mollyripkim Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 What about contacting someone who offers hydrotherapy for dogs, at least you could check his swimming ability in a safe way. You hear so many sad stories of people who have drowned going after their dogs. I understand how you feel as my little dachs will go in water but her little legs wouldn't be enough to swim her way out of trouble so I have stopped going to the river area for walking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 As someone who jumped in a lake after my now departed terrier once, I'd say test your staffies swimming! My poor terrier couldn't swim for love nor money, and whilst I know you shouldn't jump in after, you do what you have to do Note: terrier died aged 16 of old age, he didn't drown Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 You can get dog harnesses with flotation aids on them; a friend who lives on a canal boat has one for their dog after it tried the 'suicide by water' route once too often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 You can get flotation devices/lifejackets for dogs. They are not the greatest thing to walk a dog longer distances in however, particularly if you have a dog that likes to crash through undergrowth. I think the best thing to do is to get your dog swimming in a controlled way to build confidence and swimming strength. A hydrotherapy pool is a good idea - you will have to pay for sessions, or you could find a pond or lake where your dog can get in and out easily. Your dog may go in and out to retrieve a ball or floating toy. I have thrown most of my dogs in to get them going. Many dogs get into trouble when they can't get out easily and panic. They key is to plan a swimming session and plan somewhere suitable to train. Walking your dog in a harness might give you more to grab hold of to haul them out if they struggle to get out when there are steep sides. I know first hand of both dogs dog breaking through ice on lakes and becoming trapped and owners dying trying to rescue dogs in water. Usually if a dog can't cope, neither can their owner dogs are hard wired to swim and I can't remember the last time I didn't hear 'and the dog survived' attached to the end of a story on the news re an owner drowning rescuing a dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 We have a life jacket for our dog. However I was told by a sailor that it is not so much for keeping them afloat as they can swim but is useful if they happen to fall in the water as it has a handle on top that you can get to easily with a boathook. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quickcluck Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 Finley has been to hydrotherapy, where I learned that not all dogs can swim! He wears a life jacket with a handle on, they come in different levels of floatation also. But since he been going he now make a bee line for any large body of water! Not quite what I had in mind..... I wonder if you can get a foldable one that you can keep in a bag and whisk it out when he's near enticing water features! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
