Seeing a dog splash around in water is one of the greatest things to watch. It looks like they are having the time of their life! So can Goldendoodles swim? Of course, they can! It’s in their blood.
If you didn’t know, the Goldendoodle’ss parents, the Golden Retriever, and the Poodle are water specialists. Both breeds were bred for hunters, specifically waterfowl hunters, to retrieve the game they shot from the water. Both breeds are comfortable in the water, so why shouldn’t a Goldendoodle?
Even though a love of swimming is in a Goldendoodle’s genes, it doesn’t mean that your Goldendoodle will love it. If you notice your pup is anxious around water, don’t worry! Here are five ways to help introduce your Goldendoodle to swimming, and I promise they’ll fall in love with it. They’ll go from this:
![](https://mygoldendood.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Goldendoodle-pool.jpg)
To this:
![](https://mygoldendood.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Dood-swimming.jpg)
How to get your Goldendoodle to love being in the water!
Start Small!
The first thing that you need to do is to START SMALL. If you live near a lake or a beach, don’t just go out there and expect them to fall in love with swimming! These are significant bodies of water and can cause anxiety and extreme fear in your dog. So start small. Get a small inflatable pool, put it in your backyard, fill it up, and have your Goldendoodle get in that first. You can use treats or a toy to lure them in, or you might have to get in yourself to show them that it’s ok. Getting your Goldendoodle used to the water around his paws and legs is a big step toward eventually getting them to swim.
Get your Goldendoodle used to a Bigger Body of Water
What I mean by a “bigger body of water” is a lake, river, or ocean. Once your Goldendoodle is comfortable with having standing water around its paws and legs, it’s time to move on to these locations. Make sure these locations are free of dangers, such as steep banks or cliffs. If you’ve taken your Goldendoodle to these locations before and noticed it causing anxiety, try going when it’s not busy and there are no other distractions.
When you’re there, you HAVE to get in the water with them. I can’t stress this point enough. GET IN THE WATER. Your Goldendoodle trusts you, and when they see you get in, that’ll give them the “ok, this place might be safe” signal. I live near the ocean, and this is how I introduced the sea to my Goldendoodle, Nash. When I first took Nash to the beach, I noticed he was anxious about the water but also curious. The second I went in and showed him that it was ok to be in the water, he came right to me.
Be Their Guide
Whether starting in an inflatable pool or out in the ocean, ensure you’re right by their side the whole time. YOU need to be their guide and show them that it’s alright. Some people say to throw them in some water, and they’ll figure it out, but that could backfire and make them never want to swim again! When you’re in the water with them, and your pup still seems anxious, put your arms underneath them and guide them through the water. Just like you would with any baby. Take “baby” steps and gradually let them go to figure it out for themselves, but always be there as that guide.
Use Floatation Devices
If you’re planning to be around the water frequently, do me a favor and get a floatation device for your Goldendoodle. Not only are they great for training devices, but they also keep your pup safe, and you get to keep your peace of mind. Using a floatation device on your pup will give them that boost of confidence they might need when they’re in the water. It’s essential to find the right one for your dog. To see some tips on how to find the suitable floatation device for your Goldendoodle and my recommendations, read this.
Consistency is Key!
If you’re teaching your Goldendoodle the command on how to “sit,” you’re not just going to teach them once and then never use it again! It’s the same for getting them acclimated to the water. You can’t expect them to see water for the first time, jump in and be world-class swimmers! If you want them to be comfortable in the water, you must consistently have them in the water. It’ll take longer for some dogs, especially if they are prone to anxiety, but give it some time, and it’ll happen.
So do you think you can get your Goldendoodle to love being in the water? I know these tips might seem basic to some of you, but I’ve seen people get frustrated when they take their Goldendoodle to the lake or the beach and expect them to fall in love with swimming automatically. I did everything in the article, and now Nash loves being in the water. With time and patience, I know yours will too!
Do you have any additional tips to add? I would love to hear them! Leave a comment below on how you got your Goldendoodle to love the water.
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