Amanda Teixeira
Bathing in the water during the hot season is fun for most dogs. However, there are a few rules to follow to ensure untroubled swimming fun.
Bathing and swimming in the water is a real change for many dogs and welcome cooling off on hot days. To ensure that this pleasure remains great fun, you should know and observe these safety rules.
Slowly lower the dog into the cold water
A blatant temperature change of ten degrees and more puts a heavy strain on the dog’s circulation. Before letting your dog swim, sprinkle them with water or walk them a few feet in shallow water to let their feet cool and their body adjust. This gets his circulation going, relieves the joints and gives him security. Let him decide for himself whether he wants to swim freely or even dive.
No dog should stay longer than ten minutes in water that is less than ten degrees plus, otherwise the dog’s body will cool down.
First, solve, then bathe
Make sure the dog has done its business before going for a swim. Unlike humans, they won’t pollute the water with urine or feces, but they should be empty when they swim laps.
Never leave unattended
When your dog is romping, diving or swimming near or in the water, you should never take your eyes off him. Also make sure that the dog does not stray too far from you.
More safety with a life jacket
Even if you don’t let your dog out of your sight when bathing, it should wear a dog life jacket to be on the safe side. This saves his strength while swimming. Dog life jackets have a handle on the back that allows the dog to grab and pull out.
On the deck of a sailing or motor boat and also when stand-up paddling, all dogs should be provided with a life jacket. This special vest must fit exactly so that the dog cannot slip out.
The fluorescent color has proven itself, because if the dog actually goes overboard, you can see it even if it is being carried away.
Dogs that are inexperienced in swimming, very young and old animals as well as animals that are not quite healthy should be protected with a life jacket – in case they lose their strength while bathing.
Don’t force yourself to swim
Not every dog likes to jump into the water. Some dogs only wade in up to their waists. Don’t force your dog into deeper water if he’s showing respect. Also, only throw the ball as far as the dog can swim safely and safely.
Swim only in safe waters
In fast-flowing rivers, waters near weirs and canals with steep banks, the dog could drift off and not be able to find a way out. If you want to let your dog swim in the sea, make sure that the waves are not too strong. Even with a dog, you should definitely avoid water points where signs indicate that bathing is prohibited.
Take off parasite protection
If your dog wears a flea and tick collar, you should remove it for bathing and swimming. Otherwise, the collars will release their active ingredients into the water. Even if you’ve powdered your dog against parasites or treated it with a spot-on, he won’t be allowed to go swimming until eight hours later.
Shower the dog after bathing
If your dog has bathed in the sea, lake or river, you should shower it off with clean water as soon as possible – at the latest at home. This will flush dirt, salt, debris and germs out of his fur.
Swimming with the dog: beware of the claws
If you go into the water with your dog and the dog swims next to you, you have to be careful of his claws. The dog can inadvertently hurt you with it.
Tip: If you want to pick up your dog in the water, you should either do this by the back handle of his safety vest, or you can put one hand under the dog’s belly and support his hind legs with the other.
Enough with swimming when the dog is exhausted
While swimming is healthy for dogs, it is also very physically demanding. Dogs don’t always show clearly that they are exhausted. You just keep paddling. You know your dog best. You must see that his movements slow down, that his head is no longer proudly but laboriously lifted out of the water, that the swimming flow falters. Then stop bathing and help the dog out of the water. And be prepared for his muscles to be sore the next day.