Swimming your companion at home

Text | Bianca Rootman

With December and school holidays upon us, many of us will be spending time outside around a pool or dam, weather permitting of course… This means that our companions will be spending time around bodies of water too. Contrary to popular belief, not all dogs can swim, and a lot of them don’t actually enjoy swimming. Enabling our companions to make this decision for themselves, by safely introducing them to water, is a vital learning curve in their lives, and it shapes our companions’ feelings about water for the rest of their lives. If our companions have access to, or could potentially have access to any deep body of water, even if just for a brief period, it is vital that they are shown the basics of how to swim, and how to safely exit the water.

Working in a field which uses hydrotherapy every single day, I’ve heard many people say that their puppy was thrown or bumped into water and has been petrified since. This is completely understandable and makes it easy to see how a water phobia develops. In our experience, with some patience, guidance, and gentle encouragement, most of these companions can be helped to tolerate water again, even if they are never the water babies they might have been.

The very first place to start, whether your companion is young or old, is with reassurance and trust. If you are picking your dog up and throwing them into the pool, they are never going to trust you, and they are never going to enjoy being in water. So, start slowly; encourage your companion to be around the body of water, and encourage and praise any interest in, or movement towards, the water. This may require a few sessions of desensitising a really scared dog. Using treats and toys can also make a big difference. Most pools require your companion to climb down onto the step. This would be one part that I would encourage you to physically assist your companion with, until they have learnt how to get in by themselves. For bigger dogs, and for pools with a step, allow them just to stand on the step and experience being in the water. If they want to get out, allow them to. For the little dogs who cannot stand, I would encourage you to be in the pool with them and just hold them in your arms, or allow them to sit on your lap. Remember to praise, and make a big fuss so they know they are doing well.

We always advocate for the use of life jackets for dogs when swimming, especially for our weak or compromised companions. The life jacket provides a sense of stability, which in turn makes your companion feel more comfortable and confident in the water. I'm sure you've all seen the panic in a dog's eyes when they are struggling to stay afloat, and one just has to imagine what that must feel like in order to understand why the use of a life jacket can be so beneficial.

When encouraging your companion to move off the step or go deeper where they will actually have to swim, we always encourage you to be in the pool with them. This allows you to be right there if things go wrong, and provide some degree of comfort to your companion. It also allows you to guide your companion back towards the step or way out. If you only get your companion in the pool once, make sure that your main objective is to show them where the step or exit is. This is vital, and could potentially prevent an accident should your companion fall in, or be knocked in accidentally at some point. They must always know where to get out, and they must always be able to somehow get out. What works best during the first introduction, if they are willing, is to encourage your companion to swim half a length, or make a small circle, then allow them back to the step, or back into your arms. This can be repeated a few more times before allowing them to get out. Don’t forget to praise or treat your companion for their efforts. It should be a fun and positive experience. This process can be repeated over the next few days. These next few sessions should give you a good idea as to whether your companion is a fan of swimming or not. They may start jumping in by themselves, or sitting on the step, or they may run and hide every time you look at the pool. We cannot force them to like swimming, and some dogs, like people, will never be converted.

Another important note about swimming is to remember that it is an intensive exercise. There is a great deal of physical and cardiovascular strength required to swim. For this reason, it is best to seek professional advice before swimming a weak, compromised, very young, or old companion. There are many medical conditions where swimming is contraindicated. Rehabilitation and hydrotherapy centres offer the perfect environment in which your companion can be assessed to be swimming fit or not, and also safely introduced to swimming. Generally, only one or two sessions will be needed to introduce your companion to swimming at a hydrotherapy centre, and you will be given advice and guidance on how to swim your companion at home.

So, before throwing or forcing your companion into the pool this December, just remember what a scary experience it would be for them. There are safe and positive ways to allow your companion the opportunity to decide whether they enjoy this swimming thing or not.

ANIMAL HEALTH AND HYDRO RYNFIELD

154 President Brand Str, Rynfield, Benoni

Contact: 083 230 2188

Email: animalhealths@gmail.com

ANIMAL HEALTH AND HYDRO PRETORIA EAST

Contact: 074 251 4410

Email: ahahpretoria@gmail.com