How to accustom a dog to water and bathing

In summer, many dogs have fun swimming on the beaches, playing in the children’s pools, or even frolicking around the sprinkler. If the owner thinks that his pet is afraid of water, he is not alone. 

Sometimes it is difficult to even bathe a four-legged friend, let alone lure him for a swim. If the dog is afraid of water, what should I do?

Why are some dogs afraid of water?

There are many reasons why four-legged friends may be afraid of water. Maybe this is just a new experience for the dog, or the feeling of water on the paws and wool is strange for him. Your pet may have had a traumatic experience with water, or may have gotten very wet when they weren’t ready for it. 

If the owner thinks that the dog is afraid of water, the first step is to try to wean it from any negative associations with water. You can then slowly introduce her to the water until she feels safe enough to bathe or swim on her own terms.

How to teach a dog to bathe

Ideally, water procedures should be started when the dog is still a puppy. First, you can wipe it with a damp cloth, and then bathe it in the bathroom or in a basin outside. However, if the pet has already grown up and is afraid to swim, you will have to spend time on training to wean him from fears, and only then start bathing. To get started, you need to do the following:

1. Let the dog look around and explore the bathroom.
2. Bring her to the bathroom and play with her there, closing the door.
3. As soon as the dog gets used to being in the bathroom without fear, you need to invite him to climb into the bath and sit on a non-slip mat. No need to turn on the water, but be sure to reward your pet for her bravery!
4. After the dog enters the bathroom several times, you can turn on the water in the bath. At this time, you need to play with the dog on the floor so that he gets used to the noise.
5. Finally, you need to put the pet in a bath filled with a small amount of water.

It may take some time to complete this sequence of actions, but it is worth it, because getting rid of fear and gaining confidence is at stake.

How to teach a dog to swim

Once your four-legged friend feels safe in a bath of water, you can consider getting him accustomed to large bodies of water, such as a pond or ocean. But for this step, you need to teach your four-legged friend how to swim safely. 

It is important to remember that some breeds are made for water, while others are completely useless swimmers. For example, the Labrador Retriever, Irish Water Spaniel, and Portuguese Water Dog have characteristics that make them well-adapted to the water. On the other hand, short-legged dogs like the Chihuahua and brachycephalic breeds like the Boxer may need extra help. The owner may also find that the dog simply doesn’t like swimming and prefers “life on land”.

First you need to purchase an auxiliary device to ensure the safety of your pet on the water. According to the American Kennel Club, all dogs, regardless of breed, must wear life jackets when they learn to swim. 

You should look for a vest with a handle so that if necessary you can quickly pull your pet out of the water. As with children’s watercraft, size matters for safety, so it’s important to make sure the life jacket is appropriate for the weight and length of your four-legged friend.

You can teach your dog to water in the following way:

1. Start slowly and never throw the dog into the water.
2. Walk with your pet along the shore and let him wet his paws.
3. Then slowly go a little deeper, but staying in shallow water.
4. Reward your pet with a healthy treat.
5. When the dog is comfortable in shallow water, you can go a little deeper so that he has to swim a short distance.

Each of these steps should be taken slowly, and over time the dog will become a confident swimmer. As with bathing in the bath, learning to swim is not a one-day training. This will require many hours of safe and comfortable practice of this skill.