Not long ago, we came across the video below, where an owner is walking their dog along the riverside embankment, except the dog is in the water – and on a lead, no less. Beyond the fact that the situation seems quite amusing at first glance, the owner actually deserves praise for it.

advertisement

We will immediately explain why it is important for your dog to remain on a lead even during swimming or water play.

Why Your Dog Should Stay on a Lead Even When Going Into the Water

I live very close to Római-part, so I definitely walk there a few times every week. Naturally, many people go there with dogs in every season, so I have more than once witnessed enthusiastic dogs becoming so exhausted from water fun that they could barely swim back to shore. Many times, owners do not even notice that the dog can hardly keep up their pace in the water anymore – because they become lost in thought or are chatting with each other – so they keep throwing the stick into the waves again and again.

Enthusiastic, water-loving, eager-to-prove-themselves dogs will jump into the water for the thrown object even for the thousandth time, beyond the limits of their strength. Of course, swimming is a healthy form of exercise for most four-legged companions, and they are instinctively good at it, but after the tenth or twentieth round, no dog will be quite as fresh while swimming back. They not only have to battle the weather (extreme heat or cold) and their own enthusiasm, but also the current. Indeed, even the most agile dogs can become tired, their legs can cramp, or something in the water can injure them, which may make it difficult or impossible for them to swim back to shore.

Just honestly think about how likely it is that you would be able to swim after and rescue your drowning dog – even if they only weigh 5-10 kg – while you yourself also have to struggle with the current and the stress caused by panic. You do not even need to be a poor swimmer for what started as an innocent game to easily become fatal for both of you.

And of course, you could say that there are water rescue services or someone on a motorboat or jet ski nearby, but what sensible owner would base such a sensitive, literally life-or-death situation on blind luck?

How to Prepare for Water Play as a Responsible Owner

Special life jackets for dogs are already available, and we definitely recommend them for all games by or in the water, especially for bull-type dogs, elderly dogs, young dogs, small-bodied dogs, and dogs with chronic illnesses. Just like human life jackets, they keep dogs afloat; however, rescue is still not solved, which represents a significant risk in the case of a fast-flowing river. (Although most of them have a handle on top, this will not help you from a greater distance.)

Dogs should wear a life jacket if they go into the water! / Photo: welovedogz.hu

So, a lead should always be on the dog when they go into the water, even if you think it is excessive. However, it is important that in this case they wear not a collar, but a securely attachable harness. You can even confidently use a 10-metre training lead for this (a flexi lead, also known as a retractable lead, is not an option in such situations), so that your pet can truly enjoy the water fun without either of you having to compromise. This way, if the dog becomes tired or unwell, you can pull them out of the water by the lead.

We strongly ask that if something goes wrong, do not swim after your dog, but immediately call the local water police! It is a good idea to save their number in advance if you frequently visit somewhere or are visiting a new place.

In summer, before going into the water, always cool down a little in the shade first / Photo: welovedogz.hu

Pay Attention to These Things as Well for Safe Water Play

• Do not go into the water during extreme heat or cold.
• Make sure that the area where you would like to play in the water is safe for the dog. There should be no rocks that could injure them, no powerful waves, the shore should be clean, and the water suitable for bathing.
• Gradually allow your pet into the water in hot weather as well, because they also need to acclimatise to the different temperature. First let them cool down a little in the shade, then allow them to gradually wade in by the shore. Once their body temperature has adapted to the water temperature, throw the stick for them for the first time, but even then not too far away. It is best if you remain in shallow water.
• If you start throwing the stick or the ball, watch your dog to see how much their pace slows down, whether they hold their head lower after several rounds, or whether they are gasping in panic while swimming out.

For safety’s sake, depending on your pet’s fitness, activity level, and abilities, do not throw the stick more than 5–10 times at once. But this number may be even lower if you can see that they are getting tired.

advertisement