Water sports for dogs
Trying out a water sport with your dog is a great way to keep cool and have fun this summer—especially if your dog is part fish!
Safety first!
Before doing any water activities, check with your veterinarian to make sure your dog doesn’t have a condition like heart or lung disease that could make swimming unsafe. You can then introduce your dog to water sports, bearing in mind these safety tips:
- Don’t assume your dog knows how to swim. If they don’t, you can teach your dog to enjoy swimming, but don’t force them into the water.
- During water activities, always use a well-fitted dog life jacket.
- Always keep an eye on your dog when they’re in or around the water.
- Introduce your pet to equipment, boats or other swimmers.
- Keep your dog off-leash in the water—the leash can be a hazard.
- Review commands such as come, stay and wait.
- Some dogs will swim to the point of exhaustion, so keep an eye on the time and limit swim sessions.
- Limit the amount of either fresh or salt water your dog drinks—both can be harmful in excess.
- Talk to your veterinarian for their breed-specific recommendations.
Fun water sports
- Dock diving. Dock diving or dock jumping has gained a fair bit of attention in recent years. It’s so popular that it’s now a competitive canine sport recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC)! In this sport, each dog runs and jumps off a dock to retrieve a toy. The dog who jumps the farthest wins! You can enroll your dog in a dock jumping class or play off your own dock for fun. Teach your dog to sit and wait, toss the toy and ask them to fetch it. Tips: Make sure the water is at least 4 feet deep and lay a rubber mat on the dock to prevent slips.
- Water retrieval. Similar to dock diving, water retrieval is just like a regular game of fetch, but with the extra challenge of swimming! Labradors and golden retrievers are especially fond of this game. Tips: Your pet should already be familiar with fetch and be comfortable in water. Be sure to use floating toys.
- Stand up paddleboard (SUP). If you’ve taken up the sport of paddleboarding, your dog may enjoy this water activity too. Consider practicing on dry land first and then in shallow (and very calm) water before heading beyond the shoreline. Tip: Wait until you’ve found your balance and feel confident on the board before inviting your pup along for a ride.
- Surfing. Surf’s up! Certainly not for every dog, dog surfing is one of the oldest water sports, dating back to the 1920s! There are even specially designed surfboards that help dogs grip the board while making the drop with their human companion. This water sport definitely needs some training, so check out different beaches where you can sign your dog up for lessons! Tips: You know your dog best, so only attempt surfing if your dog absolutely loves the water, the beach and shows an interest in hopping on your deck.
As you hit the beach for a fun summer weekend with your dog, remember to review essential commands and pack their life jackets and water. You can also look into dog goggles to protect their eyes from the sun and water! Plan outdoor activities in the cooler morning or evening hours, and not during the heat of the day. Don’t forget to wash off your pup at the end of the day, especially if you’ve been splashing in the ocean.
