All dogs can benefit from learning to swim
THE CHAMA RIVER was cold in December when Randy first encountered water. He didn’t hesitate before jumping in, and after a brief swim got out and shook off the icy water as if it were the sort of thing he did every day. Throughout his life, Randy seized every opportunity to swim joyfully in every lake, river, stream, bay, or gulf he met. I loved swimming with him. With a little help from me, he even floated on his back. He never scratched me, as many anxious dogs do. He was a stray pup from the pound with a blue merle coat like an Aussie, but many of his personality traits, including his affinity for water, made me think he was probably a large part retriever.
Bro did not take to it quite like Randy, but he was willing to follow me into the water that hot July day so many years ago when we drove down the dusty switchbacks from Navajo Mountain to Lake Powell. He immediately swam well. Fourteen more years of travels took us from the Gulf to the Pacific, with many swimming opportunities. Tracy never really figured out how to use her back legs. Trying to stay afloat using only her front legs caused her to splash her face, which made her shift her weight even higher.
Bro, Tracy, Randy, and others are all gone now, as is access to most
beaches we once enjoyed. None of the six dogs I have now are naturals in
the water, and it’s hard to find safe places to swim here. However, I
want at least the younger ones to learn not only the technique but also
the joy of swimming. It’s good for them mentally and physically, and it
can be fun.
People are surprised when I tell them that my dogs are taking swimming
lessons, because they assume that all dogs can swim. They all naturally
“dog paddle,” right? Most retrievers come with the swimming gene, and
herding dogs usually don’t. But all types of dogs can learn to enjoy the
water, especially if they start young. Humans are the same way.
Gracie, Dixie, and Cowboy think playing at the edge of a lake or river
is one of the most fun things in life. Watching dogs play fills me with
such joy, I like to encourage it wherever I see the potential. We
started lessons at Enchantment Pet Resort with trainer Linda Johns.
After a few lessons, we camped at Abiquiu Lake so they could try out
their new skills. I was pleased to see that even Tony, who never wanted
to enter any water larger than the horses’ water tank, willingly came in
chest deep and proved he could use all four and keep his back up.
Dixie was the most willing to swim, but like Tracy she doesn’t
naturally know how to use her back legs. I was aware that she did not
jump as easily as the others, and surprised to learn from Linda that
many dogs do not use their rear ends properly. As their lessons
continue, I am happy to see that Dixie is now using her back legs. I
wish I had known how to help Tracy.
Last week, a water-loving foster pup named Sprite came into my life.
Once more I witnessed a dog respond to some magical attraction, in this
case a koi pond. My friend had intended to adopt her, but could not keep
her out of the pond. Was she sent to tempt me, a ready-made swimming
dog? Or perhaps to remind me to mention this—that water can be dangerous
as well as fun.
Photographer Joyce Fay founded Bro & Tracy Animal Welfare
in 2000, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping animals find the
right homes. The purpose of this column is to share some of those
stories.