Can all dogs swim? While a lot of dogs have the ability to paddle in water, not all dogs can swim proficiently. There are, of course, dogs that take to the water like ducks and enjoy splashing around, but there also those who feel scared and do not know how to stay afloat.
But don’t worry – all dogs can learn to swim. In this article, we will explore how to teach your dog how to swim – and if you should!
Should I Teach My Dog To Swim?
This is a very good question – and one you should think about both for your dog’s safety and for the benefit of your soft furnishings!
Your first instinct is probably ‘yes’ – but a canine water baby who has learned that water is fabulous fun, can get into all kinds of trouble by throwing themselves joyfully into any body of water they find – whether boggy, unhealthy or dangerous. And do you want to dry off a canine bog-pig after every walk (or have them leap on the sofa while covered in wet mud)?
However, if you already have a dog who wants to leap in every muddy puddle, throw themselves in rivers, and plunge into the waves, then being able to swim is going to be the safest thing for them.
Just like people, all dogs are individuals. The ones whose breed/type were developed as water dogs, or to leap into lakes as part of their original job, need this outlet to keep them happy (although they tend to be the natural swimmers anyway). This is a great way to give them exercise, to give them an outlet for their natural hard-wired swimming behaviours and a good way to have fun.
Others have no interest in the water or may even be scared or wary of it. Forcing them to swim just because you want them to will just cause stress and anxiety.
Some breeds/types – especially the brachycephalic breeds – really struggle to swim as they have to hold their heads so high to be able to breathe and their body shape means they have to use extra effort to keep afloat.
If you live somewhere you are worried they could accidentally fall into water, then it is worth them knowing how for safety, but even then, management is important here too as panic can often override canine swimming lessons.
If you have decided your dog will enjoy swimming, they are a breed/type that can swim safely, and you actively want your dog to swim and are happy to manage a canine water baby, read on!
At what age should I teach a puppy to swim?
If you take a lot of walks around lakes or spend time at the beach, or have a swimming pool or pond in your garden, you may want to start introducing your dog to water early.
This isn’t a case of heading out to the local pond however! Start shallow and slow.
Some breeders even do this as part of their puppies’ habituation by having a saucepan or a large shallow container of water in the puppy pen (or a paddling pool in the garden) so they can get used to getting their paws wet and splashing around.
You can do this as well from as soon as they come home with you – and this will give you a good idea if they are going to enjoy playing around in the water or if they’d far rather keep their paws dry. Whatever their choice, don’t force them as you’re more likely to convince them that water is scary. You can encourage them with toys, or by watching an adult dog having fun, but let them decide when the time is right for a paddle!
Once they are enjoying playing in water and have discovered that there is nothing to fear, you can start to think about swimming lessons.
Where do I teach my dog to swim?
There are a number of places recommended as teaching sites when considering how to teach your dog how to swim.
Small inflatable pools in your garden are great if you’re teaching a puppy or dog to be confident paddling but you’re going to need something deeper when it comes to actual swimming.
Unless you have your own swimming pool – and even if you have – finding a local hydrotherapy pool is often the best way to introduce your dog to the joys of swimming.
They have staff that are experienced in introducing puppies and dogs to water, they have floatation devices to help support your dog while they get the hang of it and to keep them feeling safe, and you know the water is clean, healthy (free of dangerous chemicals or algae etc) and appropriately pH balanced (which is different for dogs than for humans).
They will be able to take your dog from paddling novice to being able to swim without a life jacket in a few safe, simple sessions.
If you chose to use your own pool at home, check the chemicals you are using to keep it clean, make sure you have ramp entry and exit, and let every step be at your dog’s own speed – you don’t want to scare them as this may well put them off water for life. Many of the traditional water loving breeds need no encouragement here! Often having another dog that your dog knows and plays with regularly to show them the joys of swimming can be the more helpful thing for more reluctant swimmers.
Ponds or lakes are not good sites for teaching your dog how to swim – unless you can go in with your dog and stay beside them, they aren’t tidal or fast flowing, and you can be sure they do not contain blue/green algae which can cause life-threatening illness in your dog. If you do choose to teach your dog to swim here, make sure the water deepens gradually, the bottom of the lake is solid and not boggy, and never leave your dog alone in the water, even for a moment. Always be prepared with safety equipment (see the information on safety first below).
Do not pick a natural body of water that has a strong current or powerful waves. This can be very dangerous and would scare your dog. Remember, if there are signs saying the lake isn’t safe for humans to swim, it also won’t be safe for your dog.
If you live by the seaside, this can be a great way to teach your dog to swim, as they can play in shallow rock pools, paddle in the waves and decide when or if they want to go deeper themselves over successive walks. Make sure it is a calm day, with no/small lapping waves and in an area that is not tidal (and not when the tide is going out). Remember to wash the salt off your dog when they come out or when you get them back home as this can irritate the skin.
Do check on the pollution levels in the area however as an increasing number of seaside spots are no longer safe to swim. This goes for rivers too.
Safety first
An important part of teaching your dog how to swim is keeping their safety in mind.
Never venture so far into the water that your feet cannot touch the ground. Your dog may try and use you as support by climbing onto you. If you are swimming in deep water as well, this could push you under.
If you plan to swim regularly with your dog, it can be worth getting a wetsuit. This means you won’t get scratched by claws if your dog decides to throw themselves on you as part of the fun of swimming!
For extra security, you can use a flotation vest to support your dog. Make sure it fits your dog properly and put it on your pet before they enter the water. This way, they won't be doing all the work of staying afloat.
Swimming and dog breeds
While all dogs can in theory swim, it is not an easy activity for all breeds. Bulldogs and all brachycephalic breeds often have short legs and flat faces which makes swimming harder and more tiring for them. They also do not have long necks, which makes putting their head out of the water difficult.
Labrador Retrievers, on the other hand, love water and will often jump into pools and swim with delight. For such breeds, swimming is an excellent exercise and a fun way for them to stay fit.
Dogs like Newfoundlands love to swim more than almost anything else, and owners should be prepared to indulge this and maybe even enrol them as lifesavers if they live near water sports areas or the beach.
If your dog seems hesitant about entering the water, take time to make them comfortable and let them take it at their own pace. They might never be a water baby – no matter how much you would like them to be.
For more advice around training a dog and managing its behaviour check out our dog behaviour & training hub.
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