Does Your Pet Need a Dog Life Jacket?

I have to admit that I was surprised when I first saw a dog life jacket.  The idea seemed silly to me.  They even call the most basic stroke that children learn the "dog paddle" because swimming seems like such a natural thing for some breeds of dogs.  I have owned Labrador retrievers for years, and they have all taken to the water like ducks.  It never occurred to me that part of this might have been because I introduced them to water as puppies and got them accustomed to swimming at a very early age.  I also never thought about what would happen if I expected my dog to do the extended swimming that might be necessary if it fell out of a boat a couple of miles from shore.  My dogs basically frolic in the shallows.  They never do any marathon swimming.

There is a common misconception that all dogs are great swimmers.  It is true that some breeds, like labs, have been developed to perform very well in water, but many dogs who have not been specially bred for water based activities can find themselves struggling very quickly if they suddenly find themselves in an aquatic environment.  Even a "water dog" might find itself struggling if it is suddenly thrown out of a boat in the middle of a large body of water.  Having to swim for extreme distances or against strong currents is not something I would expect any dog to do naturally without any training.  If you like to include your dog in family activities and you routinely find yourself near bodies of water, you may want to give some thought to your dog's safety.

Different breeds of dogs will have different levels of swimming ability.  Just as some dogs can run and jump better than others, some dogs are simply not built for prolonged time in the water.  Over time, dogs have been bred for specialized purposes.  A quick look at all of the different breeds available should make it obvious that some dogs' physical characteristics are anything but conducive to swimming.  Short snouts and stubby legs matched with a heavy body is a definite recipe for canine disaster.

The best time to teach something to a dog is when it is still a pup.  You can slowly introduce it to wearing the life jacket and then expose it to water in steps.  You might start with something familiar like a bathtub or even a child's wading pool.  You can gradually increase the time that the dog life vest is worn and the exposure to water.  Eventually, once the dog is accustomed to wearing the vest, you can move to larger bodies of water.

If you are working with an older dog, you may have more of a challenge on your hands, but it is not insurmountable.  Do your best to make the experience fun for your older dog and look for ways to make it a game.  You do not want to constantly yell at the dog for resisting the jacket.  Wearing a dog life vest is not natural for the dog.  Of course, riding in a boat isn't either, so a compromise must be reached!

When you do decide to purchase a life vest for you dog, be sure that you get one that is rated for your dog.  Know your dogs weight and measurements before making any purchases.  An ill fitting life vest can spell disaster as your dog could become entangled in the jacket or simply fall out of it as soon as it hits the water.  As a responsible pet owner, you should take the extra few minutes involved to ensure that your pet's life jacket is properly fitted.  Remember that different life jacket sizes will be needed for dogs of different sizes if you decide to get your dog a vest.  Ask about the life jacket buoyancy to ensure that it will be sufficient to support your particular dog.  Also remember that any time you get on board a boat, life jackets should be put on by all human and canine passengers alike.  It is a small thing to take a minute to consider your dog's safety.  Be a friend to your dog and keep it safe on land or water.