Swim Tips For Dog Days

September is nearly here, bringing with it the end of the summer pool season.

For many pet owners, that might mean another weekend or two frolicking in our backyard or neighborhood pools or a trip to a lake or stream in the Georgia outdoors with our furry friends.

Venetian Pools’ Jessica Berkowitz Minier says the neighborhood pool she manages in Decatur will not be hosting a dog swim on the last day of the season this year because of the stress on the pool filters, but she has several tips to share based on past events she's managed.

She and Tricia Starnes, a veterinarian at the East Atlanta Animal Clinic, both caution pet owners not to lose sight of the health and safety considerations.

Some people take their dogs to the pool, others to area lakes and rivers. Dog resorts and spas and rehab facilities even feature swimming among their amenities.

“Swimming is one of the best exercises, since it doesn't cause injury to the joints and also great when other exercise is next to impossible because of the heat,” Starnes says. “Physical therapists often use an underwater treadmill for rehabilitation.”

Remember that leash laws often apply when taking dogs to swim in parks and public areas.

If you’re on your own, to make sure it’s safe and healthy to take doggie for a dip, here are several tips from these aquatic and veterinary experts:

Don’t assume your dog is a natural swimmer: While retrievers are especially known to love water, some breeds are not natural-born swimmers. These include dogs with long bodies and short legs such as the basset hound, dachshund and corgis, as well as dogs with short muzzles such as bulldogs and Boston terriers. In addition, greyhounds are typically non-swimmers.

According to The Dog Guide, breeds that love water include retrievers, Schipperke, spaniels, setters and standard poodles.

Give the dog an exit strategy: In both pools and rivers, make sure to show your dog the safe area to enter and exit, Minier says. Good swimming holes and pools have a natural incline, shallow or zero-depth or wide steps.

“Dogs don't have elbows that allow them to 'pressout,' so they can't get out of the pool easily. They need shallow-zero depth water or steps, the bigger and wider, the better,” Minier says.

She says dogs can drown if they get tired and have no place to rest, such as a lane line, or don't know where the shallow water is.

If you’re taking Rover to the river, make sure he can’t get into rapids that could drag him under.

Don't let your dog make you a drowning victim: A larger dog can push an owner under water as they scramble for higher ground and can easily scratch someone trying to help, so it’s advisable to use support when trying to make an assist, Minier says.

Never toss a dog into the water: If your dog doesn't like to swim, don't force him. You can acclimate him to swimming by taking it slow and positive.

“I have heard, through a friend of a friend, of a dog drowning after his owner tossed him out of the fishing boat thinking that he would know how to swim. There are plenty of dogs who love to swim and others who will never like swimming," Starnes said.

Gradually introduce dogs to the water: Even strong swimmers should have a chance to get to know the environment.

“This is especially important if your dog needs physical therapy for arthritis or recuperation after an injury or surgery,” Starnes says. “Swimming is one of the best exercises since it doesn't cause injury to the joints and also great when other exercise is next to impossible because of the heat. Physical therapists often use an underwater treadmill for rehabilitation.”

Watch out for signs of panic and stress: Whimpering, swimming in circles near a wall, failed attempts, lots of sneezing, climbing on other dogs in an effort to find a place to rest are signs of trouble.

Provide safe drinking water: Dogs don't know that not all water is safe to drink. Bacteria, giardia, salt, etc., can be toxic, so be sure to have plenty of fresh water easily available to them.

Use sunscreen: Dogs can be sunburned, too, so apply sunscreen to any white or pink areas (noses, ears, etc.), Starnes cautioned.

Guard against ear infections: Some dogs, especially retrievers, which also usually like to swim, are particularly prone to ear infections.

“Dogs' ear canals are very deep, warm and dark. When moisture gets in them, especially dirty water, it is a great culture medium for growing bacteria and yeast. Anytime you take your dogs swimming (or give them a bath) you should clean out their ears with a good ear cleanser that has both a cleansing and drying agent,” Starnes said.

Look for contents including boric acid or salicylic acid, and the bottle should say on the front that it both cleans and dries.

Be ready to see blood: Concrete can wear down toenails, and wipe-outs out can be messy, so bring a styptic pen or blood stopper. Fish hooks can be a hazard, as well.

Swimming can be too cool: Especially because small dogs are more prone to hyperthermia, and because dogs may be affected by the cold, just like humans, it’s wise to bring something to wrap and dry the dog.