Dutch Shepherd Forum

Hello fellow dog lovers, I wanted to ask you guys a question. I have read that swimming is really good for dogs (Ref: http://www.soldapools.com/swimming/5-he ... -your-dog/ ). Is this true for domestic dogs ? I take my doggie for a walk in the park and I have seen a pool near our locality where pets can be taken. But I had not taken Max till now because I wasn't sure if he will be okay with it. Do you guys take out your dog for a swim?

You asked the right person !!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been taking my girls swimming once a week for a few months now. I have a post on it.

Swimming is THE BEST form of exercise for everyone !

If you can take them swimming , do it.

Swimming is great for dogs, depending on depth and current I would recommend a PFD it keeps them in a more upright position and they can swim a little longer. Our apprehension K9s train in a body of water 60 ft long 20 ft wide and 8 ft deep they train to swim across the water and the bite is the reward.

Wanted to add on some mornings at Naval Base Coronado, in the bay you can see Navy Seals swimming along side their MPC's. It is a cool sight and they swim a good distance.

Wanted to add if you are ever in San Diego on some mornings you can see Navy Seals swimming in Coronado Bay, Naval Base Coronado, next to their MPC's. They swim a good distance.

Swimming is an excellent activity. If they are toy motivated you could even do some dock diving.

ICE wrote:Swimming is an excellent activity. If they are toy motivated you could even do some dock diving.

Sadie would be hiding behind the wall shaking and cowering. I still have to put her in the pool.

Good timing for this topic... Last week we took Hilde with us on Spring Break to FL. She has always been very leery of any water deeper than a puddle. She's been to the beach before, but would pretty much panic as soon as a single toe got wet. Well, I think we can safely say we've overcome that. I've got some pictures and videos I'll post as soon as I get a chance.

We have joined a Dock Diving group here in Missouri - just one more activity to keep a young DS girl busy, busy, busy!

Sadie would be hiding behind the wall shaking and cowering. I still have to put her in the pool.

How did you break her of the fear?? Olek is TERRIFIED of water!

What I found out from watching sadie swim, was her fear was not the water or swimming per se. But Sadie has double Hip displasia, so her hind end is weak, especially in the winter when we cant go hiking as often.

By watching her swim her rear end drops down so she would fear she was drowning and freak out. By getting her rear end strong, and wearing a life jacket and holding her tail up to keep her rear end level, she over came her fear and was swimming great !!

She still is weary getting in since her fears were for years and she just has to remember its okay but she gets in much easier than she used to.

The best think is to find a stream where they can go in slowly, bring a good toy to lure her in and slow, I also found if there is another dog that loves the water, put that dog in first, they will see its okay and help them want to go in.

It takes time, never throw the dog in, that will freak them out and make them never want to go in.

Plus, the pool where I was taking them had BIG WIDE steps and we would just go in one step and walk back and forth so they could go at their own pace.

Thank you! I'm glad that Sadie is doing better! We don't have a big pool or anything at my house but there is a brook on my street maybe I'll take him down there and see if he will go in. He is just so afraid of anything water. Bath time for a 12 pound puppy takes both Travis and I! Lol