Swimming with your dog

Swimming is a great, fun, activity for both you and your dogs, but you should always be careful where you swim and that the water is safe for both you and your dog. Salt water isn’t the best for dogs, look for a fresh water option without currents, free from blue green algae and with an easy entry and exit to the water. When trying anything for the first time always take it steady and keep it fun.....please remember not all dogs can and want to swim.
It is a common myth that all dogs can swim. While most can, dogs with short legs struggle to move quick enough to stay afloat and dogs with a low body fat percentage have a greater chance of sinking when they swim. So we would highly recommend a dog life jacket, some of our really proficient swimmers still wear a buoyancy aid.

Getting Started 
Firstly get that wetsuit on and play with your dog in shallow water. We use toys, treats and balls and gradually throw the ball further until they are swimming, but we are always nearby to help. If the water is very cold, your dog won’t be keen to get wet and if it’s really warm and your dog has been running around, then ease them into the water gradually for their core temperature to adjust.
Swimming is very exhausting for a dog so keep training short and fun (3 - 5 mins) is perfect. It has been quoted that swimming for 10 minutes is the equivalent of running 3 miles for a dog.
If your dog is swimming correctly they will be using all 4 paws. If not, then you may need to support them under the tummy, or back legs until they get more practised with the movement. Some dogs tend to just use their front legs so their bottom sinks, these will need a helping hand to get the right actions, but be warned sometime these types of dog swimmers would rather cling on to you than learn to swim and can jump on humans, always make sure you can stand up easily. Flotation jackets are brilliant in these situations. We would also always advise a wetsuit as dogs can claw when first learning to swim.

Safety First
Dogs can get hypothermia, but won’t realise it’s the water thats making them cold, so swim sessions in colder weather should be very brief. 
Once out offer your dog water and the chance to calm down. We like to hose ours off (get rid of anything lurking in the water) and then towel dry, always be sure to dry their ears as moisture in the ears can cause several nasty ear infections. We do a tick check later as these can often be found near bodies of water. 
We swim with some of ours in harness, but that is because they are unreliable off lead. If you swim with a harness and line, then make sure the water is clear from debris so there is nothing to snag the harness and line on. 
Above all keep it fun, safe and not too long. As with anything to do with water, common sense and caution are always advisable, but done correctly and safely it can be a great form of exercise for your dog.