Page 11 - Issue 3_2018

AKC Communications

7 Activities to Do With a Dog That Loves Water

Some dogs seem to be part fish — happy to splash and play in water Surfing: Does your pup have what it takes to become the next surf
all day, if you let them. For these pups, there are plenty of activities dog? The late, great Tillman, a Bulldog known for surfing and skate-
that will keep them entertained. Check out seven examples below. boarding, helped make this activity so popular that there are now
annual surf dog competitions.
Swimming: Most dogs that love water are happy to paddle around
in a lake, creek, or dog-friendly pool. But before you let your dog off Search and Rescue: A great way to combine your dog’s love of wa-
his leash, review canine swimming safety tips to ensure your pup is ter with a good cause is by participating in search and rescue. Some
well equipped to handle the water. organizations specifically train dogs to help with water rescues and
locate drowning victims.
Troubleshooting:

Some dogs can be overwhelmed by large bodies of water. Try
starting with an empty baby pool in your yard. Get your dog
comfortable stepping in while the pool is empty before slowly
adding water. Reward your dog for getting in and he’ll soon be
happily jumping in every chance he gets!

Start young! Get your puppy comfortable with water as soon as
you bring him home! Your bathtub or a baby pool with an inch
or two of water make great places to introduce young puppies.
You can also carry small puppies into the water and help them
swim back to shore or another person.
If your dog won’t step off a pool step to start swimming Water Retrievals: Some dogs may like to retrieve, but not necessar-
try a pond or lake where they can gradually ily jump off a dock, and that’s okay. Water retrieving uses a weighted
wade deeper rather than a sudden drop off. toy that sinks to the bottom of a pool for your dog to get. It’s impor-
tant to note that the water should not be too deep, so your dog can
comfortably swim to and from the surface.

Boating: Water-loving dogs are often at home on the deck of a boat.
If you do plan on taking your dog out on the water, remember to
bring a life jacket, even if your pup knows how to swim.

Diving Dogs: Is your canine companion’s favorite game fetch? He Paddleboarding: Paddleboarding is a fun activity that you and your
should try Diving Dogs. The sport involves throwing a toy into the dog can do together. However, you probably shouldn’t bring your
water while your dog waits on a dock. He must then run and jump canine companion along unless you’re an experienced paddleboarder
into the water to retrieve his toy. Dogs are judged by the distance of yourself. This is another activity that should include a dog life jacket.
their jump. This sport has gained a lot of attention over the last few
years, and you can now earn an AKC title through North America Div- Reprinted with Permission 2018
ing Dogs. akc.org
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