Summer is just around the corner, and that means lots of fun in the water with your pup. While you may think that dogs are natural swimmers with common sense, this is not always the case.
on a boat:
1. Get your pup a life jacket.
2. Be aware of motion sickness.
4. Have a contingency plan.
on the beach:
5. Find out if you are at risk for riptides.
6. Beware of rough water.
7. Watch what the pup is putting in their mouth.
There are all kinds of crazy things on beaches (and not just the people who visit them). Dead fish gnaw on, litter, and even salt water are all things that can make your dog sick. As long as you pay attention to your puppy and bring fresh drinking water, you guys should be good!
Near the pool:
8. Fences are the best.
9. Make sure your dog knows his way out.
10. Don’t let your dog drink water.
Even if they give you a look like this whether you have a salt water or chlorine pool, don’t let your dog take a sip. Teach them to drink from a nearby bowl of fresh water to avoid getting sick.
In the river or lake:
11. Monitor your pup’s dock activities.
While it seems obvious not to walk the end of the dock to a human (or, at least, most humans), the dog may not realize when the dock ends and the water begins. If your dog is not a strong swimmer, always bring a life jacket when you are on the dock or anywhere around the water.
12. Watch out for the currents.
Rivers and streams can have unexpected streams that can scare a dog (or a human, let’s be real). Always check your stream first before inviting your dog to join.
13. Bad algae = no swimming.
Certain marine algae can make your patient sick. To avoid an accidental sip of gross water, avoid taking your dog to a lake or creek if there is a fair amount of blue-green algae present.
Finally, when getting your dog into the water, choose a shallow spot and keep them on a leash at first, making sure you are on their side and ready to catch them just in case. Oh, and have fun!
