Dog Summer Safety: 3 Tips To Keep Your Dog Safe While Swimming

Whether you just adopted a new dog or you have had your pooch for years, now is a good time to learn how to keep your dog safe when you are frolicking together in a pool, lake, or ocean. Whether you have a hard time keeping your dog out of the water or he only likes an occasional dip, follow these tips to make sure your dog stays safe and that you know what to do if he does get himself into trouble. 

1. Never Leave Your Dog Unattended in the Water

If you are swimming in the pool in your back yard with your dog and the phone rings inside the house, you may be tempted to leave him for just a second to answer the telephone. That phone call could then turn into a conversation that takes your attention fully away from your dog that may not have the ability to climb out of the water when he becomes tired. 

Even if your dog is a strong swimmer, never leave him alone in your pool or other body of water, as dogs become tired after swimming, just as people do. Once he tires out, he needs you to take him out of the pool so he can take a break. 

2. Know if Your Dog's Breed is Among the Worst Swimmers

This tip is especially important if you just adopted a new dog and plan to take him for a swim with you soon. Some dog breeds are just not good swimmers, and it is important to know if your dog is one of those breeds. If he is, then it is likely best to just let him play around the pool while you take a dip, because even if he can swim, he may not enjoy it. 

Bulldogs are in the group, not surprisingly, as are many other dogs that have stocky bodies and noses that are difficult to keep out of the water as they swim. Corgis and dachshunds have trouble swimming because of  their short legs. While most dogs can learn to enjoy the water a bit, it is best not to push your dog to do anything that may endanger his health, and swimming can if he inhales too much water. 

3. Know What to Do if Your Dog Appears to Be Drowning

Even if you follow all of the rules and supervise your dog when he is in the water, you should always be prepared for an emergency in case he sneaks into the back-yard to take a dip on his own or gets water inside his lungs for any reason. 

If you find your dog unconscious, first hold him completely upside down for up to twenty seconds to get all of the water out of his lungs that you can. Then, lie him down and begin giving him full CPR if he has no pulse or, if he does have a pulse, give him artificial respiration's by holding his mouth shut and blowing into his nose. 

It is then critical to get him to a veterinary clinic immediately for life-saving treatment. Even if he seems back-to-normal after the incident, he needs a complete examination to rule out any further problems caused by the drowning. 

Follow these tips to keep your dog safe in and around the water this summer. Just remember to follow similar water-safety rules with your dog as you would with a small child to make sure no accidents occur. 

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