Living by the beach I have taught many dogs to love the water and the waves. I have also seen many times what not to do. Here is my method to get your dogs into the water this summer.
The best way to teach your dog to swim at the beach is by introducing them slowly. For pups and dogs that have not been exposed to the beach, let them experience the beach environment first, before taking them into the water. Play games on the sand and along the shoreline. Then use these games and lots of praise to slowly entice them in.
For some dogs, getting into the water can be a daunting process. However if introduced the right way this process can be fun and enjoyable for both you and your dog.
Below are some tips to get this right, so that your dog has a positive experience that allows him to build confidence in the water so he will be jumping into waves in no time.
Introducing The Beach Environment To Your Dog Slowly
Living at the beach most of my life, I have seen what happens when a person introduces the water the wrong way.
The way many people mistakenly do wrong is that, from the car, the dog is forced straight down to the water either by lead or worse, carried to the water. From here, the dog is placed into the water which, prior to this experience, he has never seen or done this before. This approach forces the dog to retreat and creates a negative experience.
This approach forces the dog to retreat and creates a negative experience, which you don’t want.
The splashing water is salty and it’s constantly moving back and forth, the sand in the water sinks beneath his paws and there are completely new smells all round. Your dog has no idea of this environment and you can understand why this might be daunting for any dog to experience this the first time.
The concept of the beach needs to be introduced slowly, the way dogs experience the world. The beach is filled with new smells and sounds and your dog wants to explore these new environments first.
Swimming at the beach is only one aspect of the beach environment. For a dog, the beach can be the most fun place as there are many things to do. Like sniffing old seaweed on the shore, digging holes in the sand, playing ball, meeting other dogs, running and splashing in the shallows.
By allowing your dog to do these other activities first before heading down to the water you would have built up your dog’s confidence in this new environment. Now it is the time to start enticing them into the water with you.
Playing Games to Help Your Dog Get Comfortable In The Water
Directly pulling your dog into the water or placing them in the water will only make them want to leave. The best way to get your dog in the water is by playing games alongside the shore line, where the water meets the sand.
Play ‘Fetch’ Along The Shore Line
Throw the ball along this stretch of sand and your dog will be more focused on the ball if the water happens to touch his toes. Use lots of praise and make it exciting for you and your dog.
Play ‘Piggy In The Middle’ Along The Shore Line
If you are with another person, get them involved and play ‘Piggy In The Middle’, with your dog in the middle. This game heightens the excitement for your dog as he wants to get to the ball before the other person does.
Play both of these games where the water meets the sand and your feet and your dog’s paws are getting wet with each approaching wave. If your dog’s attention is distracted with the water at his paws, use the game to redirect his attention back on the ball, and continue playing. You can always move away from the waves with a few steps to the side to continue playing.
Do this a few times until you can see that the water at his paws doesn’t bother him anymore. Slowly start directing the ball in the shallows, so that he has to retrieve it from the shallow water
If you are at a beach where you have to keep the leash on, I recommend getting one or two long training leashes. Where you can connect them together.
see our link for long training leashes that we recommend.
This way your dog will be leashed, but can run along freely with the leash on the ground and the other end attached to you.
Get In The Water With Your Dog
Play ‘Swim In, Swim Out‘
The next step is to try and entice him into the water where he will start to do some doggy paddle. The best method for this I have found is to play a game of swim in, swim out.
If you have two people, then you can continue playing Piggy in the Middle, however this time one person goes into the water about knee to waist height water depending on the size of your dog. You want your dog to be able to stand in the water on his back two legs at the deepest, while he starts using his front paws for doggie paddle. This will happen naturally.
So throw the ball to each other and you get in the water and encourage the dog into the water as he is coming to get the ball.
You may find that he will swim in a bit then go back to shore. If this happens you need to get closer to the shore so that he can swim to you and get the ball as a reward and then get out of the water.
What this game is doing is allowing your dog to test the water and then retreat back to ‘’safety’’ which is the shore line. He will do this many times as he is building his confidence. Using the ball as a focus is pushing him out of his comfort level a bit so he has a focus to get the ball.
He will do this many times as he is building his confidence
Play this swim in, swim out game many times and give them praise for every time they reach you in the water. You can increase the distances slightly as you see your dog’s confidence building. Eventually both and your partner will be able to play this in the water and your dog can swim between you.
How To Swim ‘Side by Side’ With Your Dog.
Once your dog is confident in the water with you, you can teach them to swim with you. This is fun to do and could be useful in the future if you find that you and your dog need to swim somewhere together.
When swimming with your dog together you may find that they like to swim into you. This is a problem as you feel their claws hitting your body causing scratches. So to teach your dog to swim side by side you need to first use a ball and create a game.
When you are both in the water, throw the ball further into the water. As your dog goes to swim to fetch the ball, you also swim next to your dog to retrieve the ball. As you are swimming with your dog, say the words ‘’Good Swim’’.
Do this each time allowing your dog getting used to swimming next to you and the command swim. Use lots of praise each time and allow them to get the ball as a reward.
You will eventually be able to do this swim command without a ball and your dog will naturally swim next to you.
How To Teach Your Dog To Jump Into Waves
My dog Snoopadoo absolutely loves jumping into waves. He gets such a thrill from it. I think what he is doing is trying to catch and hold the waves.
The way he learned to love this is that I would be with him, where he could stand in the water on all fours and when a waved approached I would use the word ‘Jump’ just before the wave hit us. He would then jump over or into the wave which he just loves this challenge.
Some points that I keep in mind when doing this activity, I’d like to share with you.
I would only do this activity if the waves are low and where they can come up to below waist deep where me and my dog can stand. If a wave comes and the water level is suddenly much higher than before your dog can rest on your knees as the level comes back down.
I would only do this if the waves are even and clean and not choppy. When the waves are clean and even you can easily identify where the rips are.
A rip or under current is where the water from the wave moves to the sides and causes a current back out to sea. Often this looks like the calmest part of the surf. However its the most dangerous.
If you and your dog are in the rip zone you can be quickly brought out to sea. So stay where the waves are crashing and you will be in control.
If you do find that you are carried out in the rip. Swim to where the waves are crashing and not back to shore. People make the mistake by trying to swim back to shore in the rip. This will only act like a treadmill and you wont get anywhere and just get tired. Swim to where the crashing waves are and the waves will bring you back to shore.
In Conclusion
Most dogs will adapt to this method of introducing the beach environment very well. Pick a calm sunny day and follow these methods. If you find that your dog has had negative experiences in the past, you may have to try these methods over a few days for them to get used to it.
Give them lots of praise when they do things right and don’t console them when they are showing signs of being scared, as this makes their anxiety worse.
Distract them with exciting language, dig holes with them, throw the ball, let them sniff and just have loads of beach fun.
