Most puppies are not born knowing how to swim right away. For some it comes naturally, but some breeds might have difficulties.
Training a dog to swim is not necessarily a difficult endeavour, however it does require a willing dog and water deep enough that the dog cannot touch the bottom with his feet.
Depending on their physical capability and mental capacity, most dogs learn how to swim in a lesson or two.
First, you need to select the location carefully. If your dog’s only interaction with water has been the bath tub so far, he may not be as enthusiastic as you thought to go into the water at first.
Try to make your dog approach the water gradually. Let him sniff the water and lap at it as he desires in order to realize it is nothing to be scared of.
If he is still reluctant to go in, encourage your dog to put his front feet in the water first. Lure him in by taking several steps into the water ahead of him and offering him treats.
Walk your dog into slightly deeper water gradually. If he is uncomfortable with the experience, his posture will become rigid, his head will be low and forward, and his tail will be down and possibly between his legs. If this happens, go back to shallow waters and allow him to relax again, but do not let him retreat from the water entirely.
Prepare for your dog’s reaction when his paws leave the bottom for the first time.
Hold your arms under your dog’s midsection. Place one hand at the base of his ribcage and the other on his stomach.
Raising his rear end will encourage him to kick with his hind legs and will prevent him from attempting to swim with only his front paws, which will tire him very quickly.
Walk beside him and supporting his ribcage and stomach. Hold his hips as close to level with the high point of his shoulders as possible. Keep supporting him until he is relaxed and is kicking purposefully with all four legs.
If he starts swimming without the need for your encouragement and starts to look relaxed, your work is done, and a fun day at the beach may begin.