Swimming Puppies

[Rita]

Hey everyone. My lab-mix puppy, Ben, is near 16 weeks old now. I remember reading somewhere that labs love to swim. We have a above-ground 4ft deep pool in our back yard, and we have recently began pondering letting him swim in the pool. Of course someone will be in the pool to watch him and get him out if he starts having trouble. And since the pool is above ground and he's never allowed out unsupervised anyway, it's not like he'll start jumping into the pool every chance he gets. I suppose my main question is whether or not it is good for him. Like....what about the water that's bound to get in his ears? Or the fact that the water has chlorine in it and it'll be near impossible to stop him licking/drinking the water?

Thanks for your time! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Laila]

I think you should be able to allow him to swim but start now while he is young teaching him not to drink the pool water.As far as the water in the ears thing i think that as long as you clean his ears when you get out it should be fine.Is there any way you could spray him with a hose or wipe him down with a wet cloth after swimming.I only ask this because I am unsure about the effects of chlorine on his skin and coat.If it was me I would let him in though.Have fun! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Dawn]

He "probably" won't want to drink the pool water. I also suggest a good rinse off after a swim. You should get some ear cleaner to rinse his ears out with.

[PixelQ]

I was at the dentist the other day - the dental hygenist was talking about her dogs swimming in the pool.

She said that it was necessary to teach the dogs pool safety. Mainly show the dogs how to get out of the pool.

[Rita]

We dipped little Ben into the pool a few weeks ago (he recently went on a little roadtrip for 10 days...=P). Anyway, he didn't freak out or anything...and will be a doggy olympic freak swimmer. He's so fast. Our pool is pretty small, so we have this wood plank thing that he can hang onto to catch his breath. Then we push him out to the other end of the pool and wait until he wants to jump in. Once he jumps in it's -****- for us to get the plank back to the other end for him to climb on.

We gave him his rountine bath afterwards and now he just seems fine...he's teething and spelling doom for my poor knees and hands...but otherwise fine.

Thanks for the help!

[DogExpert]

I am not sure about this in a whole, but I think that it is fine to let your dog into the pool, it will teach him how to swim. Afterall when humans accidently swollow chlorine water there isn't any effects.