How to train an Icelandic Sheepdog to swim? Many people think that dogs can swim when they are born, but in fact, dogs, like humans, have to learn. The following article about developing dogs into good swimmers may be helpful to you.

Element 1: Choose the appropriate place

When teaching a dog to swim, the size and age of the dog should be taken into consideration. If it is your first time to take your dog swimming, you should choose a good place as a "paparazzi training ground". A private swimming pool is of course the best choice, and streams and rivers are also good. It should be noted that the chosen training space must be clean and free of debris at the bottom, otherwise it will be unsafe for both humans and dogs. When you first start swimming with your dog, you should choose a shallow place to facilitate teaching.

Element 2: Safety is the most important

Before letting your dog go into the water, you must tie the dog's leash. This will ensure safety and make it easier for parents to control the dog at any time in the water. When the dog encounters problems in the water, such as sinking, the dog can be rescued in time through the rope chain. After the dog is on the leash, the "first swimming lesson" can be officially started. It may take more than a dozen lessons for humans to learn to swim, but dogs can usually swim decently after just a few hours of learning. Generally speaking, fat dogs and long-haired dogs have better floating abilities than other dogs, and it is easier for them to learn to swim.

Element 3: Use toys to lure your dog to practice in shallow water

When swimming for the first time, the owner should accompany the dog to shallow water so that it can get used to activities in the water. The owner can gently splash the water on the dog, but never splash the water on its face. So as not to make the dog feel uncomfortable. Sometimes, the dog may feel very panicked and struggle desperately even in shallow water. When encountering this situation, the owner can put his hands on the dog's abdomen to support it and give it enough support. Soon the dog can Calmed down.

When the dog can stay calmly in the water, the owner can hold the toy and induce the dog to swim forward step by step, so that it can slowly adapt. Most playful dogs will swim around happily following toys. When your dog is used to swimming in the water, you can take it to swim in deep water.

Element 4: Special treatment under special circumstances

Generally speaking, adult dogs will learn to swim slightly slower than puppies. If your dog is an adult but has not swum yet, it is more appropriate to choose a beach for the first time swimming. The method of teaching an adult dog to swim is no different from that of a puppy, and it also needs to be done step by step. The owner can jog with the dog on the beach first, then start in shallow water, and then move to deep water after the dog gets used to it. When the dog leaves the shallow water area and his feet cannot touch the bottom of the sea, he will swim naturally.

Although most dogs are not afraid of water, there are some special cases. Under normal circumstances, as long as the owner is patient enough, the dog can be adapted to activities in the water. If your dog is extremely afraid of water and reacts violently as soon as it enters the water, and cannot calm it down in the water by any means, then you need to seek help from a dog training expert. Do not force the dog