By Shelly Leibowitz
Dogs always need exercise. While walking your pet (at least three times a day!) is a great way to get them moving, there are many other ways to help Fido get the exercise he or she needs. One of my favorites, especially in the summertime, is swimming.
Going on walks is tough in the summer, with canine overheating being a serious concern. Many dog owners will shave their dogs’ coats and only exercise them early in the morning and late at night to help beat the heat. But swimming is a great alternative because it not only gets your animals moving, but also helps cool them off, just like it does for humans. Even better, indoor dog pools have air conditioning so you can cool off while your pet gets some good social playtime in!
Another benefit of swimming is that owners can do it with their dogs, either by swimming with the animal or by playing with floating toys the dog can retrieve. These sort of interactions help build up the relationship between you and your best friend the same way that playing catch in your backyard will.
Unlike walking or jogging, swimming uses every part of a dog’s body, which keeps him or her in great shape by burning off calories while simultaneously being easy on joints. This form of exercise is great for dogs of all ages because it doesn’t stress growing bones in puppies or cause injuries in adult dogs. Swimming also won’t inflame arthritis in older dogs.
Many veterinarians will also recommend swimming as a form of rehabilitation because it helps build muscle and joint strength without further injury but, regardless of injury or not, always make sure to check with your vet to ensure that your animal is fit to start swimming.
Just like with humans, you also need work on building up your pet’s stamina. Most people can’t jump into a swimming pool, lake, or ocean and swim 30 laps right off the bat and neither can dogs. Pay attention to your dog and make sure to stop before Fido overtires.
Here’s to a summer of healthy aquatic fun for you and your dog!
Shelly Leibowitz has been training dogs in obedience, Schutzhund competition, and drug and explosives tracking for more than 40 years. He is the owner of Shelly’s School for Dogs, and recently opened The Green Leaf Pet Resort & Hotel in Millstone, New Jersey.

