As the summer sun continues to shine, many dog owners will be taking their four legged companions to the ocean, a lake, a river or a backyard pool for a refreshing dip. Nothing beats the soaring temperatures like getting wet and having fun doing it, but canine water safety should be the utmost priority. However, remember that dogs can drown due to fatigue, quick currents, boating accidents, no access to exits and taking in water while swimming with objects in their mouths. As a 10 year old, I saved our
Chow from drowning in a backyard hot tub and about 4 years ago, saved our demo dog, Monty, from nearly drowning when he suddenly jumped off a dock and surfaced in an absolute panic. It is easy to become complacent and think it will never happen, but I know first hand that dogs can drown.It is National Drowning Prevention Week July 19 – July 27 and I urge all families with dogs to remember these canine water safety tips:
1. Teach your dog to swim. S
ome breeds
are top heavy like bulldogs and boxers and are not natural swimmers. Dogs with low body fat, such a
s Dobermans, are less buoyant and may find swimming more difficult. Never throw your dog into the water or force them by pulling in with a leash. Gradually coax them into the water with toys or treats or use another dog as the model teacher. There is no greater fun than actually swimming beside your dog, so jump into the water with them and help them float. If your dog can already swim, provide lots of practice to build their confidence since shock and panic can easily lead to near-drowning situations. If your dog just doesn’t get the hang of swimming but does likes the water, provide a kiddie pool, sprinkler or beach access (check the bylaws first) so they can play in the shallow surf.
2. Keep unsupervis
ed backyard pools and ponds safe with fences high enough so dogs cannot jump them. Secure the gates with a dog-proof lock as simple latches are no match for determined dogs. Keep patio furniture and objects away from the fence so your dog cannot use them as step stools. Consider using a safety alarm in the pool or on your dog’s collar which will sound when the water surface has been disturbed. Soft pool covers are not an effective deterrent. Dog may attempt to run across them and get tangled once their weight sinks the cover or small dogs may drown in any accumulated water on the surface of the cover. Use a hard cover for outdoor hot tubs and spas.
3. Monitor swimming ac
tivity and impose rest breaks to avoid fatigue. Exercising in water is hard work and dogs can easily become exhausted before they reach the edge of a large pool or the other end of that small lake. Do not allow your dog to endlessly swim after birds and do not throw a ball too far out for a safe retrieve.
4. Teach your dog how to exit a water source. You can teach your dog how to use a swimming pool ladder but a better choice is a specialized dog exit ramp that attaches to the edge and floats in the pool (available at
Dogsafe). In a panic, learned skills can suddenly disappear and the floating ramp does not require any special skills to use. If your dog enjoys jumping off docks, show them how to swim to shore. Watch steep banks on rivers and lakes. These vertical drops make excellent launching pads but do not provide your dog a way to get back out.
5. Use extreme caution in unfamiliar water. Rivers can have dangerously fast rapids that can quickly defeat your dog. The ocean may have rip tides and seaweed to get tangled in. Lakes may have sunken trees and other hidden hazards. Respect posted warnings and water rules. At the very least, always test the speed of water flow by throwing in a stick; hang on to your dog during the test throw! It is not worth the risk, when in doubt, choose another water destination.
6. Use a canine life jacket for kayaking, canoeing or boating. Canine life jackets can assist dogs who have a hard time swimming and also prevent drowning due to fatigue. Choose a well-fitting jacket with bright colors to aid visibility and a handle for lifting dogs from the water (available at Dogsafe).
7. Avoid all water sources that contain blue-green algae “blooms”. Blue-green algae can be found in freshwater ponds, lakes, rivers and streams. When certain nutritional and environmental conditions exist, the blue-green algae rapidly grows and results in toxic blooms. These blooms may look like scum or foam and accumulate on the water’s surface. Dogs may ingest the toxins by drinking the water or absorb the toxins by swimming in it. Toxins can cause skin irritations, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, shock, respiratory arrest, seizures and even death.
8. Rinse your dog with fresh water after swimming to rid the coat of chlorine, chemicals and salt water. Chemicals and the salts may irritate the skin and dull the coat. Dry out your dog’s ears to prevent infections.
9. Be prepared for near-drowning accidents with an emergency plan and the equipment necessary to respond. Always have a list of emergency phone numbers, including 24 hour veterinary clinics, in your cell phone or by your home phone. Enroll in a canine first aid course to learn canine CPR, how to respond to a near-drowning, how to restrain a frightened dog and transport an unconscious dog. Knowing the skills and having a plan will prevent panic and allow you to respond immediately in an emergency.
The next DOGSAFE Canine First Aid course is August 8 or 9th in North Vancouver, BC. For more information on DOGSAFE Canine First Aid, check on the web http://www.dogsafe.ca/ , email info@dogsafe.ca, call 604-813-9221 or drop by out education and retail facility located at #2 - 151 Riverside Drive West in North Vancouver, BC.
