It may come as a surprise, that not every dog is born a great swimmer. Yes they can swim, but swimming confidently and enjoying the water can take time and patience, even if you have a breed that is designed for the water, like Manuka is. And one important key, is start young.
It is helpful to introduce puppies to water in their socialisation period between 6 and 16 weeks of age. This can be in the backyard with a paddle pool, at the beach or in the bath.
Keeping their first experiences fun and light hearted, and involving play is helpful for puppies as they build confidence.
We started Manuka swimming at Dog Overboard at around 18 weeks. She had been in the water several times and was getting used to the idea of swimming.
But surprisingly, she didn’t love the water in the pool at first.
Being supported with a life jacket in the beginning helps to keep your puppy stable and secure and in water support is crucial to feeling safe.
And if at first your dog doesn’t love it, I am here to encourage you to keep going! Persevering in the pool was key for us. Manuka didn’t learn to swim without support for a few months. We were swimming quite regularly and it took time. But the rewards for persistence are enormous.
She is now confident in the water, loves to swim…and I can exercise her in some of the beautiful waterways around Lake Macquarie, knowing she can swim for several minutes at a stretch without any problem.
The benefit for her joints is enormous. Dogs with hip dysplasia and arthritis often find it hard to get enough exercise because of joint pain. But when their body weight is supported in the water, they can get a great aerobic workout in less than half the time of a regular walk.
The other great benefit of water is that the joints are supported through a fuller range of movement. It is easier to get full extension of the hips when swimming, compared to walking on flat ground.
Once again, I will say, arthritis is a move it or lose it disease. If you don’t move your joints to their full extent, the range of motion declines, and in the hip joint, this is extension. Without full hip extension, your dog loses power, and starts to find it harder to stretch out at full pace.
Swimming is definitely one way your dog can keep their movement into old age and stay fit in the process….and live their best life.
