Hi,

I'm thinking of taking Sal swimming, in a doggie pool has anyone done this with their dog?

Any advice, or thoughts would be welcome.

I know people take dogs with health problems either leg/back problems because it's a none weight bearing form of excercise. And also that some racing stables use swimming for their horses.

Sal is a Stafford 9 months old and no weight/health/ligament problems I just thought it would be another and good form of excercise.

Thanks Karen

Hi I take my Gsd bitch to hydrotherapy 1 weekly her stamina is improved and shes also much fitter I thought she was pretty fit after doing 4 miles every other day, but not so, she loves it, also at winter when excercise i restricted she will be going 2 weekly she has no medical problem either I just thought it would do her good and get her muscled up for the ring also her movement has improved she has a much longer reach, probably due to excercising those muscles properly hope this help I would say go for it

Janines

That is just what I wanted to hear Thanks.

I know I'm fitter for swimming so can only assume she will feel the same :).

I have just booked her in for Wed so fingers crossed. I am thinking once a fortnight for a while then once a week in the winter same as you Janines, with restricted excercise then. But I will be guided by Sal and the lady who runs the swimming. The lady who runs the swimming, supplies toys towels etc and you can get in the water with her too. So it should be good fun to.

How old is your bitch?

Karen

We take our dog for a regular swim but usually in a pond or now I go to a sea water marina which is closed in apart from a little entry bit so very safe and the boats only use one side leaving the other very safe and popular for dogs and he has muscled up loads, loves it and we have problems keeping up with the excercise he wants now!! :D :D My staff doesnt like the water though and tends to be front heavy and nearly drowns which doesn't help him like the water much. My friends two staffs dont swim either, so a doggie pool prob a good idea.

have fun :)

Each Stafford to their own ;) Sal likes water and I will have to see how she takes to it. But I hope she does enjoy it, I think it will do her good. Thanks

Karen

I'm lucky and have a water park nearby. I've been taking Anton there now for about 2 months, he's 5 months. Last week with the wonderful weather we went 4 times and the muscles that have come on him in the last few weeks are wonderful.

The dogs love swimming and I adore watching them.

Karen
that sounds great :D
Unfortunately Gus is a big Nancyboy and wont go near the water !! ;)
Lel

I have a GSD with hip probs she is now six and goes out for 3 times a day 30 mins each walk. But swimming sounds like great fun. I will have to look to find out if there is one near Oxford

Hi,

Check in your vets or on a search engine asking for dog swimming.
Found mine via my vets though. Good luck, I know having a dog with bad hips it's difficult to judge what to do for the best in the way of excercise sometimes.

Karen

Hi
Dexter and Puglet both go swimming to a Hydrotherapy pool. Dexter had disc surgery 4 years ago, and swimmng is wonderful for helping build muscle in his hind quarters. Puglet goes as a sort of preventative measure - she was a wierd little thing when born (my Vet describes it as "multiple birth defects") and her legs all wobble and turn out at idfferent angles! Vet and I both think it is almost certain she will suffer from Arthritis in later life, and that swimming will build up muscle and provide support to skelatal structure she cant get from walking ( very limited in how far she can do on dry land).

They both adore swimming, and are desperate to get into the pool as soon as they arrive. Lots of dogs go to the centre just for fun swims, and all the ones I have seen have a terrific time.

bye

Gwen

I think it sounds great fun :D
Wish we had facilities by us .

There's one at Stokenchurch.
If you do a search on google for hydrotherapy pools
for dogs in UK, it should come up.
They also have GSD's the owner that is.

My staffie has been going swimming at a hydrotherpy pool for about a year now he loves it great form of exercise and has done his leg good too when he couldnt go for walks.He justs dives in now takes them a little getting used too though think it might be all the strange smells!