With summer quickly approaching you and your family are probably dreaming of cold drinks and peaceful swims in the pool as the sun burns down on your skin you will want to place some focus on Labrador retriever swimming season and safety tips. The same could be said for your lovely Labrador retriever, who will be looking to relieve themselves from the heat of the midday sun. Teaching your pup to swim and being sure your Labrador retriever swimming season is uneventful is very important; you want them to be able to enjoy the water whenever they want. Some dog breeds are born with no knowledge of how to swim, luckily they are natural born swimmers right from a Labrador puppy, so all you need to do is keep them safe and sound by following these water safety tips.
Are Labradors Good Swimmers?
Many dogs are good swimmers but labs have been bred to be the ideal water dogs, with water resistant coats and short fur they are able to doggy paddle, stay warm and afloat with little trouble. Their webbed toes also help to facilitate their swift swimming skills. Back in history, fisherman would use labs to bring in nets and recover escaped fish as they were so agile in the water. With thick coats, broad heads, sturdy bodies and tails that resemble an otter they are able to steer themselves smoothly through the water. The outer layer of your Labrador’s coat is short, oily and dense which allows it to whip away the water. Their inner coat also has a layer to protect their skin from wetness and chilly temperatures. Your lovely lab was literally built for swimming in the water, but how do you make sure they aren’t too cold?
How Cold is Too Cold for a Lab to Swim?
As mentioned, Labradors have been bred to survive and thrive in the cold weather as well as swimming in icy water. With their doubly thick coat you might think it is difficult to get them too cold, but you need to be wary of water temperatures in extreme conditions. This is where the topic of swimmer’s tail comes in. There are certain safety precautions you should follow, especially in the winter, when it comes to keeping your dog safe from cold water. When your dog enters the water watch out for signs that they are too cold. They may be shivering, chattering their teeth or their skin might become discolored. To avoid frostbite to their nose and paw pads get them out of the water quickly and dry them off with a clean towel to warm them up again. Allow your dogs to enter unfamiliar water slowly, so that you can always keep an eye on their well being.
When Can Labs Start Swimming?
When you have a lab puppy it can be quite daunting when you come to introduce them to the water. Check with your own vet what age they would recommend your pup to swim as they will have a tailored recommendation based on your lab’s age, strength, size and natural abilities. Even though Labrador puppies are natural born swimmers it can take some pups a while to gain confidence in the water. Don’t rush the process of teaching them to swim; they need to be eased into it. Once they feel comfortable they will swim and swim.
Teaching Your Lab Puppy How to Swim
Try heading to a local stream or river that is fairly shallow and run around with your puppy whilst they are on their leash. It it also useful to allow them to lead by example with an older dog. If you have two Labradors the older one will be able to show them how to enter the water and start swimming. Make sure you are always close by until your chocolate lab puppy shows signs of being confident in the water by themselves. If you don’t have a stream nearby then why not use your kid’s paddling pool as an introduction? Splash them and allow them to play nearby so that they can get used to how water feels on their fur. After all, swimming is a great way to burn off some energy for your dog.
Summer is the Perfect Time for Labrador Swimming
You should start working with your puppy when the weather is warmer so that the pool is comfortable for them. Although Labradors can withstand icy temperatures it will be much more enjoyable in a cool pool rather than a freezing one. Start off in shallow water and use treats to lure him in if he’s unsure. You also want to avoid a noisy area with lots of distractions as this won’t help your dog to focus on their swimming skills. You can gradually lead your dog deeper into the water until they start to naturally paddle and stay afloat. Place your arm underneath your lab’s belly if you think he needs a bit of extra support. Encourage him to use both sets of legs too, otherwise he is going to tire easily.
Labrador Swimming Safety
Understanding how to keep your lab safe when they are swimming is very important, so consider some of these useful tips. You should never force or toss your dog into water unexpectedly; you need to allow them to take the lead and ease their way into the water. If your dog ever appears alarmed whilst they are in the water you should try to calm him down and gently guide him out of the water. When you are teaching your dog how to swim it is important to show them how to get out of the pool and climb onto a boat. With this set of skills they will be able to save themselves if they are ever in danger. Even if your Labrador retriever is a very strong swimmer you should never leave them alone or unattended when they are in the water. You can buy a life jacket for dogs who aren’t as comfortable in the water or if you are going on a boat and will be a long way from land. This will put your mind at ease and allow them to enjoy the water without you right next to them.
It’s true that watching Labrador puppies swimming is utterly adorable, but you have to put their safety first. If you consider all of the ideas and tips discussed above, you can be sure that your loyal best friend will be happy and safe when they are in the water.
