short legs usually find it more difficult to swim because of the weight distribution of their bodies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This includes Old English bulldogs, dachshunds, Bassett hounds, corgis, and French bulldogs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When I was a kid our neighbors had a Basset Hound named Dudley and a swimming pool. One day when we were playing in the pool, Dudley got so excited he jumped with us!<\/p>\n\n\n\n He shot to the bottom like a torpedo. My friend, David had to dive down and bring him back to the surface. Poor ole Dudley’s short legs and heavy build were not meant for swimming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Canines with short muzzles (brachycephalic breeds) also have a more difficult time and are more likely to drown than breeds with longer muzzles. This includes pugs, shih tzus, and Pekingese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course most dogs can be taught to swim enough for them to be safe if exposed to water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are some devices that are necessary to help keep your puppy safe when learning to swim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A well-fitted canine life jacket<\/a> can literally be a life saver. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even if a dog is a natural swimmer, this flotation device can keep him safe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs might not realize that a body of water has suddenly become deeper or that there\u2019s a current. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Or a dog can become tired and need the buoyancy that the vest provides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a puppy is first learning to swim, he usually naturally paddles only his front feet. He tries to reach the bottom of the water with his rear feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A life vest helps him stay afloat until his paddling reflex kicks in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In choosing a vest, look for the following components:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course you want your puppy to be safe. But it\u2019s also important that you\u2019re safe too. That’s why it’s important for the humans to wear a life jacket<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even savvy human swimmers need to be aware of risks in deeper areas of water\u2013especially when you\u2019re focusing on working with your puppy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have a six-foot leash waterproof leash<\/a> (a regular leash will work just as well) ready for when you first teach your puppy to be in the water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important that he gets used to having this attached to his safety vest because eventually you\u2019ll have a longline attached to it when he\u2019s ready and able to venture further away from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I believe in making sure that any dog\u2013and especially a puppy\u2013 is safe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Using a long-line allows the dog who\u2019s learning to swim do so safely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even for seasoned canine swimmers, a longline attached to a life jacket helps a dog not swim out too far. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It also helps prevent mishaps should there be a swift, unforeseen current or if the body of water is deeper than your canine expects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They even make longlines that are meant to be used in water<\/a> so that their makeup isn\u2019t compromised and they won\u2019t become moldy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When my golden retriever<\/a> Spencer swam in the bay, he wore a life vest with a longline attached for safety. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Granted, he was a natural swimmer, but he would run out chasing a waterproof ball that floated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He wouldn\u2019t think first about whether there was a current. He just wanted to have fun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So I did all I could to ensure his safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before even exposing your puppy to water, get him used to wearing his life vest. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Put it on him and give him treats. Play with a favorite toy while he wears it. Then remove it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Do this type of introduction to the vest for days until he associates wearing it with great things happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Always have him wear his vest with an attached leash or longline so that he\u2019s safe and becomes accustomed to wearing these pieces of equipment when he\u2019s becoming \u201caqua dog.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n You want your puppy to have a positive experience with water.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many puppies have already had negative experiences with water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your pup may already have had his first bath or been rinsed off from some yucky stuff he\u2019s rolled in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And he may not love seeing the sink or bathtub or hose because of those bad memories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, there are ways you can teach your puppy to tolerate\u2013and even like\u2013his baths<\/a>. But that\u2019s a subject for another time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So it\u2019s crucial that this new introduction to water be a positive one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You should choose an area where your puppy just gets his feet wet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This can be in a tub or sink if he doesn\u2019t already have a bad association with it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also use a doggie pool<\/a> with an inch of water in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your puppy\u2019s really new to being exposed to water or has already had a bad experience with it, you can start by praising and rewarding him when he even looks at the water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Then, praise and reward when he takes a step towards it. You can end the session there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You may need to repeat these steps during a few more training sessions until your puppy looks forward to being near the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n PRO-TRAINER TIP:<\/em><\/strong> Have a supply of great, <\/em>yummy treats<\/em><\/a> that your puppy can\u2019t resist ready as a reward.<\/em> They should be small, no larger than a pea. Always have your reward treats ready before giving your obedience cue.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t just pick him up and put him in it if possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alternatively, you could try to have your puppy target to your hand to move forward if you\u2019ve taught him that cue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Be calm, but highly praise your puppy as he enters as well as when his feet are wet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure that your body language is loose and your tone is happy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs can really read our body language and tone. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can even have him retrieve or play with a water-safe toy<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I recommend getting him to play with the toy on land first so that he enjoys it while in the water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep the session short: about five minutes at most. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Do this shallow session for at least a few days before increasing depth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Prior to increasing the water\u2019s depth, your puppy must be comfortable with the shallower depth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Still lure him in with a treat and have him move around naturally following you in the pool. <\/p>\n\n\n\n End each session on a happy note. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The sessions should be brief: no more than five minutes or so, depending on your pup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your puppy shouldn\u2019t be tired at the end of the session. