Excluding drowning, what would be the downside of swimmng 2-3 times per week. I know this would be a lot easier on the hip joints themselves. I have a year old Rott who will retrieve endlessly when we're at the lake.
He who has never tasted soap has never bathed a dog
Robert VanCamp Webboard User Reg: 11-28-2001
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At 12 months I think that would be ok. What I have done for dogs with hip problems is wade out into the water a little ways and then play. That way they were always swimming in the water. Better for conditioning and less jumping and screwing around on the bank.
Our dogs love swimming. (There are 3 at our house.) Our vet first recommended it for one of our dogs that does have hip problems. He did tell us that swimming is less stressful an exercise as others have already stated on this board.
One caution, our Jessie is the hunter in our clan and she saw ducks swimming and wanted to swim after them. My husband had to swim out and bring her back.
I spread out a few balls just out of my dogs reach and hold him by the tail. he will swim for 8-10 minutes get winded and we start the process over again.
VanCamp started with something I think is important to mention. This jumping around in a foot or two of water can be dangerous. Particularly if there are rocks etc. present.
I have a pond, and like Jody, my dogs are in it almost daily during the summer to help them beat the heat. If your dogs are in the water a lot, keep an eye out for ear infections.
Also, the body temp is lowered in the water so it takes a lot longer for the dog to get the same work out that he would be getting out of the water.
Swimming is a great way to build up muscle mass while protecting the joints. Just exercise common sense. Make sure the area is free of hazards, that there are no strong currents, and that the water temperature is not too cold. As with any exercise, don't overdo it.
Swimming is excellent exercise and good therapy for dogs with problem joints as well. I've seen programs where they use water therapy to rehabilitate race horses. Even though it's much easier on the joints, because of the water resistance you actually get a better workout. Don't overdue it though. The water will keep your dog from overheating but he will actually be getting more strenuous exercise than you think.
This is my first post so I hope I get it right.
I have done lots of water work with my Terriers
(2 Borders 1 JRT). I found out the hard way to stay out of lakes that are heavily fished. My JRT, Pete, came out of the water with a bass plug in his shoulder. Before I got to him, he grabbed
it and yanked it out. You guessed it. I had to push it through his lip and cut it off. Being the tough, hardheaded JRT that he is, he headed straight back in the water but I called him off and called it a day. Water is a great way to exercise and just have fun but think about where you are.
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