Swim Archives - Golden Woofs

Do’s and Tips of Pool Safety With Your Dog

July 18, 2016

Safety is always a must when you allow your dog swim in the pool. Last weekend, SUGAR had lots of Golden FUN swimming at blog pal Rosy Rue‘s pool. It was SUGAR’s second time swimming at their pool. We took extra precautions and inspired us to share five do’s and tips you should do before, during, and after your dog’s swim.

Do’s and Tips of Pool Safety With Your Dog

Not All Dogs Can Swim
1. DO: Know your dog’s swimming capabilities. Most dogs swim but not all dogs can or like to swim. SUGAR, as a retriever dog, loves the water and is a strong swimmer.

TIP: Provide your dog a LIFE JACKET. From what I read, every year many dogs drown in swimming pools; and can happen to strong dog swimmers. The buoyancy of a good life jacket helps keep your dog afloat and minimizes fatigue during play. With the life jacket, SUGAR can swim longer.

Keep Your Dog Safe While In The Pool
2. DO: Teach your dog the proper way to enter and exit the pool via the steps. If your dog likes to jump in the pool, like SUGAR, he/she needs to know which side of the pool to exit.

TIP: You may need to join your dog in the water. Keep your dog happy while doggy-paddling. Play fetch and provide a floating dog toy that is easy to retrieve. SUGAR loves her new P.L.A.Y.’s Scout & About Toss and Float Toy.

Chemicals in the Pool
3. DO: Discourage your dog from drinking pool water. Rosy’s pool is salt water; which is treated with common salt to generate chlorine. It is unavoidable for a dog swimming and playing fetch not to ingest some pool water.
TIP: Always have a fresh, cool bowl of water ready for your dog.

Keep Your Dog Cool
4. DO: WATCH Your Dog at all times in the pool. Never leave your dog in the pool and Be OBSERVANT! An exhausted dog is in danger of drowning.
TIP: Swimming can be strenuous. Provide your dog adequate rest time and a cool place to rest. SUGAR decided that the flower bed was a good spot to rest in between her swims.

Rinse/BATH
5. DO: After swimming, give your dog a quick rinse or bath. Make sure all of the chemicals is off your dog’s fur. Chlorine and other pool chemicals can dry out your dog’s coat and skin.
TIP: Thoroughly dry your dog’s fur. Be mindful and pay extra attention to your dog’s ears which tend to remain damp.

Keep in mind these simple Do’s and Tips to ensure your dog’s safety in the pool.
Does your dog like to swim? Does your dog swim in a pool?

K9 Splash: Reason To Cross The IL/WI State Line For K9 Fitness

November 22, 2013

My Golden Outdoor Activities have cut down due to daylight getting shorter and the weather getting colder. I’ve been doing lots of indoor walking in pet stores, dog friendly garden centers and malls. I’m a Senior Dog that got lots of energy and enjoys fun activities. My mom has been preparing for winter activities that will manage my energy and keep me entertain.

Swimming is my Golden Favorite activity and it has been beneficial for my senior health.
My mom found another k9 swimming facility, larger than Splash Dog (where I typically go for my monthly swim). However, it is located in WI which means we have to travel ~1 1/2 (3hrs travel time back n forth). Well, my peeps will do anything for ME.
Last Sunday, we traveled to WI. We are about 45 minutes from the IL/WI state line. I Golden LOVE road trip and of course had to take a break at a Cracker Barrel. If you follow Golden Woofs on Instagram and FB, you’ve seen my photo. When I arrived at the facility, Think Pawsitive, my Golden Tail kept on wagging.

Can you tell from the photo above I was a bit Golden Mischievous? I kept on Woof Woof to throw my toy in the water but mom put a temporary halt on my swim. Instead of using the ramp, I kept on jumping in. If you follow Golden Woofs on Instgram and FB you’ve seen my 11 seconds swim jump video. Well, the pool is set-up like a dock diving stage/pool and in my younger years I have participated in several events. I compromised with my mom to do several jumps and obliged to use the ramp. She caught one of my swim jumps in her camera and created the video below. You get to see me jump backwards and jump in slow motion …

Sugar’s K9 Splash Jump from Golden Woofs on Vimeo.

Can you tell I’m a bit overly Golden Excited.
Think Pawsitive K9 Splash is definitely going to be on my activities to do next month and will share more about the facility/pool.

I had Lots of Golden FUN, without a doubt the drive is worth it.
Would you travel miles for a K9 fitness?

I am joining FitDog Friday Hop.

Lots of Golden L♥VE n Woofs
SUGAR

Swim Fetch Play and Stair Exercise with K9FitVest

September 27, 2013

Swimming is my favorite activity. Golden LOVE it.
As an energetic senior dog, swimming is a terrific outlet.
I’ve shared 3 posts about my previous swim at Splash Dog.
If you missed it, I invite you to check our my posts
Canine Hydrotherapy, Doggy Paddle, and Turn Around Swim.
Fetch Play is one of my favorite swim games.
Most recently, mom has been playing with her Action CAM and was able to capture my swimming under water. Also, since I’ve proven that I am Golden Good in swimming, I was given the permission and freedom to swim freely. I got a new ChuckIt toy too.

SGR FetchPlay n UnderWater SWIM from Golden Woofs on Vimeo.

All Around Golden Good SWIM Time. What do you think?

Swimming has helped me maintain my stamina and provided me to have looser muscles and limber. Golden Perfect for my stair exercise. Since the beach has closed for the season, mom and I are back to our favorite beach steps for our stair exercise. Most recently, mom added a workout accessory, K9FitVest from DogTread.

