Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

If you’re a dog owner, it may no longer surprise you that your pet will not hesitate before dunking their head even in the dirtiest puddle. However, they’ll have a hard time taking a bath to clean that muck off. There’s no sure way to understand why dogs don’t seem to like the activity but surprisingly, you’ll find them much more willing to swim instead of taking a bath.

When it comes to swimming, you cannot just decide one day to take your pet and expect everything to play along. There are many factors to consider ahead of time. What breed do you have? Is your dog physically fit enough to swim? What places can you take them to? How can you introduce them to the pool?

Let’s look at some other factors you need to think about before heading to the pool with your furry friend.

Some Dogs Aren’t Built for It

Some dogs like Portuguese water dogs and Labrador Retrievers have what it takes when it comes to swimming. They don’t just have fun while pursuing the activity but are also able to shed some pounds by engaging in a great workout.

However, some dog breeds aren’t meant for it because their bodies are too fragile to handle swimming. It could be due to several reasons, like having a large head, thick fur, or short muzzles.

Not Every Place with Water is Meant for Swimming

While ideally, you should take your dog to a place with slow and clean water, sometimes it’s alright to let them take a dip in a river or a natural stream. However, make sure not to take them to the sea if it’s their very first time swimming. This is because currents and tides are never predictable enough to deem completely safe for your pet.

Understand Their Body

Some dogs won’t mind jumping straight into the water, but others might take a good amount of time to get inside completely. It’s alright for your dog to become familiar with the activity in their way.

You can, however, assist them in the process by introducing them to the water slowly. Start by dipping their paws first and notice their reaction. Let them stay on a floating object for some days before they become comfortable enough to be on their own.

Take Some Toys Along

You should be prepared to deal with any reaction that comes your way. It’s natural for your dog to feel scared before pursuing a new activity, even if their pool isn’t deep enough for any incident to occur. The best way to get them to feel more comfortable is by bringing their favorite toys along. Play a little fetch to help them warm up. You can also try throwing it into the pool to let your dog go and retrieve it.

Get a Mobile Swimming Pool

If you have made your mind up and want your dog to be exposed to the activity, after all, start from home. Since being at home is more comfortable than being exposed to a brand new place, your dogs may have it easy when they get into a pool at home.

There are many options you can explore in this regard. Some pools made for kids are mobile enough for you to carry anywhere. Get one and fill it with some water. You may think that it’s not any different than getting your dog inside a tub, but you’re mistaken. You can take a mobile swimming pool anywhere. You can place it in the garden or a room at your convenience, but it will definitely be different than getting into a tub.

Take Them to a Doggy Swimming Pool

A doggy swimming pool is one of the best and safest ways to get your pooch familiar with the activity. The biggest reason it’s better than your regular swimming pool facilities is that it has all the equipment and staff to deal with your dog.

These facilities are also safer because they consist of carefully designed entry and exit ramps along with the right professionals at hand. However, you will have to pay for all the amenities that come with the place.

Why Can’t Dogs Swim in Coastal Waters?

If your dog can swim everywhere else, it can also swim in coastal waters, but it’s generally not recommended due to many reasons. First of all, there’s always the risk of deep waters, strong currents, and high tides. Secondly, even if all possible threats can be eliminated somehow, not every beach will allow your dog. On the other hand, even if a beach does allow dogs, there could be other regulations such as not allowing them in the water.

Regardless, taking them to a place like a beach means you should be wary of many factors such as the weather, visibility, the strength of tides and currents, rules and regulations, and most of all, cleanliness.

Why Should You Let Your Dog Swim?

Swimming is not only a great way to enjoy leisure time but is also one of the best exercises for your dog. A great thing about it is that it won’t repel your pet the way organized exercises do because swimming doesn’t seem like a workout anyway. Introducing your dog to the activity is still a great way to help them seek pleasure in stuff other than running and fetching.

The Bottom Line

While swimming is a widely pursued activity across the world, you should be extra careful when it comes to dogs. Never go easy with assessing the dangers involved because sometimes, even when your dog is comfortable doing it, there’s no guarantee that it will be 100% safe for them.

Therefore, take all the measures before you’re completely certain that your dog is fit to swim. Speak to your veterinarian and assess the pros and cons of exposing your pet to the activity because keeping them safe is better than putting them at unnecessary risk. If you do end up being successful at your attempt to make them swim, supervise them closely at all times.

by Bobby J Davidson

We are in business to provide great products for the outdoorsy hikers, campers and their dogs; and to help clean our parks, rivers and oceans for a better planet earth for hikers and their dogs.

Parks Clean

Parks are high-traffic areas in most cities. This means that trash is bound to show up in and around your park and playground.

When discussing ways your family can help clean your local park, don’t overlook a literal cleanup! Picking up trash will make a huge difference in the appearance and vibe of your park. A clean area will encourage others to keep the park pristine. When picking up trash and debris, make sure to wear gloves to protect yourself, and put trash in appropriate receptacles or lawn bags. You can also contact your local trash company to schedule a pickup when you are finished.

Rivers Clean

The storm drain on your street collects the water from your roof, driveway, and sidewalk and funnels it directly in your local lake or river. Nutrients from grass and leaves, pet waste, and fertilizers “enrich” our lakes and streams — feeding algae blooms and harming fish. Chemicals from washing your car in the drive and household chemical spills add up, taking a nasty toll on our favorite swimming areas and fishing spots. Soil can also be picked up by runoff, reducing the clarity of water and hurting fish.

So as you prepare your lawn and garden, here are a few helpful tips to keep our lakes and rivers beautiful and safe for all of us.

Use mulch and vegetation to keep soil from washing away.
Sweep or rake grass and leaves away from street curbs.
Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves.
Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
Capture water runoff with a rain garden and rain barrels.
Wash your car on the grass, where the water will get filtered.
Keep chemicals away from storm drains.
Collect your pet’s waste.
Aim your rain-gutter downspouts onto grass.

Beaches Clean (do it for the ocean)

In 2007, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution to recognize the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States.

Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually July 1-7, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event.
Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you’ll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community’s solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you’ll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.