How to Teach Your Dog to Swim (8 steps)

Going swimming with your dog is one of life’s joys – for them as well as you! There’s simply something about water that makes most dogs beside themselves with excitement … so by getting them right in there, you’re doing them a great service.

But if you’re wondering how to get a dog to swim in the first place, you’re not alone. Luckily, it’s all about care and confidence – and it’s not as hard as it sounds.

So without further ado, let’s dive into the do’s and don’ts of how to teach a dog to swim!

When Should You Teach Your Dog to Swim?

Unlike humans, dogs are pretty much ready to get into the water nearly as soon as they’re ready to walk. Ten weeks is generally considered a safe time – though if your dog’s a strong-swimming breed, you may like to reduce this slightly. For that reason, as soon as your dog’s vaccinated and you’re taking them for walks, you can start taking them swimming.

Do All Dog Breeds Like to Swim?

It's a common but mistaken belief that all dogs love swimming, and are “born to swim”. Unfortunately, this isn't true. While any healthy dog can be taught to swim, some will take to it like a duck (or dog?) to water, while others will need to be taught. So, if your dog doesn’t immediately get the idea, don’t worry – they will eventually.

Dogs such as setters and labrador retrievers are excellent swimmers, as are spaniels. But don’t worry if you don’t have one of the primo swimming breeds, because they’ll still be able to learn at their own pace.

Teach Your Dog to Swim In 8 Steps

If you’re searching for a simple procedure on how to train your dog to swim, here’s the step-by-step guide for teaching your dog how to swim confidently:

1. Pack the Essentials

   Before diving in, there’s a list of things you’ll want to take for your dog.
   
   • Clean drinking water & dog containers (they’ll need a lot of this because they’re likely to get dehydrated while swimming)
   • Toys (for adding to the fun of getting in the water)
   • Treats (for encouragement)
   • Sunscreen (in case you’re playing on a high-UV day)
   • Dog lifejacket (for safety’s sake, until they’re confident in the water)
   • Poop bags
   • Towels



2. Pick Safe, Shallow Water

   When your dog’s just beginning to dip their paw in the water, the most important thing you can do is make sure you choose a safe spot. This means relatively shallow, slow-moving water with no undercurrent or ‘rip’.
   
   The shallow end of a swimming pool is an ideal place to start, as it offers a predictable environment that’s easy to supervise. Once your dogs become more confident, you might like to step up the pace a bit by moving on to a sheltered beach with calm waters. Remember not to swim alone with your dog, as you may need extra help if anything happens.



3. Start Slowly

   To get your dog used to swimming, it’s best to take things slowly. For that reason, make sure you hold your dog when you’re getting into the water together for the first time – you don’t want them to freak out. If they seem nervous, make soothing noises and scratch them behind the ears. You can even take treats to entice them to begin every new phase.



4. Get Your Dog Familiar With Water

   Repeat this process as often as possible to make the idea of water seem more familiar and natural to your dog. Even if you don’t go in all the way, you can ‘dunk’ part of their body in the water. If they show signs of fear (whimpering etc.), that’s your cue to offer more comfort. Pretty soon, they’ll get used to the sensation of being dipped in the water and will be ready for more (and more).




5. Take Frequent Breaks

   When you’re teaching a dog to swim, they often find getting in the water for the first time both physically and emotionally exhausting. That’s why you should make sure there are plenty of opportunities for breaks away from the water, where your dog can get under some shade and have a big drink of fresh, cool water (and some food if they’re hungry).
   
   Once they’re looking like they’re ready to go again, have another shot at getting in the water. Don’t worry, though – even if they’re not keen on getting back in straight away, they won’t be too far off.



6. Give Them Plenty of Support

   Dogs need physical support when they’re in the water, but they also need emotional support. To make sure they’re comforted, provide plentiful physical and verbal affection throughout the entire process (e.g. ‘good boy/girl, ‘keep going’ while patting/stroking). By doing this, you’re strengthening the sense of trust between you and your dog while making them happy at the same time. That’s a win-win!



