Dog Swimming Lessons:

Why You Should Leave It

to the Pros

Dolphin Pools & Spas

4678 South Highland Dr. Salt Lake City, UT 84117

(801) 277-8700

Swimming can improve mobility in dogs, a study conducted by the Hatpury University

Centre says. The research attached reflective markers on dogs, to evaluate changes in

their mobility before and after swimming. After hydrotherapy, the researchers

discovered an increase in stride frequency and length as well as range of motion in dogs

with dysplasia. Additionally, researchers discovered that swimming also significantly

helped reduce the dogs’ joint pain.

The study supports a 2004 study that discovered how swimming improved the mobility,

lameness, and weight bearing of dogs with osteoarthritis.

Can All Dogs Swim?

There are canines that inherently know how to swim, those you can teach how to, and

those that should stay away from any aqueous environment.

Golden retrievers, standard poodles, Newfoundlands, as well as English and Irish

setters, are all excellent swimmers. Dogs with “water” in their name, such as the Irish

water spaniel and the Spanish water dog, are also a given. These dogs’ ability to swim is

primarily due to their strong limbs, but their genetics also play a role.

Meanwhile, dogs with short muzzles, those with very short legs, and those with small

hindquarters and large chests, are not designed to be good swimmers. Pugs,

dachshunds, boxers, and bulldogs, for instance, are generally unable to stay afloat.

Dogs Can Benefit from Swimming Lessons

Like humans, dogs can also benefit from swimming lessons.

Vice President of Veterinary Services with Petplan Pet Insurance, Jules Benson, DVM,

Says that in 2012, there was one drowning-related case in every 34,000 submitted pet

insurance claims.

Water intoxication, meanwhile, is likely to occur when a dog ingests water that is equal

to about one-third of its weight. If it ingests about two-thirds, death may result. Heat

stroke is also a danger that lurks along the sidelines of fun water play.

Specialty swimming lessons can help mitigate these risks. Professional trainers learn a

pet’s weak spots and how to work past them.

Resources:

http://dolphin-pools.com/

http://www.puppyleaks.com/swimming-study/

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/15_8/features/Safe-Water-Play-With-Your-

Dog_20581-1.html

http://www.animalplanet.com/pets/do-all-dogs-know-how-to-swim/

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2012/07/20/dogs-good-

swimmers.aspx

http://www.animalplanet.com/pets/do-all-dogs-know-how-to-swim/