Keeping cool in the pool
The boys getting their feet wet
Mogwai shows off his doggy paddle
Mogwai finds dry land
Loki walks on water
July 21, 2009 -
Pet:
In light of our recent day at the beach, I thought it was time for the dogs to have their first swimming lesson. And what better place than the backyard pool? To me, the most important part of the lesson was to teach them how to get out of the pool in case they ever accidentally fell in. For safety, I always keep the pool gate locked and watch the dogs very closely while outside playing.
I started by gently placing both dogs on the first step to get them used to the water while giving them treats and a lot of praise. I picked Mogwai up and swam around with him in my arms to get him used to the water. I stood with him at the shallow end of the pool and supported his underbelly as I guided him towards the steps. Once he got his footing, he jumped out to freedom and a tasty treat! Success!
After several tries, Mogwai was able to swim by himself for a few seconds. For the most part he was able to hold his head above water--only sinking one time!
I repeated the same scenario with Loki. He was a natural and it seemed as though he could actually walk on water! His only downfall was that he swam in a circle and had difficulty finding the steps through all the splashing.
After the lesson I washed the dogs off with a hose to prevent the chlorine and chemicals from drying out their skin. I also inserted drops in their ears to get the water out and prevent infection. I’m considering buying them both life vests to give them more confidence during their next lesson.
Does your dog know how to swim? Did you have to teach him or was he a natural? Share your stories!
Comments
23 Jul 2009 4:47 pm
mdinchak said:
I'm glad to hear that Loki isn't the only Chin who swims in circles! Swimming is a great way for dogs to stay cool during summer--and it sure does tire them out. Thanks for sharing!
23 Jul 2009 12:43 pm
fudogoma said:
This is perfect for summer! I brought Mu-shu and Bonsai to a friends pool yesterday and they had a fantastic time swimming. The funny thing is my Chin's swam in circles too, maybe because they are a small breed. It kept them cool during a hot day and worked off some of their energy.
You must be a registered user to post comments.
Sign up › or Sign In ›