Upon finding themselves in the water, dogs will at least try to swim🌊.
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But this in no way means that you should make them swim, especially if we’re talking about spending long time in the water.
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Even if your dog can swim, it doesn’t necessarily mean that he/she enjoys it 100% and that it’s completely safe to do.
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Some breeds are made to swim well: Labradors and Newfoundlands, for instance.
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But there are also breeds that are not so good when it comes to swimming: mainly short-legged dogs (Dachshunds, Busset hounds) and brachycephalic ones (those with short noses, such as bulldogs and pugs).
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But swimming might end up being close to mission impossible for any dog out there, regardless of the breed.
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Remember: you have to supervise your dog in the water and always be ready to come to the rescue if needed.
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Is it possible to teach a dog to swim?💦
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To an extent, yes, but it all depends on the dog’s characteristics and preferences.
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❎What you shouldn’t do under any circumstances is try to forcefully get your pup into the water. He/she can get scared and stressed.
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In the end, your dog might learn to be more afraid of water than ever before.
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Not all dogs like going in the water, even those who can swim. And if you have a Labrador, it doesn’t guarantee that he/she will enjoy swimming.
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Remember that you should never make your dog swim, but you can try to interest them in it.
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Start by walking on the bank of a body of water, pay attention to what you pup is doing. If he/she decided to put one paw in the water, make sure to actively praise him/her and give your dog a nice treat.
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Slowly, you can try to offer (but not force) your pet to go deeper and deeper in the water.
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Some dogs actively follow the example of other dogs or their owner.
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One of the best ways to teach your dog to swim is using a special lifejacket. It will help him/her to understand how to position the body properly in the water.
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Even (and especially) if your dog loves swimming, don’t ever leave him/her unsupervised in the water!
