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AQUADOG - EXPECTATIONS
ABOUT AQUADOG | AQUADOG SERVICES | WHY SWIM? | INTRODUCTORY SWIMS What to expect when you swim your dogAll dogs have the natural instinct and ability to swim however some breeds are better swimmers than others. Certain breeds may require assistance due to their body shape, size and density. These breeds include: Dogs may also require assistance if they are very old, have arthritis, are overweight or suffer from an injury or weakness. Buoyancy vests may be used to assist your dog in staying afloat and may also be required when swimming strokes are needed without the dog over exerting itself to stay above water. During your first introductory swim, our trained Veterinary Nurse will assess your dog's individual needs and demonstrate how to swim your dog safely. If your dog isn't a keen or confident swimmer, they may be reluctant to enter the pool. This is normal as it will take a few swims for your dog to relax, build confidence and realise just how fun it can be! We aim to make swimming a positive and enjoyable experience by giving lots of encouragement, praise and rewards! Bring their favourite toy to entice them into the water! Swimming is quite strenuous compared to walking as muscles are used in completely different ways. For this reason and to prevent over exertion, we need to gradually build up the time spent swimming and control how many laps to swim on each visit. It is important for your dog to have rest periods in between swimming, but keep moving during this rest time to prevent lactic acid build up in the muscles and minimise stiffness. |
