Life Jackets For Dogs

Both our dogs are still quite young, 10 months and 4 months, but they Love the water! Although Remy is still a puppy, he has become a good swimmer over the last 3 weeks. Rhino on the other hand is just starting to figure out how far out he can go and how to start using his legs to swim. Our oldest dog Remy loves swimming and he loves to retrieve. In order to give him a good work out and still be safe we have him in a life jacket when there is a strong current in the river where he swims. Often the current will carry him 100 feet down the river before he is actually back on land with his stick. It is important to us that our dog has the opportunity to do what he loves doing best, and be safe.

For Remy that means swimming and retrieving in deep water, he loves the challenge and he loves the hard work. If we had enough time in the day, Remy would swim and retrieve for several hours before packing it in. But dogs get tired and fatigued just like we do and so it's important to keep our dogs safe. .

The truth is not all dogs can swim, and not all those that can swim are great swimmers There are certain breeds that are excellent swimmers naturally like Labradors or Retrievers. All dogs have special strengths and weaknesses Some breeds of dogs have an instinct built-in to rescue people. The best known is the Terranova (Newfoundland) others are the Labrador and the Retriever. Due to its size and physical attributes the Terranova is definitely the most suitable for this kind of work as it has very thick fur insulating it in water and giving remarkable resistance to cold, large paws that are like webbed feet to make it a very efficient swimmer over long distances, even while pulling heavy burdens and in winter. Its size also giving great strength puts it above other breeds for water rescue.

But the more important element is the instinct to rescue being part of its character. The dog attitude towards the master in water is evident: the animal will appear strained, excited and will furiously try to get free from leash and dive to rescue him.

Dogs absolutely love water, most of them at least! If your dog isn’t a fan of water, dog life jackets are proven methods of getting a dog to feel comfortable and confident when out for a swim. Life jackets not only protect your dog from drowning, but also allow your dogs to carry out difficult tasks like swimming out further distances and retrieving toys or sticks. If you are anything like our family, there is no better way to spend your summer day in bonding with your dog by getting them out in the water or swimming with you. If you have a Search and Rescue Dog in training then getting them use to wearing back packs and life jackets are good for them. When a working volunteer dog retrieves a body out of the water, doggy life jackets are essential. The human body can weigh double its weightin water when retrieving cadaver, so having a life jacket on the dog not only protects the dog, but assists the dog in rescuing the person or pulling a body out of the water. Dogs are usually good swimmers, unlike cats who hate water. However, depending upon the age and the physical condition of the dog, swimming to large distances may not always be a good idea. Swimming is an excellent exercise for your dog. However, proper dog health care and precautions should be taken to make sure that your dog is safe while in the water. One of the best dog swimming tips is to make sure that the dog is supervised closely while it is swimming.

It is also important to keep your eye on your dog while swimming as your dog may have a cramp and may drown before you have the chance to help it. If you are taking your dog swimming with you, always make the dog wear a life jacket approved for canines as a safety measure. Our dogs love retrieving heavy sticks out of the water in fact most people comment on the size of the log Remy carries in his mouth at the dog park. We take the dogs to the dog park twice a day, with 2 hour combination of swimming and walking. So they get a total of 4 hours every day at the dog park. Nothing pleases them more than bringing something they worked so hard for to retrieve back to you. With Remy it is obvious swimming and retrieving brings a smile to his face. He is truly happy. Whether your dog is a seasoned swimmer or a first-timer, making it safe and fun is key for a successful swim. One of the main reasons a dog may hate water can be blamed on their introduction to a large body of water. Water or weather conditions can cause fear, or potential problems even for a pet that is typically a strong swimmer.

Any dog can get fatigued or disoriented. Older dogs, especially, can tire easily. Pets with low body fat can have trouble when exposed to water for long periods. Health issues, such as hip or joint problems can also make swimming difficult for some pets. We have both our dogs swimming for exercise and it is less tension on their joints than running after their ball. Using commons sense is key. A dog life jacket can help keep your pet safe while aboard your boat or around any body of water where there are strong river currents or rough seas.

Pet life jackets are designed to keep the animal afloat in a horizontal, swimming position. An additional, important function of a pet life jacket is as a retrieval device, should your pet fall overboard. If you find you pet enjoys boating as much as you do, a dog life jacket can provide your pet with an extra measure of safety. However, your sense of caution and common sense are still your pet’s best friend. When taking your dogs out boating or in any strong waters especially for long periods, please make sure your dog is always safe and consider getting your dog a life jacket! Be a responsible gaurdian. Remember, just 6 inches of fast-moving water can sweep a car off the road. Don’t risk your dog in fast-moving rivers.