How to Teach a Dog to Swim

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Categories: How Tos | Pets | Dogs

  • Most dogs are naturally inclined to swimming as an instinct, but that doesn't mean a dog will enjoy swimming or will be good at it. If you want to let your dog enjoy swimming with you, whether its in your pool or a river or lake when you go on vacation or camping, learning how to teach a dog to swim can be great fun for both you and your dog.

  • Safety Tips

    Never let a dog swim alone. He should clearly understand he is not to get in the pool by himself. Swimming is a lot of fun, but it's dangerous too, and when a dog is alone, there's no one to rescue him if he gets in trouble. Make sure he does know where the steps are, where the exit to the pool is, and always make sure his toys are removed from the pool when you stop swimming, to prevent him from jumping in to 'rescue' his toys.

    PetSmart, Petco and other fine pet supply retailers carry life vests and harness jackets for swimming for dogs. Using one of these might be wise, especially when swimming in larger bodies of water like rivers, lakes and the ocean. This can also help with training at home, so the dog knows that without the harness, he's not allowed in the pool.

  • Small Dogs Tip

    Smaller dogs are easier to teach to swim than bigger ones because you can always pick them up and carry them into the pool with you and then let them go. Usually, they will either swim right back to you or will swim to the edge and get out. You can't carry a larger dog into the pool, so the steps above are more for dogs too large to carry into the pool.

  • Introduction

    Often times the best way to do something is the simplest way, and this is true with teaching a dog to swim. There is a natural survival instinct a dog has that allows him to paddle (that's why they call it the dog paddle stroke when we swim) and get himself safely to the shore, or the deck of the pool, whatever the case might be.

    However, you don't want to frighten your dog and turn him against swimming if swimming for pleasure or sport is what you're after with your mutt. These steps in the guide below will help walk you through the process of teaching a dog to swim so he will enjoy it, and you will enjoy it too.

  • Step 1: Swim While Your Dog Watches

    If you're in the swimming pool, let your dog watch. Don't splash around a lot so that he thinks you're floundering, but rather use soothing and encouraging words that are punctuated with excitement so your dog knows you're having fun in the water. The more relaxed and calm and comfortable you are in the water, the more your dog will understand that swimming is a good and fun thing.

    You can pat the water and encourage your dog to jump into the pool with you while you are swimming, staying close to the edges where he is, so he feels secure. He might bark or attempt to touch the water with his snout of paws, and you should encourage that behavior. Try not to splash him until he's more comfortable with the water and you know he'll enjoy splash play. Splashing at these beginning stages can frighten a puppy from the pool.

  • Step 2: Show Your Dog the Exit

    Dogs are all about protection and safety, so be sure to show the dog where the steps are to the pool or where the shallow end of the river or lake is, so they will know where and how to get in and out if they need to quickly. Let your dog see you walking up and down the steps several times and encourage him to follow you.

  • Step 3: Coax Your Dog Into the Water

    If your dog hasn't already jumped into the pool by this point, and you can't entice him to follow you down the steps, try getting one of his favorite toys and take it into the pool with you. Toss it in the water and tell him to go get it. Take it into the pool with you and hold it up and holler for the dog to come and take it from you.

    Using familiar and favorite dog toys makes the dog feels safer. Once he sees that his favorite people are okay in the water and his favorite toy is okay in the water, he might realize he'll be okay in the water too.

  • Step 4: Maneuvering in the Water

    As mentioned earlier, most dogs will instinctively know how to swim. Once he is in the water, he'll likely start paddling around. If he doesn't, you can give him some pointers in steering and turning, mostly by using his tail as a rudder. Grab his tail and pull it gently one direction and the dog will go the other direction.

    It won't take long and your furry friend will be paddling around with a big doggy grin on his face, enjoying a cool dip in the pool on a hot summer's day or swimming in the lake when you're fishing on vacation.

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