How to Get a Dog to Swim

While you may think your dog knows how to swim, not all breeds of dogs come equipped with the knowledge of being instant swimmers. If you are introducing your dog into the water for the first time, you'll need to take careful steps to acclimate it to the water. Rushing into teaching your dog how to swim can make your dog become fearful of water. It will help to initially teach your dog in a swimming pool before taking your dog to larger bodies of water such as a lake.

Things You'll Need

Swimming pool
Dog life vest
Dog treats
Potted plant
Dog pool ramp
Life preserver
Rope

Instructions

- 1
  
  Use treats as a form of encouragement.
  
  Fit your dog with a dog life jacket, which can help your dog's head stay above the surface of the water. Introduce your dog into your pool in the shallow end. Use a dog treat to encourage your dog into the water, recommends the American Kennel Club.
- 2
  Place a potted plant by your pool steps. This will help your dog understand that it enters and leaves the pool at the steps, according to the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. In pools without steps, use a dog pool ramp to facilitate your dog's entry and exit.
- 3
  Assist your dog in the water. Some dogs only use their front paws to paddle in the water, resulting in lopsided swimming. Holding your dog level in the water will help it use its rear paws to travel through the water.
- 4
  
  Train your dog with words.
  
  Instruct your dog by using voice commands. Words such as "Swim" and "Come" will teach your dog when it should swim and when it should come back towards you after swimming.
- 5
  
  Keep flotation devices by your pool.
  
  Attach a life preserver to a rope that you can toss to your dog if your dog begins to panic in the water. A panicked dog will unintentionally pull you under the water if it panics. If your dog begins to flail in the water, pull in your dog with the life preserver before attempting to remove your dog from the water.