Swimming

[spillar]

Hi Guys,

Our baby, spillar, is now 5 months old. I just have a couple of questions. 1. Can dogs instinctively swim? We were at a park close to our home yesterday and there is a lake. Spillar was very interested in the lake, and I tried to encourage him to go in, but he only made a few steps in and ran back out. I just want to make sure that he will be able to swim if he gets in further. 2. Does drinking lake water harm dogs? I try to bring a water bottle on all of our walkes, but the lake water is right there it it is hard for me to stop him from drinking it. Thank you!

Diana

[Rott-Wiley]

Hi Diana, No they can't instinctively swim? Some can be awful awkward in the water but with practice can usually overcome that. If you can, try walking out in the water with your dog and have them follow you in. As you walk, try to get into deeper water so the dog is forced to paddle instead of walk to keep up with you. That's one way for them to learn.

I don't know about the lake water where you are but here in Central Florida our lake/pond waters are NOT! Several of them have a bacteria in the water that can be harmful to dogs and other animals. I'd try to check a local source to see if the water is safe for dogs to drink or not.

[spidey]

Rott-Wiley is right that they can be awkward at first, but they most certainly can instinctively swim - perhaps Rott-Wiley meant that they can't instinctively swim WELL? Every animal with four legs can swim, including elephants, and even human babies can swim instinctively to some extent (they make the right motions, but can't swim properly because of the size of their heads, and they also instinctively hold their breath). It's just the same motions they use when trotting, done underwater, and they usually figure it out pretty quickly. However, just because they can swim instinctively doesn't mean they can't drown, they definitely can, so swimming should always be done under supervision, just as with children.

[lblax]

Originally posted by spidey
Rott-Wiley is right that they can be awkward at first, but they most certainly can instinctively swim - perhaps Rott-Wiley meant that they can't instinctively swim WELL? Every animal with four legs can swim, including elephants, and even human babies can swim instinctively to some extent (they make the right motions, but can't swim properly because of the size of their heads, and they also instinctively hold their breath). It's just the same motions they use when trotting, done underwater, and they usually figure it out pretty quickly. However, just because they can swim instinctively doesn't mean they can't drown, they definitely can, so swimming should always be done under supervision, just as with children.

your absolutly right spydy they do instinctively swim .... with one exception the grey hound they have the moves down but they dont have enough body fat to keep afloat we learned this the hard way as we threw frisbes of the end of the pier for a freinds 2 rescue grey hound they were paddling away but going strate down now they where life jackets but still luv to swim...

[Rott-Wiley]

Well, I said they can’t instinctively swim because I didn’t think they could. I had a Doberman puppy, years ago, who almost drowned in our pool. He fell in on the deep end and I could just seem him there (under the water) trying to get to the surface. He did all the motions of kicking and paddling but it was getting him nowhere. He was trying his best to paddle but simply got nowhere. Eventually I jumped in and pushed him to where he could stand and breathe but I am sure he would have drowned then and there on the spot had I not saved him.

[Carina43]

Bulldogs also cannot swim, they just sink! I had a resue French bulldog for some time, and I was warned repeatedly by Frenchie people never to let her get out of her depth.

Butr I've found that while some dogs are eager & comfortable in water right away, most need to get used to the idea first...but certainly a Rottweiler will instictively swim, if it's a choice between that and sinking!

I'm pretty sure dogs can get giardia & all sorts of nasties from drinking lake or creek water...I hike tons with my dogs, always have - and it's pretty difficult to stop them ingesting water once they're in it! I've never had a dog with any problems due to that, not serious enough for me to notice anyhow.

[lblax]

Originally posted by Rott-Wiley
Well, I said they can’t instinctively swim because I didn’t think they could. I had a Doberman puppy, years ago, who almost drowned in our pool. He fell in on the deep end and I could just seem him there (under the water) trying to get to the surface. He did all the motions of kicking and paddling but it was getting him nowhere. .

as you can see he knew how and all the motions but a dobe puppy like a greyhound just dont have the proper body fat tyo size to keep afloat--- always be with your dogs when they go into the water even though the do know how to swim from birth that doesnt mean there are not exceptions to the rule as you have found

[lblax]

Originally posted by Carina43


I'm pretty sure dogs can get giardia & all sorts of nasties from drinking lake or creek water...I hike tons with my dogs, always have - and it's pretty difficult to stop them ingesting water once they're in it! I've never had a dog with any problems due to that, not serious enough for me to notice anyhow.

i wouldnt worry about ingesting water unless you are in an area that you know is high in manmade chemical polutants then they shouldnt be ibn the water anyway

[Rott-Wiley]

Our lakes are not high in manmade chemical polutants but after many water skiers have gotten ill from consuming the water, warnings have been issued to not drink the water. It's much better to be safe then sorry. Check with a local source first.

[Birdie'sMom]

Birdie was about 5 months the first time we took her to the lake. She was a bit shy at first, but once she saw another dog swimming she went right in! She looked so awkward at first - splashing around with her head straight up!:D Eventually she figured it out and now she is a natural. But it must be instinctive, because I sure didn't teach her - it just took awhile for her to get comfortable with it!:)

[jayneliz]

We live on Lake Erie (like - right ON Lake Erie...) and my Elsa swam about as good as a stone when she was a baby. She liked the water, though, and would follow me, so I would put my arms under her belly and hold her up, like you do teaching a child to swim. After a couple lessons, she took off on her own and now will take HERSELF swimming.

She likes to chase the waves, too, and usually drinks a boatload of water from the lake without trouble. Of course, Lake Erie is the cleanest it has been in about 100 years.... So best to check with local authorities or vet about your lake before swimming or allowing drinking....

Happy Swimming!

Jayne May

[Skip]

Originally posted by lblax
your absolutly right spydy they do instinctively swim .... with one exception the grey hound they have the moves down but they dont have enough body fat to keep afloat we learned this the hard way as we threw frisbes of the end of the pier for a freinds 2 rescue grey hound they were paddling away but going strate down now they where life jackets but still luv to swim...

I've never heard the lack of "body fat" story. Makes me curious. Most serious long distance swimmers I know (human) have extremely low body fat.

[LORHEL]

I thought, every dog liked to swim...ha... not mine. She likes her plastic wading pool in the back yard, but when we walk next to ponds, absoutely NO interest... not even a sniff of the water.

I agree, you should always make sure you are with them while they are swimming, keeping an eye on them. Some take to it like they were born for it, others, take some time, and help, and then they love it also..

:D

[lblax]

Originally posted by Skip
I've never heard the lack of "body fat" story. Makes me curious. Most serious long distance swimmers I know (human) have extremely low body fat.

well i had never heard of it either untill this greyhound thing happened with my friends dogs thats what the rescue people told him after he inquired about it .. they were swimming (all the moves) like champs just going straight down like a rock lol

[spidey]

Most serious long distance swimmers I know (human) have extremely low body fat.

Swimmers who do seriously long distance swims (like across the English Channel, for example), however, tend to have high body fat, see here. The fat adds bouyancy and helps with insulation and energy.

I think the issue with Greyhounds may depend on the individual dog, but they have REALLY low body fat, even the leanest human has a far higher percentage of body fat than a Greyhound - it's not really comparable as far as I know. I also suspect that it may also be related to a combination of their lack of bouyancy (no body fat) and their shape (a deep chest doesn't give you much horizontal surface area, which can help with floating).