{"id":565,"date":"2011-02-26T23:58:07","date_gmt":"2011-02-26T23:58:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/talentedanimals.com\/blog\/?p=565"},"modified":"2011-03-01T01:04:22","modified_gmt":"2011-03-01T01:04:22","slug":"helping-your-dog-learn-to-love-to-swim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/talentedanimals.com\/blog\/helping-your-dog-learn-to-love-to-swim\/","title":{"rendered":"Helping Your Dog Learn to Love to Swim"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I am a passionate advocate of swimming your dog.\u00a0 It is one of the very best all around exercise activities, it is a great way to cool them down on hot days, reduce parasites, keep your dogs clean, and generally have a great time.<\/p>\n

The vast majority of dogs will learn to love swimming.\u00a0 Some will take longer than others, and a few might never come to love it, but for most it will become a favorite activity and is well worth the time spent introducing.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

First of all, there are a few things to avoid:<\/p>\n

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  1. Do not take your dog to the water\u2014the first few times\u2014unless you are ready to get wet.\u00a0 I am amazed how many people I see on the beach trying to get their dogs to swim while the owners are wearing shoes and are running away from each wave.\u00a0 You dog looks to you for leadership, and if you act like water is something to be avoided, they will too!\u00a0 So make sure that, before you get anywhere near the water, you have removed your shoes, rolled up your pants, put on a swimsuit, or whatever else you need to do so that they will see you happily and enthusiastically entering the water.<\/li>\n
  2. Do not force your dog\u2014do not pull, push, drag, shove, or trick your dog into the water.<\/li>\n
  3. Try to avoid the accidental entry.\u00a0 Do not start out on a slippery dock, or a steep edge, or in a location where the surface of the water appears solid and your dog will try to run onto it and sink\u2026<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    A few times before you head out to swim, take your dog to shallow water to splash around.\u00a0 Warm, fun, shallow, where you can both run and play fetch and generally have a great time in the water.<\/p>\n

    Next, create an optimal situation for swimming:<\/p>\n

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    1. Pick a warm day. I know you may be excited, but rushing and trying to get them to enjoy going into the water when they are cold and uncomfortable will backfire.<\/li>\n
    2. Select a great location:\"\"<\/a>\n