How to Teach A Dog To Swim

Many people think that dogs love water and will instinctively swim. Many can swim but do not do it well and waste a lot of energy. Many others are introduced the wrong way and are afraid of going in the water again.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a dog
• a floating toy for the dog
• other dogs who like to swim
• a harness for the dog
• a long FLOATING rope or leash that floats for the harness
• a body of water

1. put a well fitting harness on the dog

2. attach a long floating rope or leash to the harness

3. play fetch with the floating toy on the shore at first

4. When the dog is happily playing fetch then start throwing the toy closer to the water

5. Then throw it into the water at least five or six feet

6. Gradually increase the distance of the throw

7. If your dog is still reluctant to go after the toy get out the other dog who does love to swim

8. Continue to play with the fetch toy near the water and in the water until the dog is venturing into the water and swimming out to retrieve the toy

9. practice this until the dog is swimming easily without lots of splashing and thrashing

Tips & Warnings

• Dogs who fetch well will swim out more easily into the water to retrieve than dogs who do not play fetch
• Dogs who do not want to swim are more likely to want to swim when other dogs are playing the water and retrieving articles
• never throw a dog into the water
• do not swim young puppies for a long period of time who have a lot of puppy fur, they can easily become water logged
• check to make sure that the water you are swimming the dog in is safe: (the current is not too strong and the water is clear and clean
• Be prepared to go into the water yourself to retrieve the toy if other dogs won't do it or your dog that you are training won't do it

Resources

• Conditioning your dog
• Muddy dogs
• Newfoundland Dog

[fearlessfox]

on 7/25/2008 My dog won't "fetch", doesn't play well with others, and HATES the water!! Being a rescue, I missed the chance to teach her good things and don't know what taught her so much fear. This article didn't even help us. Good write though, for a "normal" dog or pup.

[SharonW]

on 11/20/2007 Thanks for a great article. This will help me teach our water phobic puppy to swim over our Aussie summer.

[showpup]

on 11/20/2007 I didn't realize you could teach a dog to swim and my dog's have their own pond. LOL Thanks for teaching me something new!
http://www.ironwoodkennel.com

[KonaGirl]

on 11/20/2007 I for one thought all dogs can swim. This was a real learning lesson for me.
http://www.squidoo.com/dogclickertraining/