2007-06-30 11:05:52 · 13 answers · asked by iNeedhelp 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
most dogs instinctually know how to swim, some are excellent swimmers, some know how to doggy paddle enough not to drown.
I have a PON, which is a long haired herding breed, and you wouldnt guess the PON to be a good swimmer, but she is quite excellent, loves it and we swim together 2-3 times a week.
We play a game in the pool; I toss the tennis ball and then we race to the ball...you've gotta swim hard and fast to get up and or beat her to the ball.
try it...could be a good source of exercise for both dog and master...have fun!
2007-06-30 11:15:09 · answer #1 · answered by xbahn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most Retrievers take to the water naturally but then I have had to teach some Golden's how to swim properly. Don't assume that all dogs can swim some can't because their bodies just are not meant for swimming.
2007-06-30 11:20:38 · answer #2 · answered by ♥Golden gal♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It comes to them naturally. (This is where we get the term "dog paddle"!)
However some breeds love water and others not so much.
Labs love water so much they will swim until they get "dead tail" which is extremely painful for them.
Dachshunds on the other hand have a hard time of it because their legs are so short.
2007-06-30 11:11:13 · answer #3 · answered by Karen W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They naturally know how - all mammals do. Humans are the only ones who have lost this instinct - and some monkeys/apes too apparently.
Still, no need to freak a dog out by dumping him in deep water! Let him access to a safe lake or whatever, see what he want to do.
Chalice
2007-06-30 11:51:22 · answer #4 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most dogs can naturally swim, so you don't exactly have to TEACH them.
Just make sure to watch them at all times, some are not too good.
2007-06-30 11:14:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
the only breed I know of that cant swim is the bulldog, and that is because of their mass and body shape.
Dogs instinctively know how to swim, but may be uncomfortable in the water at first. If that is the case, introduce him slowly to the water, get in with him, pour the water on top of him, slowly PLACE him in (if you throw him in it will only make him more scared of it!). soon he should love it
ERIN SUZY: OH MY GOD!!!!! human babies DO NOT know instictivly how to swim!!!!! I hope you never have children!!!!!
2007-06-30 11:41:32 · answer #6 · answered by Nurse Autumn Intactivist NFP 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most dogs can swim. Some not very well.
2007-06-30 11:10:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Natural, some dogs love it some dogs hate it
2007-06-30 11:08:36 · answer #8 · answered by Amanda W 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they know naturally how to swim.
My dogs were scared of the water the first time they went near it.
I know it sounds mean, but i was told by a vet to do this...
We took our dogs when they had finished all their immunisations and literally threw them in the lake, obviously not hard or far (they're not a ball!) but because we threw them, they had to swim to get back to us!
Now they love the water and we have trouble getting the buggers out of it!!!
2007-06-30 11:12:14 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some seem to know, but not all. I've seen a rhodesian ridgeback sink like a stone, we had to rescue him. And he was BIG.
First time your dog tries the wet element, supervise and be ready to step in if he gets in a little too deep!
2007-06-30 11:11:29 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