Here's How You Can Teach Your Puppies How To Swim!

Swimming is a great skill to teach your puppies. It’s good exercise and it’s a good survival skill. Here’s how to go about it.

Start Small

Start with a kiddie pool and fill it with a little bit of water – just enough to cover the lowest joint in the front leg of your puppy. Slowly build the volume of water up every day or so.

Know Your Dog

There are some dog breeds that are simply better at swimming, but others need constant supervision. Bulldogs and pugs especially shouldn’t be left alone in water. If your puppy, no matter what breed, shows signs of fear in water, stop for the day.

Get Involved

Jump into the pool yourself! This can entice your dog to join in the fun and encourage them to try it out.

Make It Fun

Use toys, treats, praise, and affection to show your dog that swimming can be fun.

Use An Example

Know another similarly aged dog that can already swim? Invite them over and have them show your puppy the ropes. This will help your dog feel more confident and follow in their footsteps.

Don’t Forget The Life Vest

All beginner swimmer dogs should start with a life vest, no matter how well they seem to be able to take to the water. Some dogs may also need to wear a life vest when swimming, always.

Feature Image Source: Pixabay