Can a puppy swim

[doggylady]

This might seem like a daft question but can a 12 week old puppy swim? I have a raised pond in my garden which I cannot fence off. I watch my pup all the time she is in the garden but she is so quick and has started to show an interest in the pond. This morning she dived up on to the wall in her excitement and was teetering on the edge of the pond and I just managed to grab her and stop her falling in. Unfortunately the sides of the pond are raised so she wouldn't manage to just walk out. I normally have an electric wire around the edge (to keep the cats from getting the fish) but the battery has run out of charge and I'm hoping this will deter her once it is charged up.

[happy_face]

That's a very good question, I have never thought about that. But I would guess it could, gotta be in the instincts as no one ever teaches dogs to swim and they just know how to. Many dogs that don't live by the sea or don't have access to pools have never tried swimming but most would automatically start moving their legs in water. They're might exceptions of course but I think the general is that yes they can all swim.

Like most babies swim too it's not until we get older we get scared of the water and forget about the threading water to keep us afloat

[heathfield]

Thinking about the raised sides, could you add some sort of ramp in the pond as a safeguard in case the puppy falls in un-noticed? A pile of stones or bricks could form a decorative feature, and allow any creature to climb out if it fell in.

[blue eyes ;)]

is it possible to put some kind of wire mesh lid on the pond maybe.then at least you can still see the pond but pup cant drop over the edge! i have a pup too,you need eyes in the back of your head dont you!! xxx

[jedimistress]

I think she should be able to swim but only until she got tired. I saw a drowned hedgehog the other day. He could swim but there was no way out of where he was, he must have swam and swam until he ran out of puff. Poor thing.

[doggylady]

Thank you for your good ideas. I used to have a lid on the pond when my recently departed little cocker was a pup 10 years ago but now things have grown up and stick up out of the water so not so easy to get a lid on it. The pond does have some shallow ledges at the sides, its only the middle that is deep although they are a bit slippery. The idea of some stones piled up is good as it is something for her to grip on to. Electric fence is still not working so I will have to be extra vigilant. Still perhaps she will turn out to be a very wise pup and stay well away, you never know!!!!!

[blue eyes ;)]

just a funny thing that happened yesterday!! my boyfriend was in the garden with my pup and his aunt was in the swimming pool and the pup decided to jump in the swimming pool,go for a swim and climb out on the steps!luckily thje pool was warm! so yep my pup can swim ! x

[E B]

well i have a eight week old puppy and he was running round the garden and i turned and before i knew it i heared a splash he had jumped in the pond and he was swimming round quite happily, so i guess the answer is yes they can. EB jr.

[drgnrdr]

found this at a website that talks about this subject:

It's also a myth that all dogs know how to swim. If most Pugs, Pekinese or Boston Terriers dive into a pool, they sink like a rock. While some dogs that can't swim understand their limitations and stay far away from the water's edge, others live in denial and still jump right in. Smaller dogs who love the water can use a child's wading pool, where they're not in over their heads. And certainly, dogs that are dog paddle-deficient should be carefully supervised by adults around the pool and should wear a life jacket (either one made for small children, or even better a life jacket specifically made for canines). A life jacket is also recommended to give dogs unsure of their abilities in the water some confidence. Even elderly dogs that were once as proficient in the water as a sea lion might now need the support of a life jacket, as well.

Some dogs don't know how, even labs, I had a guy ask me how to get his in the pool he doesn't want to get near the water. Some of the body heavy and short legs dogs may have trouble..like the ones listed above and the english bull dog etc..just supervise when around water and try and give them a way out and place a potted plant or something a dog can see in the water, remember their vison is short when their head is just above the water not like us that can bob up to see further, so they can aim for that object and find their way out...

to address the question: you can try potted plants and such or try a computer matt that usually goes under your computer chair, turn it upside down and trim it to fit around the pond, (prickly side up) stepping on it is a deterent to most dogs and cats..weigh it down so it doesn't move so easy, you can place a thin layer of diryt on it to make it not look so bad..or combo of these things...good luck

[E B]

Don't think thats true, as I said previously, my pup fell in the pond a was able to swim - its a Pug and he did not sink like a rock. E B jr