For dogs who love to swim, playing in the water has many benefits. Swimming is an all-around healthy activity for your dog. It provides everything from exercise to stimulation, and a needed release for all that energy dogs have.
Exercise and Playtime
The
most obvious benefit of swimming for your dog is exercise. Dogs often
have excess energy to burn which needs to be channeled into activities
that keep them active and healthy, and keeps them from being destructive
out of boredom. Swimming is good for the whole body, from cardio to
muscles. When a dog can swim, they are naturals and adapt to it very
quickly. A good swimmer is fun to watch in the water.
Dogs who love
to swim get a great deal of pleasure out of the activity. Some dogs will
swim for hours, which is phenomenal exercise. It is even more fun when
you go swimming along with your dog in the sea, a pool, or a lake. To
add a little more excitement to the activity, bring along a ball or
other object that floats for your dog to swim after and fetch.
Stimulation
Even
dogs can get bored and restless. Varied activities help to keep your
dog alert, focused and happy. Exercise and play time help stimulate
their minds, and varying their activities helps as well. Take advantage
of the times when you can bring your dog to the water and give them
needed stimulation.
Cooling Down
In the
extreme summer heat, dogs can have a difficult time staying cool since
they do not sweat the same way humans do. They cool off through the pads
of their feet, and by panting, which pulls air in. Keeping your dog
hydrated is important, but you can also help them cool down with water
play. Even just a little kiddie pool helps, but a good swim will help
keep their body temperature at a comfortable level when they are
overwhelmed with heat. Dogs may enjoy a refreshing dip, just like we do.
Safety Tips
If
your dog is perfectly capable of swimming but is hesitant to get in the
water or seems afraid of it, try tempting them with a dog treat to help
break the initial resistance. Be patient the same way you would be with
a human child learning about the water and swimming. If you make it a
pleasant experience, your dog will quickly learn that water play is fun
and refreshing.
For dogs that can’t swim, you can purchase a life
jacket which will allow them to join in on all the fun in the water. If
you use that option, make sure you get the right size for your dog to
enable the vest to do the job properly.
Enjoy the water with your dog, and let them benefit from all the pluses it provides!