Stair Excercise with K9FitVest from Golden Woofs on Vimeo.

Did it bother me wearing the K9FitVest? Not at all.
Mom says I was faster than normal. On the video, my mom asked me to slow down as she was climbing up/down the stairs backwards.

Will definitely do a detailed post on the K9FitVest as we plan it to be part of my workout activities.

Swimming is a great compliment to my stair exercise. Both of these activities are featured in Peggy Frezon latest book, The Dieting with my Dog Guide to Weight Loss and Maintenance. We are on pages 68-69 (Climbing Stairs with Your Dog) and 77-79 (Swimming).

The book is available on Amazon. I invite you to check it out.

Lots of Golden L♥VE n Woofs
SUGAR

I am joining FitDog Friday Hop
hosted by SlimDoggy, To Dog With LOVE, and Peggy’s Pet Place.

Turn Around Command In The Pool

July 5, 2013

I am a Golden Dog that loves water and enjoys swimming. I had the best time last year as I was able to swim in the ocean. As I said before due to my allergies, swimming in a lake is not an ideal condition for my skin. It was recently reported that Chicago’s lake is a haven for Bastomycosis? Click here to read more about it.

I was very fortunate that mom found Splash Dog, an indoor doggy swimming facility. The facility’s pool is typically used for rehabs but many dogs go for a fun swim, like ME.
The pool is also heated 88-92 degrees.

Last week was my 4th swim.
I’m more familiar with the facility and the process of my swim time.
As I arrived at Splash Dog, I can sense that mom has a plan.

Swimming in the ocean is so much different from swimming in a pool especially if the pool is small. I don’t have much freedom on how far I can swim. I was taught when I retrieve my water toy I had to go back to the pools resting area. I really don’t need that much time to rest.
I Woof Woof a lot once I drop my ChuckIt water toy.
What’s my mom’s plan to keep me in the pool while I hold my ChuckIt toy? Mom used the “Turn Around” command, which is considered an advance dog command. I’m familiar with the “Turn Around” command as a learned it as a young pup. During my swim, “Turn Around” voice command was used and mom walked the edge of the pool to guide me on my turns. Check out my swim video as I learned “Turn Around” command in the pool.

I swam for about 30 minutes, just think how many “Turn Arounds” I did?

I am joining FitDog Friday Hop,
hosted by SlimDoggy, Peggy’s Pet Place and To Dog With Love.

Click Here to read our review of SlimDoggy App.
Read our previous posts on my Dog’s Health page.

Lots of Golden L♥VE n Woofs
SUGAR

Doggy Paddle: Safety Measures Teaching Your Dog To Swim

June 6, 2013

Golden LOVE to swim. Last year, I had a Golden Blast swimming in Maui HI Ocean anytime I want. Now that I am back home, Midwest Lakefront Beach is not ideal place for me to swim. When I was young I had a seasonal beach pass and swam in the lake.
However, the lake water has been unsafe for my Golden Sensitive Skin.

Swimming is such a PAWsome exercise that I want to keep as my regular activity. Indoor swimming is my only current option. Last weekend, I went to Splash Dog and went for a swim. It’s my 3rd time to swim in this facility. Click Here to read my 1st swim post. Since I am already familiar with the place, I Woof! Woof! and More Woofs! before my swim session starts. Mom has to keep me distracted and occupied by taking photos around the facility.

My style of swimming is doggy paddle.
Doggy Paddle is a simple and easy manner of swimming.
How does it work? While in the water, I simply lie on my chest and move my front paw/leg and back paw/leg alternately. It is like running on land.
Did you know? … The doggy paddle was the 1st swimming stroke used by humans, learned by observing four legged animals swimming. The doggy paddle is also the 1st stroke used to teach young kids to swim. Check out my 42 seconds Doggy Paddle Swim Video .…

Not all dogs enjoy getting wet and/or being in the water.
Many dogs don’t always instinctively know how to swim.
Do you plan to teach your dog how to swim? If your dog has never swam before,it is important to know these 5 Dog Swimming Safety Reminders.

1) For some dogs, especially those who are not natural swimmers, a life jacket is helpful.
2) Never leave your dog to figure it out on his/her own. In the beginning, it is helpful for you to join your dog in the water.
3) Lead your dog in the water with encouragement.
4) For some dogs, getting wet for the first time is enough. Don’t expect your dog to learn how to swim in the first session. Be Patient.
5) Provide a toy for your dog to play. Make your dog’s swim a FUN game.

I’m Golden Lucky as I enjoy getting wet and LOVE to swim. At a young age, 11 weeks, I started swimming. Does your dog enjoy swimming?

I am joining FitDog Friday Hop,
hosted by SlimDoggy, Peggy’s Pet Place and To Dog With Love.

Click Here to read our review of SlimDoggy App.
Read our previous posts on my Dog’s Health page.

Lots of Golden L♥VE n Woofs
SUGAR

I know it’s only Thursday but tomorrow, Friday, I have a special invitational post.
I invite you to check out my post. Golden Thanks!

Do’s and Tips of Pool Safety With Your Dog

Do’s and Tips of Pool Safety With Your Dog

K9 Splash: Reason To Cross The IL/WI State Line For K9 Fitness

Swim Fetch Play and Stair Exercise with K9FitVest

Turn Around Command In The Pool

Doggy Paddle: Safety Measures Teaching Your Dog To Swim

Golden Retriever Resources /Adoption

Golden Woofs Archives

Do’s and Tips of Pool Safety With Your Dog

Golden Retriever Resources /Adoption

Golden Woofs Archives

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