7. Teach Your Dog to Exit the Water

   Even if your dog’s confident in the water, they may not be as assertive when it’s time to get out. Alternatively, they could simply be having so much fun that they don’t want to get out (which means you’ve done a great job as a teacher). Either way, make sure you have a strong ‘signal’ to show them you’re still there (e.g. a special call or handclap).



8. Gently Let Them Go

   For anyone introducing their dog to the water, this is possibly the hardest part. Once your dog has shown they’ve gained enough confidence and independence, it’s time to let them swim by themselves – always making sure you’re right there by their side, of course!

The Benefits Of Teaching Your Dog To Swim

There are many benefits of teaching a dog to swim, and we’ve listed several of the major ones below.

• Great Exercise – Regular swimming will substantially strengthen your dog’s body, just like it does for us. Swimming’s the ideal low-impact exercise, as it ensures all muscles are stretched quite gently. It’s also a great way to help your dog lose weight, as the exertion burns calories and helps your dog slim down. Regular exercise paired with healthy eating habits will have your dog fit and healthy in no time.


• Builds Confidence – For dogs that are more timid or apprehensive, swimming’s a great way to build up their confidence. This works whether your dog’s swimming alone or as part of a team.


• Burns Excess Energy – Puppies have stacks of energy to burn. (Not that you needed us to tell you that!) That’s why any opportunity to get them working hard is valuable. Swimming’s ideal for this, as it gives your dog the perfect opportunity for diverse and low-impact (yet very high-energy) physical exercise.


• Teaches Obedience – By repeatedly coming back to you when they’re in the water, your dog will have the perfect opportunity to learn valuable obedience skills


• Allows you to explore other activities – Remember, swimming’s just the beginning! As soon as your dog gets a taste for the water, a range of more activities await – even kayaking with your dog

Important Water Safety Tips for Dog Owners

Whenever you’re swimming with your dog, taking proper safety measures is essential. We’re going to run through each of these tips in turn, so you’ll have a great head start before taking your dog to their first-ever swimming extravaganza.

• Never let your dog swim unattended – This may sound obvious, but it’s important to remember that dogs don’t always take to swimming straight away. Because they haven’t learned to assess the level of danger, it’s vital to stay right by their side.


• Bring a life jacket for your dog – If your dog’s never seen a large body of water, that’s a great reason to try on a lifejacket. When they’re learning, it will let them get used to the water without having to worry about the breathing aspect. And when they’ve had a few dips in the sea (or pool), they should be ready to go without one.


• Make sure the pool is dog-friendly – Just as you wouldn’t have an open pool with a child, it’s important to secure your pool if you have a dog in the home. The best way to do this is with a regulation pool fence, which will prevent your dog from getting in the pool when you’re not watching them.


• Be mindful of your dog’s water time – Drinking too much water can upset your dog’s stomach, because of the chlorine and/or other chemicals used. The same applies for when taking your dog to the ocean, as salt water is extremely dehydrating. Make sure you have plenty of fresh water on hand to make sure they don’t drink when they shouldn’t.


• Watch for fatigue – Swimming in the ocean is especially tiring. If your dog is really enjoying themselves, they may not be aware when they’re in danger. If their energy level suddenly flags, assist them to the shore or side of the pool.


• Give them access to shade – When swimming in the pool or ocean, the sun can be very harsh on your dog’s skin. Regularly take your dog away from the water for breaks in a shady area with plenty of fresh water available.


• Monitor the water’s temperature – This could apply either to the sea or a pool, but particularly to the sea, as you could be putting them at risk of getting hypothermia.


• Be watchful for dangerous conditions - if swimming in a river or the ocean monitor the currents or waves

So, after all that, how do you teach a dog to swim? With care, patience, love, and the right nutrition. Eukanuba has formulated a dog food range for dogs of all shapes and sizes, with optimal energy for an active lifestyle and over 50% more glucosamine to promote agile joints.

Teaching dogs to swim may sound a bit daunting, but it’s actually a lot of fun. Your dog will love nothing more than plunging into the ocean or pool, getting soaked, paddling away, and having a whale of a time. So if you’re wondering how to get your dog to swim, you’ll find everything you need in this article to keep them safe and happy throughout that magical time of dog swim training.