Due to several body conditions, poodles are likely to become great swimmers. Their webbed paws and waterproof coat support them in the water. With the right training and adaption, you can train your dog to swim.

Can Poodles Swim?

Most of the poodles love water and can also swim. Nevertheless, they are not born swimmers. You need to teach them how to swim.

Good to know: Since poodles originated in Germany, they have unique and thick coat that helps them protect themselves in the water even in the German cold. So, taking your poodle to the water won’t hurt them without worrying that your dog may get cold.

It is important to keep in mind that every dog is different and has its own character. Due to that, it may be that your dog won’t like water or swimming.

Guide: 6 Steps How to Support Your Dog to Swim

Poodles are among the best swimming dogs. They not only love water but also will take any chance to jump in the pool with you. Their physical features, history, and also high energy make poodles naturally prepared to water. In case you are willing to teach your Poodle to swim well, there are a few steps you need to follow to make sure your poodle can swim with confidence in the water.

1. Choose the Right Location

To teach your dog how to swim, you need to find a place with shallow water. This way, your Poodle can wade in deeper and deeper gradually. Small lakes with calm and plain areas are perfect.

Tip: It will be better if you can find a place with other dogs so that your poodle can get company. With proper company and guidance, dogs tend to learn quickly.

2. First Touchpoints with Water

Firstly, you have to expose your poodle to water. Especially when your dog has never entered the water yet, you should start slowly.

Ensure you go deep enough to make your dog wet a little and it can run its paws in the water. Exposure to the sight and sound of water is indeed important here. Simply let your dog become familiar with the new environment.

3. Support your Dog in the Water

If you show your poodle that water is okay, they will certainly be more encouraged to spend time in the water. Along with your dog, you should join your pet in the water.

When you enter the pool start to show that you are enjoying it, and your dog will also show interest and join you in the water. Try to make this experience the most positive. Your poodle is more likely to join in this new experience.

4. Train Your Poodle

Every owner has some individual tricks when he or she trains their dog. Poodles are great learners and intelligent, this process will make things way easier for you when you try your hand at this.

Tip: For this, you can also seek help from an expert first. 

5. Encourage Your Dog

If your dog is in the water and trying hard to swim but somehow isn’t getting there then simply, call him in an encouraging and happy voice. Also, you can coax your dog with a treat to encourage him to do better.

As soon as your dog starts swimming, give him a treat or two. After that, let your dog return to further shallow water to practice a little. You’ll need to be very patient and show your poodle encouragement and love throughout the process.

6. Keep the Swim Intervals short

The shorter the “swim intervals” initially, the quicker your dog will learn to swim. Among the many mistakes, the most common one is that dog parents try to push their poodles too far in the beginning that their poodles get tired and thus show disinterest in the procedure. That is why you need to be very patient in the beginning. Take your dog to the pool every day for a shorter interval, instead of taking them once or twice a week for a couple of hours.

3 Reasons Why Poodles Are Good Swimmers

Thanks to physical conditions and their instincts, poodles have the right requirements to be great swimmers.

Poodles Are Professional Water Retrievers

Poodles were reproduced to retrieve games, such as geese and ducks, from the water. They have the instincts to hunt the birds in the water.

Physical conditions 

The difference to the feet of other dogs is that instead of some webbing between their toes, poodles have webbed paws. With this benefit, they are conditioned to swim effectively. 

Besides that, these dogs have only one layer of curly fur. This can make swimming easier. With the fluffy parts in between, their organs won’t be compromised by the cold of the water.

Poodles Are Very Alert Observers

Since poodles are very alert observers, you can teach them to swim by going into the pool yourself. They will observe you and will learn to swim very quickly.

Be patient and supporting

Remember that not all poodles are the same. Just like human beings, every individual dog has different characteristics. If your friend’s dog learns to swim within a month, your dog doesn’t need to also learn it in a month. Depending on your poodle’s characteristics and his reaction toward the water, be patient and slowly but steadily teach your poodle how to swim.

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