In the heat of summer, it can get far too hot to enjoy daily walks and jogs with your dog. Swimming can be a fun activity to enjoy with your dog, but this skill may not come naturally to him or her. In order to teach your dog to swim, you must first make sure he likes the water. If not, don’t force it. The training process will take time, so be patient and stay at a steady pace.
If your dog does is familiar with being in the water and enjoys it, excellent! Here is what you will need for your doggie swimming lessons:
- Dog life jacket
- Ear wraps to keep water out of the dog’s ears
- Target stick
- Pool steps or a ramp
- Tall targets for the ramp so your dog can see where to exit the pool
- Treats that can float in water
- Your dog’s favorite toy
You don’t need a pool to teach your dog to swim – you can do this at the beach or a lake – but we will use a pool as example.
Begin by placing the targets mentioned above by where the dog will exit the pool via ramp or steps. Make sure your pooch will be able to spot them from a distance. Stand inside the pool near the steps or ramp, and try to give the dog (who should be wearing the life jacket) a cue to get into the water. Confusion is normal during this part of the process! Some dogs may jump right in, but if yours doesn’t, don’t rush him. Definitely DO NOT throw the dog into the water; this will likely lower their desire to swim again, and more importantly, lower their trust in you.
Once you do get the dog onto the ramp or steps, start to throw treats into the water – only if your pool is chlorine- and chemical-free. You can also use your target stick for your dog to follow down the ramp or stairs. Do this for three to five minutes, then say “all done” and exit the pool, encouraging your dog to follow you. Start again where you left off.
When your dog has successfully entered the pool on cue, make sure he has the proper swimming form. It should look like he is running, with all four legs moving and his head comfortably above water. You may need to put your hands on the bottom of his back paws to get him to kick. Only have the dog swim in small increments at first so you don’t wear him out.
Of course, your dog needs to be able to get out of the pool as well. Have him swim a foot or two from the steps or ramp for a short amount of time, then show him how to turn back to the exit. Do this many times, increasing the distance from the steps.
No matter how comfortable your dog is swimming, you should still follow safety precautions:
- Don’t leave the dog unattended near the pool.
- Put a fence around the pool.
- Install an alarm system in the pool to sound if your dog falls in.
- If you are outside but unable to watch your dog closely, have him wear his life jacket.
Courtesy of Karen Pryor Clicker Training
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