Dog Obedience Training - Teaching a Dog to Swim

Dog Obedience Training - Advice on getting your dog used to swimming

Although most dogs are natural swimmers it is relatively common for some pets to either develop a fear of water or to have never been introduced to it in the first place. Follow the basic dog training tips below on how to cure this problem.

Puppy socialization

Some owners fail to understand the importance of this process. It is actually a vital part of your puppy's development and should be incorporated into your training schedule. Remember that every dog can swim.

Start by introducing your pooch to new experiences - they dont have to be water related as long as it is a new experience - this ill decrease your pooches fear and anxiety of new things.

• Introduce your pooch to different people of different ages
• Make sure your puppy is walked regularly with other dogs of different sizes, genders and ages.
• Socialize your sog or puppy around people in uniforms and wearing hats.
• Make sure that your pooch gets to see cars, bikes, buses and trains.
• Attach a leash to your dog and walk near running water.
• Take a trip to the sea and let your pooch see that water can be fun and is not dangerous.
• Keep introducing your puppy to water over a period of days and even weeks.
• Do not let your pooch off of the leash if the water has steep sides or a wall around it otherwise you are asking for trouble and even a tragedy.
• Find a lake that is close by and start playing in the shallow water - keep the leash attached.
• Keep playing in the shallow water over a couple of days and use a ball or toy to make it enjoyable.
• When your puppy (your puppy should be the right age - check with the vet) you can let him off the leash to enjoy the water.

Congratulations you have used basic puppy socialization techniques to get your pooch used to water and swimming.

Tobias Charles writes on all aspects of dog obedience training, puppy training and dog health care. For more information visit his website for the best dog obedience training tips, health care advice and recipes for homemade dog foods for more great tips and information.

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