Dogs Need Swimming Supplies

Does your pet pooch want to join in the family fun? Whether at the beach, the family pool or in the family kayak your doggie friend needs protection just as much as you do. This includes maintaining body temperature.

Hot sun on your kayak can easily mean sunglasses as well as that safety vest with handles you can grab to help a weary animal in an emergency. Of course you wouldn't let your dog run loose on any vessel. Therefore those loops on the safety vest can take a long leash through them to prevent a dog overboard crisis. In a kayak the dog is clipped in under the kayak's apron, but less than the long-legged human.

If you are hot and feel the sun beating down on you, you will keep your head covered and wear sunglasses. The same applies to your four legged companion. The reflected glare off the water affects your pet's eyes as much as yours. This isn't being cute. This is plain common sense. If you wear a sunhat and your dog accompanies you, it is easy to arrange a shade hat for the dog which can be attached loosely to the life safety vest.

In the Ocean you must protect your pet from the risk of being swept away by currents. Your superior swimming skills and knowledge will protect you. The dog's lesser body weight and limited skills need extra help. Exhausted humans can paddle, float or flip over into a back stroke. Your dog has one stroke - the doggy paddle.

It is wise to keep an extended leash between you and the animal as well as a life safety vest. Then a friendly tow can be given to the dog and the reassurance of your relationship, if waves or weather become a problem.

The family pool can be a serious problem because it is so familiar. Your pooch may leap into the water or onto an air filled float with you. Can it leap out of the pool from the water or onto the float? This is impossible for animals with four legs of virtually equal length.