With summer here, we are getting ready to head to the beach and thinking of lazy days next to the pool. It’s time to introduce your dogs to the joys of water activities.
WORDS Gail Skinner
Some are naturals, but many would rather jump over a puddle than get their paws wet. There are various water sports for you and your dogs, water agility, extreme vertical (the high jump), long jump, speed retrieve, bodyboarding and the deep dive.
The benefits of introducing water activities to your dogs are that they build confidence and independence, plus the relationship between you strengthens. Water training is physically beneficial for building muscle and increasing fitness levels without putting strain on joints, ligaments or tendons. It gives the dogs focus and tires them out and as we all know, “A tired dog is a good dog!”
In our purpose-built pool, we introduce dogs of all ages and abilities to water fun. When dogs start swimming, there’s a lot of splashing and thrashing about and the hindquarters sink in the water, which causes them to panic. So we use life jackets on all novice dogs to give them confidence and buoyancy in the water until they are stable and have developed the muscles necessary to propel them through the water.
Dogs are able to overcome many behaviour struggles by swimming and building confidence and a sense of achievement. Our first session with all new dogs is to show them the way out of the pool via the ramps. Once they realise that they have a safe exit, the fun begins.
So let’s get out there and have a fun-filled time with our dogs.
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