For all the energy that Boston Terriers seem to have, you would think that they could be capable of anything. However, many owners state that they have one who loves the water but cannot seem to swim. Is this possible? We are often told that most animals, even those that hate the water, can swim when they need to. Therefore, we have to ask if it is okay to put terriers in the pool.

The Doggie Paddle

We all tend to believe that every dog can swim from the moment it is born. In some cases, this is accurate. Some dogs love the water and their owners often have a hard time keeping them dry if there is a swimming pool nearby. You will notice this mostly with spaniels, retrievers, poodles, and even Kerry Blue Terriers. Other dogs, like the basset hound, dachshund, Boston terrier, bulldogs, and greyhounds; they will more closely resemble a rock in water unless you put forth the effort to teach them.

Teaching a Dog to Swim

If you have a dog that loves the water, you will not have to put much effort into getting them to swim. However, it is important that you teach them a few things. Your water-loving K-9 will benefit from knowing not only how to get into the pool, but how to get out of it. Show them where the steps are located. For terriers, you will want to keep in mind a few swimming pool basics. Whether they can swim or not, they may jump into the pool. You will want to teach them how to swim. To do this, you will first want to coax them into the water with treats and encouraging words. Once they are in the pool with you, you will want to hold their body up until they start to do the doggie paddle. As they get into a good rhythm, you can slowly take away your support while encouraging them to keep going. When they have the hang of it, they may swim around in circles, but you should call them toward the steps so that they are aware of how to get out of the pool.

Swimming Safety

Much the same as children, your beloved pooch will need to be watched over when they go swimming. You would not want to risk anything bad happening to them because they could not find their way back to the stairs or the shore. It may also be a good idea to have a pet life vest for them when you venture out to the lake or beach. It will ensure that your pet isn’t too caught up in the fun of swimming and end up out far enough away that they cannot find their way back to you. When you are not home, you should take precautions to keep your pet away from the pool area to further ensure their safety. As for all of us, water can be a lot of fun, but it can also be very dangerous for pets who may simply want to have a little fun.