Michelle Sevigny
© 2010 Michelle Sevigny. www.dogsafe.ca. Reprint permission granted with full copyright intact.
Photo by
Chow from drowning in a backyard hot tub and about 4 years ago, saved our demo dog, Monty, from nearly drowning when he suddenly jumped off a dock and surfaced in an absolute panic. It is easy to become complacent and think it will never happen, but I know first hand that dogs can drown.It is National Drowning Prevention Week July 19 – July 27 and I urge all families with dogs to remember these canine water safety tips:
1. Teach your dog to swim. S
ome breeds
are top heavy like bulldogs and boxers and are not natural swimmers. Dogs with low body fat, such a
s Dobermans, are less buoyant and may find swimming more difficult. Never throw your dog into the water or force them by pulling in with a leash. Gradually coax them into the water with toys or treats or use another dog as the model teacher. There is no greater fun than actually swimming beside your dog, so jump into the water with them and help them float. If your dog can already swim, provide lots of practice to build their confidence since shock and panic can easily lead to near-drowning situations. If your dog just doesn’t get the hang of swimming but does likes the water, provide a kiddie pool, sprinkler or beach access (check the bylaws first) so they can play in the shallow surf.
2. Keep unsupervis
ed backyard pools and ponds safe with fences high enough so dogs cannot jump them. Secure the gates with a dog-proof lock as simple latches are no match for determined dogs. Keep patio furniture and objects away from the fence so your dog cannot use them as step stools. Consider using a safety alarm in the pool or on your dog’s collar which will sound when the water surface has been disturbed. Soft pool covers are not an effective deterrent. Dog may attempt to run across them and get tangled once their weight sinks the cover or small dogs may drown in any accumulated water on the surface of the cover. Use a hard cover for outdoor hot tubs and spas.
3. Monitor swimming ac
tivity and impose rest breaks to avoid fatigue. Exercising in water is hard work and dogs can easily become exhausted before they reach the edge of a large pool or the other end of that small lake. Do not allow your dog to endlessly swim after birds and do not throw a ball too far out for a safe retrieve.
4. Teach your dog how to exit a water source. You can teach your dog how to use a swimming pool ladder but a better choice is a specialized dog exit ramp that attaches to the edge and floats in the pool (available at
Dogsafe). In a panic, learned skills can suddenly disappear and the floating ramp does not require any special skills to use. If your dog enjoys jumping off docks, show them how to swim to shore. Watch steep banks on rivers and lakes. These vertical drops make excellent launching pads but do not provide your dog a way to get back out.
5. Use extreme caution in unfamiliar water. Rivers can have dangerously fast rapids that can quickly defeat your dog. The ocean may have rip tides and seaweed to get tangled in. Lakes may have sunken trees and other hidden hazards. Respect posted warnings and water rules. At the very least, always test the speed of water flow by throwing in a stick; hang on to your dog during the test throw! It is not worth the risk, when in doubt, choose another water destination.
6. Use a canine life jacket for kayaking, canoeing or boating. Canine life jackets can assist dogs who have a hard time swimming and also prevent drowning due to fatigue. Choose a well-fitting jacket with bright colors to aid visibility and a handle for lifting dogs from the water (available at Dogsafe).
7. Avoid all water sources that contain blue-green algae “blooms”. Blue-green algae can be found in freshwater ponds, lakes, rivers and streams. When certain nutritional and environmental conditions exist, the blue-green algae rapidly grows and results in toxic blooms. These blooms may look like scum or foam and accumulate on the water’s surface. Dogs may ingest the toxins by drinking the water or absorb the toxins by swimming in it. Toxins can cause skin irritations, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, shock, respiratory arrest, seizures and even death.
8. Rinse your dog with fresh water after swimming to rid the coat of chlorine, chemicals and salt water. Chemicals and the salts may irritate the skin and dull the coat. Dry out your dog’s ears to prevent infections.
9. Be prepared for near-drowning accidents with an emergency plan and the equipment necessary to respond. Always have a list of emergency phone numbers, including 24 hour veterinary clinics, in your cell phone or by your home phone. Enroll in a canine first aid course to learn canine CPR, how to respond to a near-drowning, how to restrain a frightened dog and transport an unconscious dog. Knowing the skills and having a plan will prevent panic and allow you to respond immediately in an emergency.
The next DOGSAFE Canine First Aid course is August 8 or 9th in North Vancouver, BC. For more information on DOGSAFE Canine First Aid, check on the web http://www.dogsafe.ca/ , email info@dogsafe.ca, call 604-813-9221 or drop by out education and retail facility located at #2 - 151 Riverside Drive West in North Vancouver, BC.
Michelle Sevigny
© 2010 Michelle Sevigny. www.dogsafe.ca. Reprint permission granted with full copyright intact.
Photo by
