German Shepherds are admired for their physical abilities and courageous personality, which is why they often serve alongside the police force. But can they swim? Most importantly, can they swim in chlorine pools?
Most German Shepherds can swim, though they were not bred to be swimmers. However, they have what it takes to be trained for swimming. They can also swim in chlorine pools, provided that you take the necessary precautions to keep their skin protected.
Want to know more about letting your shepherd swim in chlorine pools? Keep on reading.
Should German Shepherds Swim in Chlorine Pools?
Well, first, can German shepherds even swim?
Yes, they can. They’re not bred to be swimmers, but most german shepherds have the physical attributes that make them good swimmers. With some training, and if your dog naturally loves the water, swimming can be his new favorite activity.
So, can german shepherds swim in chlorine pools? Yes. The pool is actually the best place for your shepherd to learn how to swim because of the shallow water and easy supervision.
However, chlorine may affect the natural oils in your dog’s coat and cause his skin to get dry and irritated. Therefore, there are lots of precautions to take, such as:
- Spraying the coat of your german shepherd with canine conditioner before swimming
- Rinsing off your german shepherd with clean water after swimming
- Combing out any tangles in his hair when he’s out of the pool to avoid shedding
- Drying his ears using a soft cloth to avoid moisture build-up
Using Pet-Safe Pool Chemicals
To keep your pool safe for your dog to swim in at any time, it’d be a good idea to use pet-safe pool chemicals. In most cases, chlorine is the obvious choice, but some pets are extra sensitive to it.
In this case, you might prefer to use different chemicals, like ozone, salt water, or enzymes.
What Makes German Shepherds Good Swimmers?
Although shepherds aren’t natural swimmers, they have the physical abilities that they need to be good ones:
- Long limbs: German shepherds have long, powerful limbs that make their movement faster across the water
- Long snouts: German shepherds have long noses that let them breathe easily while swimming.
- Double coat: These dogs have double coats that act as an insulator from the inside and repel water from the outside, which eases the movement across the water. Also, the thick coat makes it harder for the water to penetrate it.
- Webbed feet: German shepherds don’t have webbed feet in the typical sense of the word. They have an extra layer of thin skin connecting their toes. The thickness of this layer varies from one shepherd to another. That’s why some shepherds are better swimmers than others.
How to Train Your German Shepherd to Swim in the Pool?
In most cases, german shepherds love to swim and wouldn’t cause you any trouble to get them into the pool. However, if your shepherd is afraid, there is no need to rush.
Below you’ll find some helpful tips to ease the training process.
Teach Them When They’re Young
It’s always easier to start with your shepherds at a young age before they can develop negative feelings about the water.
You can train them when they’re as young as eight weeks old. Starting early can increase their chances of getting used to the water sooner and significantly improve their skills.
Encourage Them With Praises and Treats
Using treats can help your shepherd associate swimming with positive feelings. Whenever your dog reaches a milestone or learns something new, reward him with a treat.
The treats could be something he enjoys eating, a game he loves, a favorite toy, or even cheering and praising. The key here is to understand when to treat the dog.
Some dogs may need the treat to do a step as simple as jumping into the water. Meanwhile, other dogs won’t need treats except for significant steps.
Use a Life Vest
German shepherds are courageous, so usually, they wouldn’t need a life vest. However, if your dog is afraid, or if you’re training them at a young age, you may need one.
Swim With Them
To ease your dog, it’s a good idea to go into the water with them. Preferably, jump before them to encourage them to go in with you. If they still refuse to go in, don’t rush.
Never push your dog into the pool; let them take their own pace so they have enough time to get used to their surroundings.
Start With Shallow Pools
Ideally, it’s better to start with a shallow pool, one that’s up to your shepherd’s chest. Once your dog is comfortable enough at that level, you can go to a deeper one.
Try not to let your dog into a deep pool at once. It’s better to ease him into deeper pools gradually, so he doesn’t feel unsafe.
Be Patient
Most importantly, stay patient because not all shepherds have the same pace. Your dog may jump right off into the water, or they can be afraid to even touch it with their paws.
Stay calm and encouraging. Treat them for the small steps if they don’t make it far with their training.
When to Not Let Your German Shepherd Swim?
Although swimming is a good exercise for your dog, sometimes it puts your shepherd in danger.
Avoid letting them swim if they suffer from one or more of the following injuries and health conditions:
- Elbow dysplasia
- Hip dysplasia
- Degenerative disc disease
- Degenerative myelopathy
- Arthritis
- Epilepsy
Also, if your dog is too afraid to enter the water and you’ve tried everything with them, there is no need to force them. Chances are, they don’t like swimming that much.
Summary
German shepherds are a courageous breed. They can be trained to be excellent swimmers if they put their minds to it. With the proper training, they may love the water and develop a great exercise routine.
However, never force your dog to get into the water. Get in there first, take them step by step, and never leave them unsupervised.