Water Dogs

If your dog is a breed whose background has evolved from say… the desert he may not be as enthusiastic to wet his toes as one whose relatives were bred to retrieve from the water.

Hyrdrotherapy and swimming can be used for injury recovery and increased cardio workout without the harsh, jarring land activities sometimes present. This is especially true for overweight pooches as there is less weight-bearing stress on the joints.

The current perceived energy output of this ‘low-impact workout’ is as follows – 1 minutes swimming equals approximately 4 minutes of running due to the resistance water provides.

Be patient. If your dog is not a ‘natural’ when it comes to getting his toes wet please encourage him into the water and don’t dunk or force him in.  The temperature and depth should be considered.  Just like us it takes time and practice to become a better and more confident swimmer.  As fitness increases so will his stamina in the water.

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)