Swimming in the Ocean??

[Wendy and Myla]

I have read that many of your doodles swim in the ocean.  We are going to the ocean with Myla and she is a swimmer (at least in fresh water-we can't get her out) and we are curious to see how she responds to salt water.  BUT while just reading a list of poisonous foods for pets it states that salt is poisonous (which I knew) but that one source that surprises pet owners is swallowing too much ocean water!  Has anyone had a problem with this and how do I know if she swallows water and how much?  Now I'm worried.....

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yes allowing dogs to drink ocean water makes them get explosive diarrhea and they can get very ill. I have seen dogs get sick once on one of our beach romps. On the other hand the rest of the dogs have been fine. We make sure to have lots of fresh water and to offer ot often. Not too many of the dogs actually swim in the ocean but they more often wade or run in and out.
Here is a good article:
http://www.vetinfo.com/dogs-drinking-salt-water.html#b

[Murph and Me]

The Murph lives in the water on our visits to the shore. And his poop does tend to "soften up" afterwards. But we keep the fresh water out for him and try to fill him up before he gets in the salt water. He also loves to dig in the sand which makes him one filthy, but very happy dog. We also dry out his ears afterwards and put some cleanout drops just to make sure his ears stay in good shape. Enjoy the beach and enjoy your dog having a long sleep afterwards. It really knocks them out.

[Bonnie and Kona]

We just moved to Hawaii. We have had to train the dogs to drink fresh water instead of the salt water. It took vigilance on our part. I hope you keep a close eye on your doodle. Both of our dogs not only run and jump over the waves to fetch toys, they swim out to us or just swim for the fun of it... Owen more than Kona but both will swim around. Owen threw up once and Kona had diarrhea once in the two months we have lived here. Don't be scared. Just be careful. Give your doodle water and offer it often at the beach. If you catch her drinking ocean water, say "no" and take her to the fresh water source you provide. Our guys drink from a collapsible water bowl. I have seen people take a small cooler filled with fresh water and encourage their dogs to drink it often.

[Wendy and Myla]

Do you rinse off your dogs with fresh water after swimming all the time? 

[Bonnie and Kona]

Yes, I do.

[Jennifer and Jack]

My. Mom and I had these amazing plans of bringing Molly and Jack to the each to play.....we got up super early one day..got to the beach.....we let them play...Jack doesn't go in the water Molly did...she was just a puppy..she had massive explosive diarrhea almost instantly.....and threw up....I didn't know salt water was dangerous as I used to bring Jack all the time but he didn't go in the water....I felt,horrible because my mom depended in me ....she was fine afterwards..but we won't ever do that again...


That was also the day I was going to,use my rand new fancy camera that I got as a gift and I dropped it in the sand and scratched it before I ever used it.

[Wendy and Myla]

Wow, that just wasn't your day!  Poor Molly - glad she felt better afterward!

[Lynda Kamrath]

My dogs are at the ocean frequently and Harpo will drink a little water but if he gets too much he throws up.  I don't encourage them to go in the water, but they love to run and play in the surf.  I just keep them on leash if I don't have time for baths after our trip to the beach.  I worry about the rip tides because even though I am a very good swimmer, I would not go in the ocean after a dog who gets in trouble with a rip tide.  So...it is kind of like taking your children to the beach.  Would you tell them to stay out of the water?  Why go to the beach if you don't want to get wet.  My friend had a lab who she would not take to the beach because she was afraid he would get in the water.  A lab?  Of course he would.

BTW, I gave my dogs swimming lessons at a canine rehab facility so they would know how to swim in a pool or lake.  They learn first of all how to get in and out of the pool using the steps.  Then they learn how to fetch and play.  My dogs don't "swim" in the ocean, but they love to play in the water and Harpo loves to roll in the wet sand (and anything else on the beach).  Use your good judgment and keep her in control but let her have some fun and be a dog.

[Wendy and Myla]

Thank you all for your replies!  I will be sure to bring lots of fresh water with me!  and watch to make sure she doesn't actually drink the salt water.  I am back to being super excited again!

[Wendy and Sully]

We lived at the beach until Sully was 3. He would play fetch with the tennis ball and then run out in the surf and lay down for a couple minutes to cool off. We always brought fresh water along, but he frequently drank the ocean water. I asked the vet if the ocean water would harm him and was told he may just get diarrhea. I guess we were lucky because he never got diarrhea after at romp on the beach. Every dog is different. Maybe some tolerate it better than others. I wouldn't worry too much.