10 Tips for Taking Your Dog Swimming in a Lake or River

[Sheila & Finnley]

 

 

http://www.dogtipper.com/tip/2013/08/tips-lake-river-swimming-dogs....

10 Tips for Taking Your Dog Swimming in a Lake or River

 

We love taking our dogs swimming during the hot summer months! They’ve enjoyed trips to lakes and rivers as well as the beach and always enjoy swimming.

For all the fun that swimming with your dog brings, though, it also means you need to take some important precautions when taking your dog to your local river or lake. Wherever your dog is swimming, you’ll want to take safety precautions including:

1. Beware of stagnant water. As water flows slow late in the summer, rivers and lakes can become stagnant…and dangerous. Among other dangers, warm weather always brings a rise in the risk of encountering brain-eating amoeba most often found in hot, stagnant water. Avoid small bodies of water that’s not moving.
2. Watch out for blue-green algae. Hot weather also means a bloom of blue-green algae on many lakes and ponds. This algae is toxic for dogs and can be fatal.
3. Consider a life jacket. Dog life jackets are a must for boating dogs but they’re also recommended if your dog is an unsure swimmer. (Plus your dog will just be so cute in it!) On that same note, keep your dog away from any dangerous currents in fast-flowing streams.
4. Watch for water snakes. Living on a creek in Texas, we’re accustomed to keeping an eye out for water moccasins but water snakes can be found just about anywhere. Keep a close eye on your dog so he’s not nosing around holes in riverbanks or lakeshores.
5. Bring fresh water for your dog. Yes, your dog will want to drink lake or river water but he’s safer drinking water that you bring from home. You’ll not only reduce his risk of running into potentially bad bacteria and parasites like giardia but also reduce the chance of minor tummy troubles.
6. Watch for glass and metal. Just as our feet do when they’re wet for an extended period, dog paws get soft when they’re swimming–making them even more susceptible to getting cut by broken glass and metal.
7. Carry a first aid kit. Accidents happen, whether it’s a cut paw or a thorn in a paw.
8. Dry your dog’s ears. Water in your dog’s ears–especially floppy ears–can lead to ear infections. If your dog has been prone to ear infections, talk with your vet about an ear cleaning solution you can carry on your swimming trips.
9. Dry your dog’s fur. Wet fur on the drive home can make your dog more prone to hot spots and other skin issues. If you have access to fresh water, it’s great to rinse your dog off then dry him before the trip home.
10. Check your dog head to tail. Once you’re home, brush out your dog and do a good head to tail check looking for ticks, cuts, thorns, and any potential problems.

Taking your dog to a river or lake can be a great way to make summer memories…and you’ll wind up with one cool canine on these hot summer days!

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Thanks Sheiila, no wonder we stay home a lot.

[Sheila & Finnley]

F, I'd stay home if I lived in NJ. It's too hot to go out there ! Not like Texas hot, but pretty hot by my terms ! Haha

[F, Calla & Luca]

Hey, we just had 2 weeks of great weather,no AC. But today I had o turn it on. At least we don't have 45 weeks of winter.

[Sheila & Finnley]

Finnley, and I are hearty winter folk (more or less). Sure, after the 45th week it can get on the nerves just a bit, but we rally through ! ;)

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

Thank you!!

[Heather & Brinkley]

The reasons listed in this article are why I struggle with taking Brinkley to the lake we have nearby.  It's a man-made lake with a 2 mile walking path around the perimeter.  Brinkley loves to swim; however, our beaches are 1) not dog friends; 2) way too crowded in the summer anyway; 3)  Brinkley likes to take off down the beach because it's a long stretch of land-- and he doesn't like to turn-around.  

He won't get in a pool, so I'm not sure how to foster his love of water.  

[Sheila & Finnley]

Buy the biggest plastic kiddie swimming pool you can find. He can get right in an lay down ! No real swimming, but still makes a happy doodle !

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

There has been blue green algae spotted here on LI.  We have taken a break from dog park and the lake for a few months-Quincy still got diarrhea!  but he's better now and we are still going to avoid the risk until it hopefully is safer.  

thanks for the article and tips, Sheila!

[Breanna]

Can swimming make the fur get matted? I wanted to take my puppy in the swimming pool but I didn't know if it was okay yet for her skin and fur.