How to Teach Your Dog to Swim Safely: A Vet's Guide

Start with an empty pool

To begin, we aren't even going to use water. Instead you'll need a kiddie pool or dog pool, treats, toys and your pooch! Get your dog used to being inside the empty pool and associate the object with positive thoughts by praising them, giving them treats and playing with them while in the pool.

Once your dog is happily settled in the pool, practice getting in and out of the pool on command. Use treats to reinforce the commands when they successfully step in and out of the pool. Once they have mastered this, you are ready to move to phase two!

NOTE: During training, limit each session to 3-5 minutes to prevent your dog from getting too fatigued or bored.

Add Water to the Pool

• Fill the pool with approximately 10 centimetres of water. If it's a cool day, consider adding some warm water to ensure your dog doesn't get too cold.
• Direct your dog into the water using the commands you have previously practiced. You may need to use a treat or a toy to entice them in at first.
• Toss floating treats, such as Lamb Puffs, into the water so your dog gets used to getting their snout wet.
• A paste on a spoon such as natural peanut butter or Kong Easy Treat Paste, is also a great option to tempt them into the water.

Gradually increase the depth

• Once your dog is readily jumping in and out of the pool on command and happily fetching treats or toys, you can add more water.
• Add the water in 5-10 centimetre increments and repeat the same positive exercises at each new level.

Moving to the big pool

• After your dog has reached the capacity of the kiddie pool, it's time to move on to a larger pool.
• Swimming pools are suitable, but avoid going straight to the beach or other bodies of water that may have strong currents.
• Be mindful of chlorine; it's best to put the treats away and use your dog's water toys as the incentive instead.
• Wear your swimming gear, as you'll most likely be getting in the water with your dog!
• Use the same command to ask your dog to jump or walk into the water as you did with the kiddie pool. Tossing your dog's toy into the water can give them a target.
• Alternatively, you can get in the pool first and hold out a toy to encourage them to follow.
• When your dog jumps into the water, immediately direct them back to the steps or ramp so they learn how to exit the pool safely.
• You can repeat this process a couple of times, depending on your dog's enthusiasm, before finishing the training session.

Dog Swim Vests

A doggy life jacket is a great tool while learning to swim as it allows you to easily manipulate your dog's direction and is their support as they learn how to use their paws in water.