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It may take a week or two until he\u2019s comfortable in deeper water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t rush the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When your puppy is in deep enough water and starts to paddle, support him underneath his belly with your arm. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This gives him confidence and incentive to paddle with his rear legs too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After teaching your puppy to have a positive association with water at home, you can take him to other places to learn to swim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But make sure to first check with your vet that your puppy\u2019s had a sufficient number of vaccinations<\/a> to venture into the great outdoors to swim. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And ask whether your vet believes that he\u2019s old enough to try swimming in different locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Taking your puppy to swim in new locations should be fun for him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This may be a swimming pool, a bay, the beach, a pond, or a lake. When deciding on your puppy\u2019s next exposure to water, make sure that: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lure him into the shallow area with a small tidbit of a yummy treat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Praise and reward even when he first gets his feet wet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the course of successive training sessions, you can have him enter and be lured into deeper water. Remain next to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lure your puppy with a treat out again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He should always learn how to exit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In a pool, start at the steps and show him where to exit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In other bodies of water, always start at an area with a gentle slope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even after the short swim session, your puppy will need to rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over subsequent swimming training sessions, teach him to swim in deeper water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Stay alongside him in a depth that\u2019s safe for you and in which you can stand comfortably. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Wear a life vest too for safety. Remember: you\u2019re your puppy\u2019s lifeguard. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Put your arm under your dog\u2019s belly to support him at first. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure that his rear is aligned with his head. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Go only at his pace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It may take many sessions until he\u2019s confident and able to be in water that is deeper than his height. Don\u2019t rush the process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When I taught my sheltie Duffy to swim, he was very hesitant at first. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We started with him getting used to water in a kiddie pool, then moved onto a swimming pool when he was ready. <\/p>\n\n\n\n My being by his side holding onto the handle of his life vest gave him confidence and helped him learn to paddle with his rear legs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Over time, he enjoyed it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t have access to your own or a friend\u2019s swimming pool, there are some other places that you can go to with your dog to teach him to swim. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some dog facilities have swimming pools for dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure that you are permitted in with him so that you can help train him and build his confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can even purchase a deeper kiddie pool to help him practice swimming where he can\u2019t touch the bottom when he\u2019s ready for that step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are additional steps you can take for your puppy to be successful and confident when learning to swim. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He needs to pay attention to you and come reliably to you when he\u2019s called<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And teach him to nose target to your hand so that you can help guide him to various places without yanking him around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on your puppy\u2019s age and endurance level, sessions should be no more than five to 10 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many considerations regarding whether it\u2019s safe to have your dog swim in addition to whether the water is clean enough or not too rough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They should, when added together, equal at least 100 degrees Fahrenheit<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If the water\u2019s too cold, your puppy can be susceptible to hypothermia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs can also suffer in the cold water swimmer\u2019s tail (aka limber tail syndrome or cold tail). <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a condition in which the tail drops and the puppy\u2019s unable to raise it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s dangerous because the puppy is likely to sink if this occurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s better to be safe than sorry. Puppies can\u2019t regulate their body temperature well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This can cause water toxicity. Vomiting after swimming is a sign that your pup has swallowed too much water and should be taken to the vet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t venture into bodies of water where there may be dangerous items or creatures, including: alligators, water snakes, snapping turtles, jellyfish, sting rays, or fish hooks with bait.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Yellow](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/09\/Archie-Pool.jpeg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nSafety Equipment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Dog Life Jacket <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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2. Human Life Jacket<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Leash<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Longline<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How To Teach Your Puppy To Swim Step-By-Step<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"Golden](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/puppy-swimming-700x525.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n1. Choose where to first expose your puppy to water<\/h3>\n\n\n
![\"black](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/Sachi-pool.jpg\")
2. After he\u2019s comfortable being near the water, lure him into the water with a small yummy treat<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. During successive sessions, increase the depth of the water slightly <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Physically support your puppy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Take it on the road<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
6. Safety considerations regarding bodies of water<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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7. Teach your puppy where the shallow area is<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. Teach your puppy how to exit the water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9. Have your puppy rest<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10. Teach your puppy to swim in deeper water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Helpful Tips for Success<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Water Safety Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Make sure that the water or air temperature aren\u2019t too cold. <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Seek veterinary help if your puppy jumps into water that\u2019s too cold, shivers, or isn\u2019t using his tail<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Make sure that your puppy doesn\u2019t ingest too much water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Beware of creepy creatures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Provide dog-friendly sun protection and sunscreen<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/teach-a-puppy-to-swim-700x1050.jpg\")
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