Swimming for dog can be fun. However, you may want to learns some safety tips and precautions before throwing your best friend into the pool or lake. Human need to take swimming lesson to learn how to swim, but most mammals can swim by instinct. So you just need to guide your dog for the first few times to the water.

1. For a start, your dog need to learn to swim and get used to the water. The pup’s first introduction to the water should be at a spot where there is a gradual entry, rather than a sharp drop off and there should be no current at all.

2. Once you found a suitable place to train your puppy, either a lake or pool, bring a favorite toy with you and encourage them out further by tossing the toy short distances and swimming over to it. It will also be good if you can go down to the water together with you pup so that he feel more confident with the water.

3. Slowly, pull your dog in deep enough (but very gradually and with a leash if necessary) to where he has to swim rather than walk. Some dogs might need support for their hindquarters. Place your hand under your dog’s belly near the back until he learns to use his legs to stay afloat.

4. You may want to reward him a bit as encouragement to start swimming!

Precautions:

A. Always play safe, never allowed dog unattended access to the water.

B. A canine life jacket (vest) is helpful in teaching a dog to swim and can be worn by dogs that never catch on.

C. Short-legged breeds such as Basset Hounds, Dachshunds and Welsh Corgis can only swim short distances. Most Bulldogs can’t swim. If taking these kinds of dogs on a boat, bring a life jacket for them.