All Dogs CANNOT Swim

[tia's mom]

Please learn from my heartaches, because I have lost two dogs to drowning and want to save others from that pain. I wanted to get the word out to everyone about the potential of drowning for dogs, even though most people think all dogs can swim. NOT TRUE!! I have lost two dogs to drowning and although it has been a year ago for one and several years ago for the other, I still cry.

How can I let everyone know that they cannot assume their dogs know how to swim.

My first experience was with my 14 year old lhasa. I think she had a seizure and fell into our pool and I found her. It was dark outside and we had let her out for the last time before going to bed.

The other experience was with my maltese's puppy. He was a year old. All of them were playing outside and he got too close to the pool. I spent 15 minutes trying to revive him, but it didn't work. I feel extremely guilty every time I think about him, because he was only 3 pounds and was really my baby.

When I tell people this story, they look at me like I am crazy...all dogs swim!!! That is so NOT true, and I want to save someone else the pain and grief I have experienced.

Needless to say I refuse to ever have another swimming pool.

 

[bubbatd]

I'm so sorry for your losses . Pups , like children , have to be watched around a pool .

 

[Doberluv]

I am so sorry for your pain and your loss. That has to be one of the worst things to have happen. Thank you for the warning.

I know some dogs have builds that make them have a difficult time staying afloat and swimming. Most dogs, however do have an innate ability to swim if something doesn't prevent them from swimming or swimming to safety. I knew someone whose two Peeks feel into their pool and couldn't get back out. There was no one home and no place for them to step out of the pool. They both drowned. Very, very sad. Pools would be particularly dangerous if there is no way for the dog to get out or he doesn't know how. And of course, going unconscious, as with a seizure, that would certainly cause the dog to not be able to swim if he ends up in the water. I feel for you. What an awful thing.

My two Chihuahuas swim beautifully. I was amazed when I put them in the lake at the end of a dock. It was their first time....no flailing or splashing like a lot dogs do at the very first. They just swam to shore and they were level and really covered the distance quickly and smoothly. My Doberman wouldn't get in past his knees for all the knuckle bones in the world. But I'm sure he is able to swim.

I think Bulldogs and some other heavy, short legged type of breeds probably can't swim. But they all pretty much instinctively and reflexively will begin to doggie paddle when put into water.

Again, so sorry for your loss.

 

[tia's mom]

Please spread the word that they can't assume all dogs swim. My dogs had easy access out of the pool, but couldn't do it. I had even trained the dogs to stay away from the pool; but when they were chasing one another, they didn't pay attention to where they were. I was only 20' away and still couldn't get there in time. SO PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!!!

 

[Buddy'sParents]

I'm sorry for your losses.

The thing is, dogs, much like babies, need to be supervised, especially around a body of water that they are not comfortable with. Then, as pet owners, it is our job to further protect them from that or to teach them how to swim.

 

[mjb]

We have also spent alot of time teaching our dog to swim for the steps and climb out. The first summer he hopped in the pool, we would sit and watch him struggle to get out at the sides that he couldn't possibly climb out of. I wanted to scoop him out, but my husband would always sit on the steps and insist that he come out that way. Now when we're outside, he often jumps in, swims a lap, and then climbs out the steps.

We also know that he has to be supervised just like our children. Something we can't think of could prevent him from getting to the steps.

 

[misticaleclipse]

Thats sad, but to be honest with a pool and after loosing my first dog by drowning to pool either would have been gone or their would have been a fence around it.

 

[squirtsmom]

I really didnt know that. Made the assumption that they could. Will be careful down at Daytona Beach this next week. taking my poodle.

 

[Beanie]

Even some dogs who can swim can have major problems... before I was born, our childhood collie Happy nearly drowned. He jumped into a lake to swim around, and his fur got so wet and so heavy nobody expected him to make it to the edge to climb out. My dad was about to jump in after him to save him when he managed to rally his strength and get out.

Fences around pools are so valuable even if you don't have children. And if you do have children, or an escape artist dog, PLEASE put a lock on the gate! A friend of mine nearly lost her young child because they forgot to lock the gate one day. The story haunts me, and I am sure she will NEVER get the image of her daughter in the pool out of her head...

 

[pitbullpony]

I would also add; watch all dogs closely near bodies of water that have unlevel bottoms.
My old APBT Indy could swim just fine when he was a pup, would swim in the canal, the quarry, ponds, the weir; whereever, no problems.

When he matured, he got too muscle dense and didn't float anymore, I wasn't aware that he was having problems until he was swimming in a pond at a horse show, the kids were throwing a stick for him and he lost sight of it in the water, and he was getting lower and lower, actually going under, still struggling to find the stick.

I called him out, and he swam fine; but couldn't "tread" water anymore.
From then on, he was supervised around water with uneven ground; but could go swim at the lake and quarry, but we made sure to not tire him out; same deal, he would have had a hard time swimming to shore tired; since he wasn't bouyant.

 

[RD]

I think if someone has a pool, it's important to do test-runs with the dog IN the pool to make sure they not only know how to swim, but know where to get out. I don't know how people can have a pool and never teach their dog about it - they'd teach their kids about it!

Our pool is unfenced and our dogs are around it all the time. Even the 5lb Papillon knows to swim for the steps if he jumps in. Supervision is important with swimming pools, but supervision is important when a dog is outside, period. If the dog doesn't fall in the pool it could be bit by a snake or get caught in the fence.

 

[mrose_s]

i agree all dogs can't swim.

our last house had a pool. we taught all the dogs best we could where the steps were. so just incase they fell in, they could goto the steps, buster, harry and mac knew it well.

sophie just panicked everytime we got her in so we just amde sure she couldn't get near.

 

[smkie]

I think it isn't so much a matter that they cant swim as they can't get over the edge of the pool. I am terribly sorry for both of your losses. Even birds will drown in water tanks for the same reason. They can't lift their bodies over the edge. A ramp with slats nailed down on it so they can get a foot hold at some point in a body of water will allow any animal that falls in to get itself out. So if you do have a pool or a large body of water that had a lip to the edge needs to have this added. For water tanks hardware cloth can be cut and put over the side. THat way birds can get a foot hold and save themselves from this type of death.

 

[mrose_s]

thats a good idea. we found so many poor dead birds in our horse trough when we would go to check on them

 

[Dizzy]

I ALWAYS take off Bo's collar when she is near water.

She can swim, but all it takes if for her collar to catch on a twig or something, and she would be done for.

Always make sure dogs swim naked!

 

[ACooper]

I am sorry for your loss, it is a sad thing to lose a pet.

I know I was surprised to find out that greyhounds have problems swimming.........I have seen it posted before, and a friend of mine has had to jump in a save hers repeatedly because this dog loves the water, but can't swim a lick.

 

[carlar]

The main problem with dogs and pools is that most of the time they cannot find a way to get out. There are ramps and steps now just for pets. You have to train them to use them to get out of the pool. Plus I think you should introduce your pet to the pool when you are right there to help them. Just as if they were a child, teach them to swim and make sure that they can get out of the pool if they are alone. You wouldn't allow a child access to a pool, why allow your pet to be in an unsafe area.

 

[mrose_s]

mac was amazing wiht the pool. she is such a strong little dog. she'sd swim over to the edge and just haul herself out of the water. i cant believe how strong she is.

 

[Spirit2010]

Oh wow... Sorry for your loss! Thanks for the warning too.. We have two kids, my niece and nephew, so now we have be careful about the new puppy taking a dive.. (because of the kids..) But thank you for the warning, and again, I am very sorry about your loss.