Summer can be a great time for you and your dog. When enjoying those sunny summer days with your pet, it’s definitely important to keep him cool, and water can be a great way of doing that. But it’s equally important to know what risks come with water, so here are a few tips to keep your dogs safe near water.
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You can teach your dog to swim if he isn’t a natural swimmer! Water safety
For starters: not all dogs are good swimmers, so don’t assume your dog will be fine if you push him in, and never leave your dog unsupervised near any body of water. - On a boat
Heat from the sun tends to be more intense around water, so it’s important to watch your dog for signs of sunburn or heat stroke. Buying your dog a life jacket is important. Dogs can get cramps, just like we can, or they can get tired when they swim too far from the shore. Even if your dog is a strong swimmer, you can’t control the current or temperature of the water, and you can’t always know your dog’s stamina. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
By a pool or on a beach
Just like how hot sand can make you do a funny dance across a beach, sand can blister your dog’s paws. Make sure to keep them off hot sand and pavement as much as possible. As mentioned, dogs may not all be natural swimmers. That being said, you can teach them how to swim. Games in the water can be lots of fun, but a good tip is to remove your dog’s collar before he goes into the water. After they’ve been in the water, be sure to rinse them to make sure any chlorine, bacteria or dirt is removed.
Source: care2.com
