How do doodles (dogs) learn to swim?

[jenn D]

We are contemplating getting a pool due to my son's orthopedic needs. We have a area already sectioned off with a 6 foot fence so that might be its spot so doodles and my son cannot get to it randomly. But pools got me thinking about dogs and I was wondering how do dogs learn to swim? I don't think my doods will ever get into that pool (I buying them their own shallow pool for summer) but I was wondering. I know some people let their dogs in their pool but I can't imagine that going over well here.

[BG and Gavin]

Gavin wades into the water to cool off, but he does not like to go over his head.  In fact as the water gets deeper, he tries to walk on his back feet to keep his head above water, which is quite hilarious due to the fact he is so tall.  When we anchor the boat in deep water, we put a life vest on him so he can float around and we have a good handle to lift him back into the boat.  We will tie him off to a cleat with a boat line so he doesn't get too far away.

[Lynda Kamrath]

They rather know how to swim naturally, but need to know how to get into and out of a pool and to fetch things and play in a pool safely.   I actually have a swim lesson planned for Zeppo on Sunday and then a "free swim" for all three dogs after that.  My other two have already had lessons.   It is at a canine therapy center attached to a veterinary hospital, and you have to have medical records and permission from the vet for them to use the therapy pool.

[Lynda Kamrath]

I might suggest that when you are planning your pool, you also plan a little dog wash area with good drainage near the pool.  It is great to be able to give them a wash after coming out of the pool or maybe even before going into the pool.   And you would want to wash off any chemicals that you may use in the pool water.  Here are some photos of the therapy pool where our dogs swim and the dog wash area at the pool.

[F, Calla & Luca]

ThAt looks great.

[Julie, Eloise & Beasley]

That looks like a great place, Lynda

[Julie, Eloise & Beasley]

I agree that they naturally know how.  Eloise loves the water, but she's needed "encouragement" getting in.  She loves splashing and "digging" at the water.  Her first time swimming was at my aunt's pond - you could tell she really wanted to get in the water but didn't understand how to do it.  I kept trying to lead her in but she wouldn't go, so I finally helped with a shove.  It was shallow, and she just swam right back to the shore.  She didn't seem to love it then - she preferred to keep splashing and pawing at the rocks.  

The next time was in a swimming pool, and she LOVED that.  Again, she couldn't figure out how to get in - we tried walking her down the steps, starting at the shallow end, etc.  She's pretty much a big scaredy-cat, but desperately wanted in the water.  So again, she got a helpful shove - and as a bonus, there were a bunch of people who started cheering for her, lol - and she started swimming right away.  We just guided her to the steps to get out (but she kept trying to pull herself up on the side first!)  She was jumping in and leaping after balls in no time, then she'd swim to the steps to do it again.  She was like a kid who doesn't want to get out of the pool! 

[Julie, Eloise & Beasley]

Ellie, you have to use the STEPS!  We taught her and she caught on right away.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Dogs generally know how to swim as soon as they get in the water.  Roo went in the water immediately upon arriving home at 10 weeks.  No problems, except he scared me to death and I had to get in the water ( December- brrr!) to show him the steps.  Tigger had to be coaxed in, but started dog paddling right away.  Both loved to swim in the pool at our old house.  The dogs and I will really miss it in the heat this summer.  Way better than walking when it is 100+!

They both love going to the beach at the ocean.  Roo tends to go in too far, Tigger seems to know where he is okay.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

MOST dogs instinctively know how to swim. At first the doggie paddle they do will be all splashes and see very clumsy like. With practice, their doggie paddle becomes smooth and easy. Having said that, we had friends whose Golden Retriever just could never learn to swim and sank like a rock! I had never seen anything like it!
Most dogs do not like where they can not touch bottom. They have no depth perception and don't understand the concept. Our dogs have always swam in our pools and the deep ess does not bother them. Our Golden didn't know what do do at a River we went to. Touching bottom was a new concept for him!
Make sure you teach your dogs how to get out of a pool. Another friend's puppy drown in their pool. Those legs can only tread water for so long....they should be taught whete steps are,no matter what!
Enzo lives our pool and spends hours in it.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I do believe they all innately know how to swim, but they either like it or they don't. Murphy is part fish, jumps in with a flying leap into our pool, dives under water to fetch pool toys and just likes to walk in to cool off anytime he likes.
He started in creeks, graduated to ponds, then pool and then ocean. LOVED the ocean and did body surfing on his own the first week he went in. Bella has to be coerced in and comes to us, turns right around and swims right back to the step. Not a fan of swimming at all.
We actually designed our pool with both little grandbabies and dogs in mind.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

I do think it's instinct too and comes down to if they like it or not. We have an in ground pool that they can easily jump in, but neither one will. Jack LOVES to get on a raft with me holding it and float around and get a little wet that way or he loves splashing on the steps leading into the pool. Jilly wouldn't go near it last summer. She's only 1 and will be 2 this summer, so we'll see how she likes it this year. Good luck on your decision!