ADVICE: The Common-sense dog

Summer is just around the corner and most people want to do summer things with their dogs. This typically includes walking, hiking and swimming. The first two are easy if you have a mobile dog, but sometimes even the most agile of dogs struggles with a fear of water and swimming.

The best way to alleviate a fear of swimming is to take all of the uncertainty away by teaching the dog HOW to swim. (This is usually the recipe for fear cases regardless of what they are afraid of. Clarity often alleviates fear.) But how do we go about offering clarity to a dog that is terrified of the water? Here is a step by step recipe that I have found to work with most dogs.

Step One: Show them how to get out! The easiest way to create comfort in the dog is to show them how to get out of the water. This is the most important step of all and should be practiced often. When I first start the session, I carry the dog out into the water (arms under their chest and stomach). Once I know the water is just deep enough that the dog can’t touch, I set the dog down (FACING THE SHORE). I continue to support the dog with my arms and let them paddle a couple feet back to land. I do this several times so they know how to get out of the water. You will already see a big drop of fear once they understand this step. (Never let your dog swim in a current.)

We unintentionally reinforce fear if we try to bring the dog into the water head on. They are then faced with endless water rather than shore a few feet away, and it can be overwhelming.

Step Two: Move them farther and farther from shore and let them paddle in. A dog life vest is helpful to ensure your dog doesn’t panic after you let go. It will also help them build strength and endurance without becoming fatigued.

Step Three: Now that they are more comfortable in the water, I take the next step and teach them to turn. I support their belly, point them away from shore, and teach them how to turn toward the shore and swim to land. We practice this several times in both directions. Because the dog already understands that there is a way out of the water, they don’t get overly stressed during the turns.

Step Four: Once the dog is comfortable turning and swimming to shore, I teach them to swim directly out into the water. I start by standing in the water where I feel the water is just deep enough to make the dog swim, and I guide the dog toward me with a leash. The dog will be a bit apprehensive at first, but if you have spent time building a trusting relationship, they will trust you and swim out. When they get to me, I help them turn and swim back to shore. Again, we repeat this step several times. It wouldn’t be appropriate to do this until the dog knows how to turn and how to exit the water if they get tired or nervous.

Once the dog fully understands how to swim into the water, make left and right turns, and swim to shore when they need to, you should have a much more confident dog.

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Stephanie Vichinsky is the owner/head trainer of Method K9 in

Post Falls. 208-964-4806