Doggone Etiquette —

Sink Or Swim

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:           

You are still a youngster, but have you been taught to swim yet? No? Oh-oh, someone pushed you into the pool and now you’re trying to convince your VIPeople that water is only for drinking. I bet you even fight tooth and nail when they try to wash the mud off your feet. That’s perfectly logical, and you are not alone. Dogs are very intelligent when it comes to Mother Nature’s raw elements like thunder, lightning and even water, but swimming can be a lot of fun, so let’s see what we can do to change your mind about water.

A Word to the Dog’s Owner:            

They can’t swim backstroke, sidestroke or breaststroke, but dogs do have their own instinctive way to navigate through water. We even named it “dog paddling” in their honor, so it’s not the swimming itself that can cause a dog to be terrified of water. However, the way in which the dog is introduced to it certainly can have a lasting effect.        

Dogs are not only innately curious, but especially as puppies, are keen to imitate what they see other dogs doing. It’s not always possible to pull off, but the best possible introduction is for your dog to see other dogs enjoying the water in a pond, lake or stream where he can step in and just get his feet wet.  All you have to do is keep him safe on a long lead and let him satisfy his curiosity before rushing back to the safety of land! Next he’ll probably try wading a short distance into the water, still with four feet on terra firma. Don’t lure him to go deeper. Stay nearby and when he’s ready, he’ll try paddling.

That’s all well and good if you have access to such a set-up. If a swimming pool is where Rufus must learn to swim, then regardless of his age, safety is your first, foremost and constant concern. A puppy or small dog can be started off in a wading pool with toys or not-too-rambunctious children to stir up that curiosity. When all signs of “aqua phobia” have vanished, start off at the shallow end of the swimming pool, supporting him with both hands beneath his chest. If you are unsure of yourself in this venture, put Rufus in a life jacket. Move him about for a few minutes until he just begins to paddle, and then put him on dry land for a good water shake-off. That’s the end of Lesson No. 1.

The last thing you want to do is frighten him the first few times he’s in deeper water with his feet off the ground. Let him learn through several brief, but fun, experiences. Keep telling him what a clever dog he is. The security of your hands will help the dog get over any natural fear, so don’t rush the lessons!                  

Be sure to plan, and then teach the dog, exactly where and how he will be able to get safely OUT of the pool – by himself – at all times. Our four-legged friends are not built to climb ladders, so a secure ramp is best. Rufus will figure out for himself how to get IN the pool, so decide where Rufus will be safe and secure when you do NOT want him in or even around the pool. That means at all times when no one is in the water or at poolside to watch him. Never leave young children in charge of the dog in or around the pool. 

The kids are having their own fun and can too easily forget to watch the dog. Plus, the normal screaming, shouting, splashing of the kids can be too much fun for Rufus to maintain a distant “sit-stay.”  Each of these rules is for all the Canine Olympic swimmers, not just Puppy Beginners!  

Once the dog catches on to the joys of swimming, no doubt your job will be when to keep him safely out of it! But don’t be surprised if your dog (even one of the water-loving breeds) says “No, thank you.  I’ll stay on land.” Not all dogs enjoy water sports, and even those that do may show you which they like best – natural fresh water, purified pool water, or the rolling ocean waves! 

Until next time – BE GOOD!

-  Bardi