How To Teach A Dog To Swim Wikihow

If your dog isn t already familiar with some basic skills such as sitting and lying down at your command teach your dog to follow these commands first.

How to teach a dog to swim wikihow. Begin by tossing a ball into the shallows of the water. Teaching your dog or puppy to swim 1. Pick up your pup or dog. Ask your student to hold the wall behind their head while they float on their back then instruct them to flutter kick.

Start slow with doggy swimming lessons. Sitting can be a useful behavior for many situations but the training process is also the beginning of establishing relationship roles between you and your dog. Let your dog get used to having wet paws. When teaching a dog to swim it s best to start in a shallow area where you can walk beside your pet.

Hold the pup or dog with one hand under her belly. Helpline trainer breanne long shares some tips on introducing your dog to the water so they have a. Teaching your dog how to sit on command is one of the simplest behaviors you can teach and it s usually the first command in basic obedience training. If you have anxiety about swimming you are also likely to pass on your fears to your student no matter how well meaning you are.

Get your dog used to the water before trying swimming. Once they feel comfortable with this they can try flutter kicking while floating away from the wall. Put on the dog life jacket attach the leash and walk slowly into the water. Making downward scooping motions with his fingers together he should dig through the water while kicking his feet much like a dog or a horse might swim.

Wade out to waist deep water. Once they get foundational training teach your pup how to take a bow it s an amazing trick that is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Finally teach them to swing each arm straight back over their head and. Have fun while learning the dog paddle by searching for videos of dogs swimming online.