Doggone Etiquette —

Swimmingly!

By Bardi McLennan

A Word to the Dog:

You are a lucky dog if you get to swim when the days are long and warm. Of course, there are a lot of rules and regulations when it comes to water safety. If they haven’t already, your VIPeople will teach you the “ins and outs” of having fun in the water. Pay close attention because those are the first things you need to learn – how to get into the water, and how and where to get out. There’s a lot to remember, but getting out of a pool is the most important one for you never, ever to forget. As for swimming, that’s usually easy for dogs. So is splashing around having fun with your people! But be sure you do it their way. 

A Word with the Dog’s Owner:

There are a few dogs that truly dislike the whole idea of being in water and if yours is one of them, don’t push it. They may object strenuously to being groomed and shampooed, and this idea of yours that swimming is fun just doesn’t hold water! On the other side of the problem are the dogs that won’t stay out of water, be it a puddle, swamp, pond, or pool. Those are the dogs that need good training and your watchful eye, especially if you have a swimming pool.

Rule No. 1 is to teach Rufus that he only goes into the water on your invitation. Make the boundary line sufficiently away from the pool’s edge that he can’t claim he simply fell in. Then teach him exactly, precisely how and where he is to enter the pool. And at that, only when a suitable person (not a 5-year-old with a Golden Retriever) is there to help the instant it is needed. The dog must have an easy, reliable means of getting out of the pool and be taught how and where that is. All of this teaching is for the safety of everyone, not just the dog. Leave no room for argument!

Here’s a problem that came up last year. What do you do if the dog paws at you while swimming and playing in the pool and you get badly scratched? This required a bit of thinking because rain booties, or winter ones, didn’t seem to be a good solution for the dog. He might sink! The best way to solve the problem would be to keep the dog’s nails very short, and filed rather than cut so the ends are smooth. A battery-operated nail trimmer will make the job easy for you, or brief visits to the groomer. If chemicals in the pool or bacteria in a pond cause the dog’s skin to be irritated, hose him down after a swim. A shampoo may help if the problem persists, and a visit with the vet if it gets worse. Keep up the flea and tick repellant.

As for the first-time swimmer, you could keep a hand under the dog’s chest for a few yards until he takes over with what should come naturally. We call it “dog paddling” but most dogs think of it as “walking in water.” Gradually lower your hand so he’s on his own, but don’t rush it. In fact, don’t be surprised if he takes off like an Olympic champion! No matter how easy Rufus makes it look, it is very strenuous exercise, especially in the beginning. Just be certain he knows – without any hesitation – how to get himself out of the water.

Towel him down, offer a treat and (oddly enough) a drink of water. A place in the shade to relax, perhaps to dream of his next aqua-venture is all that’s needed to end a swimmingly good day.

Until next time – BE GOOD!

- Bardi

Bardi McLennan bred, trained and showed Welsh Terriers for 30 years, during which time she wrote a monthly column on canine behavior in Dog Fancy Magazine. In addition to contributing to numerous dog publications, she has written 15 books on dogs, the latest being Rescue Me!, which received the ASPCA Humane Issues Award in 2008.