How Old Should A Puppy Be to Swim?
- Thread starter Subverto
- Start date
shellyk
New member
Great question! Our 7 month loves to go in the water but has yet to swim. We live near the Puget Sound and she wades in and gets really wet but never goes farther than where she can stand.
I agree with DAWNMERIE to wait until your puppy has had a full compliment of shots before taking her to a dog park.
I agree with DAWNMERIE to wait until your puppy has had a full compliment of shots before taking her to a dog park.
Sun Valley
New member
A puppy I sold was swimming in the owners pool as soon as they got him at 9 weeks old.
Lou Ann
Lou Ann
Puppypeoplenj
New member
Can anybody clarify the concept of puppy vaccinations for me? The little I understand is that they're supposed to "catch" the time slot when the mother's immunity wears off and the puppy develops it's own immunity? Does this mean that between rounds, the puppy is still in danger of infection, until he's gotten all his shots?
janices
New member
Going to post this article:
Striving for Puppy Wellness:
Are Early Socialization and Infectious Disease Prevention Incompatible
http://www.apdt.com/veterinary/assets/pdf/Messer_ND06.pdf
Striving for Puppy Wellness:
Are Early Socialization and Infectious Disease Prevention Incompatible
http://www.apdt.com/veterinary/assets/pdf/Messer_ND06.pdf
Puppypeoplenj
New member
Very useful article, thank you. It seems from it that it would be best not to take him to a public swimming area that unknown dogs frequent until he has completed puppy shots, around 12 weeks.
DAWNMERIE
Active member
Pools are great, wish I had one! I only mention about the lakes and dog parks from my lessons learned with Zeke. I had him in the lake early (they are not allowed in dog parks here until they are neutered) and I look back now and I should have waited. I spent tons of money on vet visits while he was a pup and I'll bet most of my issues stemmed from the lake and geese poop around here.
janices
New member
I've had my pups out swimming by about 12 weeks. If water training they are starting puppy water training. I avoid dog parks and where wild animals frequent. The 12 week socialization period is also called imprinting. You should be starting puppy obedience classes. Use common sense. There is nothing full proof. I have friend whose fully vaccinated pup got mutated strain parvo which shot did not fully cover. Not having the training and socialization has implications these days with dog laws in place.
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marylouz
New member
My pups swim here as soon as they make it out to the creek on our walks- usually 8 weeks or so, but it is not in an area with any other dogs accessing it - so the vaccines are not an issue - I would be very sure to have vaccines on board before heading out to a park (dog park or not) any place where people frequently walk dogs can be an environmental vector.
NinaA
New member
If you have a pool in your yard you really need to teach them to swim immediately, but if you're thinking of lakes, etc., I'd wait until they've had all their shots. Mine all go into the pool soon after they get here. I guess Moonlight went into the pool at about 12 weeks old. Echo arrived at 4 months and swam immediately. The Labs also went in at once, probably at 8 weeks.
shellyk
New member
Not to hijack this post but when do the puppies actually swim? Ziva will only wade or run in the water. At almost 8 months she doesn't actually swim. Our daughter is coming home this summer and bringing her wet suit so she can get in the water with Ziva. We're hoping this helps. It's way to cold to get in the water now :crazy:
DAWNMERIE
Active member
Your daughter in the water might just be the trick to get her out there. It's never to cold for them to swim, some prefer to wade. Myra used to swim (she's not the greatest swimmer mind you) but for the last 2 years she just won't...this year I'm getting in and if that doesn't work, her papa will go in...she can't be 3 feet away from him!
