Swimming Doodle Question

[Carol and Banjo]

We've been spending these hot days on the lake trying to keep cool.   Before heading out on the boat I let Banjo swim off the beach tethered to a 30' leash.   He loves swimming and pretty much stays close by.  But each time we're there at some point he'll just head out, paddling straight out to the end of the 30' at which point I call him back, gently pulling the leash in my direction.     My question is.....do dogs have a natural instinct as to "how much is too much"?    I wonder how far he would swim off shore if he weren't on leash.....and would he turn around and swim back before getting too tired?     Are dogs "drown proof"?       I know I'm being over protective with him and worry about just letting him swim "untethered".

Once done swimming we get on the boat and head out onto the lake, dropped the anchor and spend time reading, talking, eating and swimming.     We used to "lower"  Banjo down out of the boat using the "handle" on the back of his life vest.  (He wears this at all times in the boat).   He didn't seem to like this too much and so we've stopped doing it.....but he clearly wants to get in the water when I'm in swimming around.....he constantly balances and gets up on the edges of the boat....just trying to gather the courage to jump in....as you can see by the pic here.    So far no-go though!

[Jess and Pippin]

Yes, dogs can definitely drown.  Pippin is learning to swim in a pool.  He is quite strong in the water, but still has a way to go to develop muscle and strength (he is 7 months).  He does well with a life vest, but cannot swim far without it due to the weight of his long, waterlogged coat that almost pulled him right under.  (Tip I learned from a trainer was to leave the life vest on even for stong swimmers as it makes the dogs easier to see for other boaters).  I don't know if the dogs can self limit their swimming.  I don't think they would be able to figure out to leave enough energy to get back to the starting point.  We were at a beach a couple of weeks ago, on the banks of the Fraser River (huge river and the water is really high and running fast).  A couple of dogs started to try to swim across (good 1/2 mile) and would have been pulled downstream by the current.  Fortunately, the dogs were able to be called back to shore by their owner (who was calm but we could tell quite upset that the dogs might be washed down river) because they were more interested in the toy that she had than making it to the other side.  Love the picture of Banjo!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I would certainly think dogs could drown. Even Olympic swimmers could drown in the wrong circumstances. I don't trust that dogs would have any way of knowing they have swum too far to make it safely back to shore or a boat, ot that they would know what to do in a rip current.

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

Dogs can certainly drown - and most flat faced dogs like bulldog and pugs can't swim at all.

 

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

Forgot to add - Banjo looks so cute looking so eagerly at the water!

[Carol and Banjo]

Thanks Cindy.......it's pretty funny to watch him trying to make himself jump in.     That's why we keep the vest on him.....just in case he decides to make the leap.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I've seen a few dogs have trouble swimming. Actually many at our local park.

There was a doodle at our local dog swim park.  I thought the owners were being too protective of the dog by insisting it wear its' life jacket at all times.  After all, they are natural water dogs. I thought to myself.  But the problem was BALL OBSESSION/ and sinking toy obsession.

The dog would not give up until it got the ' right' ball--his ball or would dive down after a sunken toy and NEVER resurface.

The owners looked on in horror as they waited for this doodle to resurface.

A life vest put an end to their problems.

If it has lungs, it can drown.

 

 

 

[Carol and Banjo]

I guess I figured that under extraordinary circumstances a dog could drown....being swept away by storm water or a rushing river.  But in quiet waters and going off shore of it's own volition it could/would "self-regulate".   But put this way.....and knowing how some dogs can be obsessed with certain things...I can see how a dog could get into serious trouble.      I think I'll be keeping the leash on!

[F.J. ~ Spud's Buddy]

When we take Spud and Starlit to swim I love to see Spud swim out for a ball,but always keep an eye on him to make sure he is ok . I am also ready to go in after him if he gets into any trouble . Starlit on the other hand is more of a wader but still bears watching . We did see a Husky one day that was Chasing ducks that just kept swimming out of his reach , It swam for at least 45 minutes straight with no trouble but it looked like it did that often

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

May I send Spud with you for a week visit?  You know, like a doggie visit camp.

Here he is as a lifeguard.   What is scarey is this dog did finally swim and did a good job but many at our dog park are not this good at all.

SAVE ME VIDEO

[Carol and Banjo]

OMD!    Spud....you are so wonderful.....swimming out to lend a helping paw!    At first I thought all that splashing around was a fish caught in the dog's mouth!   I've never seen a dog "dog paddle" that way!    Come on up Spud...maybe you could show Banjo how to jump outta the boat!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

It was a Frisbee.  The problem at this swim park are  Frisbees and they sink.  The Frisbee obsessed dog will NOT give up on the toy.  They will sink with the frisbee in thier mouth rather than give it up.

When FJ and I see Frisbees we hide them as best as we can. 

[Linda and Murphy]

Yes, dogs can drown. A neighbor's St. Bernard drowned in our bayou when I was a kid.