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Dogs are a part of our family and they love to come along with us
when we go to the pool, lake, river, or ocean. Even if they hate
taking baths, jumping into water is one of their favorite past
times. The last thing you ever want to happen is your dog getting
injured in water. So how do you maintain your dogโs safety in
water? Here are 5 ways that you can use to ensure that your dog
has a safe and happy experience when in water.
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Teach your dog how to swimBelieve it or not,
only some dogs are natural born swimmers whereas some are not
and others fear water and believe that they will never swim.
Regardless, you need to spend quality time with your dog and
teach them how to swim. You can start with smaller pools so
that they wonโt drown or injure themselves. If you are finding
it hard to teach your furry friend on how to swim, take the
help of a professional trainer.
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Invest in a dog life vestLife vests are
available for dogs and you should invest in one if you plan on
taking your dog to a deep pool, river, lake or ocean. Even if
your dog wants to play only for a small time, it is always
better to be safe than sorry. Dogs also get tired if they swim
for a long time or because of their age. A life vest will keep
them afloat regardless of the situation which will keep them
safe. Pick a vest with a bright color so that you can easily
spot them in water.
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Learn how to give CPR to dogsAccidents happen
even if you take extreme care to ensure that nothing can ever
happen. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation or CPR as it commonly
known can save the life of your four-legged friend if they
drown in water. It is the only proven technique that can bring
your dogโs breathing back to normal. It is absolutely essential
that you learn CPR so that you can provide first aid just in
case something goes wrong.
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Provide safety trainingDo you let your
children go near water bodies without providing adequate safety
training and supervision? Treat your dogs the same way even if
they are good swimmers. Dogs need to know all the safety rules
so that they can protect themselves from potential accidents.
If you are taking your dog to the pool, teach them how to get
into the pool and how to get out of it so that they donโt panic
when they are in the pool. Teach your dog not to drink the
water in the pool (easier said than done) as it can increase
the chances of drowning and the chlorine in water can harm
them.
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Take them for a health checkupEven though
swimming is a fun activity, it is also an intense activity as
it requires a lot of stamina. There may be a number of health
issues which can restrict your dogโs swimming ability so take
your dog to the vet before you take them into the water so that
you are informed.
Swimming is a great activity to beat the summer heat and with
these 5 simple tips, you and your dog will be able to enjoy
swimming while remaining safe from potential accidents.
Dog Life Jackets and Boat Safety Tips
Summer is the perfect time to
get your dog involved in some outdoor activities.
Thereโs hiking, swimming, trips
to the dog beach, and even boat rides. If you plan to take
your dog on board, be prepared for the voyage with these safety
tips.
1. Check Laws and Regulations
Before You Go
Before heading out on the open water, check your stateโs laws and
regulations to ensure that your dog is allowed on the boat and
that youโre following all the rules. In addition, if your boat is
in a marina, call the marina ahead of time to ensure that dogs
are allowed on the property.
2. Acclimate Your Dog to the
Boat
Being on a moving boat for the first time can be scary for a dog.
Itโs fast, itโs loud, and thereโs lots of strange movement.
Before taking the boat out to sea, acclimate your dog by visiting
the boat when itโs on dry land or parked at the dock. Let your
dog explore and sniff, and offer treats and praise. The goal is
to help your dog form a positive association with the vessel.
3. Bring Safety
Supplies
A first-aid kit, pee
pads, a life jacket, sunscreen,
and fresh water are all important things to bring along for the
ride. Even if your dog is an excellent swimmer, they should still
wear a life jacket (or have one nearby) in case conditions change
and the water gets choppy, which could affect their ability to
swim. Fresh water is important because sea water can be dangerous
for dogs to drink, and dog-friendly sunscreen will keep your pal
from getting burnt when
the sunโs beating down. Also be sure to set up a cool and shady
area for your dog to rest; perhaps in the cabin or under a large
umbrella.
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4. Develop a Safety
Plan
What will you do if your dog goes overboard? Have a plan before
you go so that everyone is on the same page. Maybe youโll plan to
turn off the engine, and one person will be assigned to jump into
the water after the dog.
5. Build Up to Longer
Outings
Even if you acclimate your dog to the boat, chances are theyโll
still be a little freaked out the first time on board. Keep their
first trip short and positive with plenty of treats and praise,
and look out for signs of seasickness. If your dog suffers from
seasickness, try these steps for
dealing with car sickness. If the seasickness persists, ask
your veterinarian if
anti-nausea medication would be
appropriate for future outings.
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6. Keep Your Eyes on Your
Dog
Just like you would with a small child, itโs important to keep
your eyes on your dog when theyโre on a boat. A wave or wake
could cause your dog to lose their footing and fall off, and too
much time in the sun could cause your dog to become dehydrated
(and even develop heatstroke).
Know where your dog is at all times and make sure they are secure
and taking breaks in the shade.
Do you take your dog out on a boat? How do they like it? Leave
a comment and let us know, and sign up for PetPlus, a benefit program for pet owners that
provides member-only access to medications at wholesale prices,
plus discounts on food, supplies, vet visits, boarding, and
more.
