Summer’s here, the sun is out, and your backyard pool (or your mate’s) is officially open for business. But while the idea of a dog doing a perfect paddle might sound adorable, not every pup is born a swimmer. Some need a little guidance before they’re ready to make a splash.
Let’s walk through how to teach your dog to swim safely, how to tell if they’re not a fan, and how to keep the whole experience stress-free (and fun).
🌊 First Things First: Can All Dogs Swim?
Not exactly. While many dogs can swim instinctively, that doesn’t mean they’re all good at it or comfortable doing it.
Breeds with short legs, heavy chests, or flat faces (think bulldogs, pugs, and dachshunds) often struggle in the water. That doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy a bit of splashy fun, but they may need extra support, like a life jacket or shallow play areas.
On the flip side, retrievers, spaniels, and Newfoundlands tend to love a good swim. But every dog’s different, so let your pup set the pace.
🐾 How to Teach Your Dog to Swim
1. Start Shallow:
Use the shallow end or steps so they can ease in and find their footing.
2. Use Encouragement:
A floating toy, gentle voice, or their fave treat off our Treato menu can help build positive associations.
3. Support Their Body:
Gently hold their belly as they learn to paddle — think lifeguard, not helicopter parent.
4. Keep Sessions Short:
Tiring out or getting overwhelmed can make swimming scary. Start with just a few minutes.
4. Rinse and Repeat:
Literally! Rinse off chlorine or salt after every swim to avoid skin irritation.
🏊 Pool Safety Rules Every Dog Owner Should Know
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Always supervise. Even confident swimmers can get into trouble.
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Teach your dog how to exit. Make sure they know where the steps or ramp are.
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Use a pool fence or cover. Especially important if you’re not around.
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Skip the cannonballs. Loud splashes can spook more sensitive dogs.
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Watch for fatigue. Heavy panting, slow paddling, or trying to climb onto you? Time to wrap it up.
🚫 Signs Your Dog Might Not Be Into It
If your pup:
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Tries to run away from the water
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Freezes or shakes near the pool
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Panics in the water (frantic paddling, gulping, whining)
Then it’s okay to hit pause. Not every dog loves swimming — and forcing it can lead to fear or injury. Instead, try some water-based enrichment like a kiddie pool splash session or frozen treats on a hot day.
💦 Final Splash
Summer swimming can be a blast, for you and your pup, as long as safety comes first and you go at their pace. Whether they’re chasing toys through the shallows or just dipping their paws for a quick cool-down, there’s no “right way” to enjoy the water.
And hey, even if your dog never graduates to full-on dog paddle, they’ll still love hanging poolside with their favourite human.
💬Who’s got a water-loving weirdo? Share your best pup swim memories in the comments!
1 comment
My Kelpie used to stress every time the kids or I were in the pool so we spent some time training her slowly with us just sitting on the side of the pool and giving her praise when she chilled beside us, then we progressed to sitting on the step for a week and then sitting in the pool away from the edge. Praising her until she was able to jump into the pool for her ball and not to rescue us. It was a slow process but we all got to enjoy the water and not have her try to drag us out every time we tried to enjoy a swim. I have many videos of her diving off the edge to grab her ball. She loved it as much as we did. Summers in the pool went from having to lock her inside and listen to her barking to all of us enjoying water play. So perfect.