When to start using lifevests?

[Capri]

Question for senior (or older) newf owners:

How old do you swim your dog without a lifevest ?

Do you put a lifevest on during waterwork trainings when they turn 8? 9? 10? 11+ ?

And what, to you, determines that they need it (for safety) ?



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Our oldest is now 8,5 (still going strong ), and we were wondering if we should, just because of her age, put a lifevest on her. She still swims excellently (back never ever gets wet during trainings), she has a good condition (doesn't get seemingly tired in the water from the full day trainings even with long distances), but.. she IS getting older and I would not want anything to happen to her. So what do you do and why?



A picture of her swimming from last autumn:

 

[2Paws]

How old do you swim your dog without a lifevest ?
One of my training partners still swims her 12 year old girl without a lifevest. The duration of her swim isn't as long as the younger dogs but she does very well on her own. Her breathing is normal and she is swimming straight and effortlessly in the water.

Do you put a lifevest on during waterwork trainings when they turn 8? 9? 10? 11+ ? I put a lifevest on my dogs if I'm trying condition them for stamina. It doesn't matter how old they are for this kind of training. Our WRDX tests require the dogs to swim for longer periods of time in the water. For the older dogs, I will put a lifejacket on them when we first start swimming after our winter break. Once I see that they are not struggling with breathing and swimming erect in the water, I will remove the life jacket. The most important thing for me is my dogs have confidence in the water. I don't want anything to scare them.

And what, to you, determines that they need it (for safety) ? If I see a dog's rear end down in the water and their front paws up and paddling, I will put a life jacket on. If I see a dog breathing hard while they are swimming, I will also put a life jacket on them. The expression in their eyes also tells you so much. If I see fear or worry in their expression, that is also an indication that they are not confident with their swimming skills and need some help.

From the picture you posted, your girl looks fine in the water. Here's to many more happy swimming seasons for you and your pretty girl!

 

[wrknnwf]

Hugo, 11, still swims without one. He's a strong swimmer in spite of his age, but it worries me.

 

[2Paws]

I think that's wonderful that he is going strong in the water. I hope and pray I will be able to watch mine swim at that fantastic mature age.

Glory has spondylosis which will only get worse as she ages. My vet told me the best thing I can do for her is let her swim. I love watching her glide effortlessly in the water.

 

[Capri]

Thank you for your answers. That's pretty much what I figured out, but just wanted some reassurance on what to do. Other dogs in our group have started using them on their oldies, but I never really paid too much attention to when they started using them. It just sort of happened as the dogs aged.

Capri is still in a very good shape to swim, and thoroughly enjoys every minute she gets in the water, and doesn't tire up like the other dogs in the training group. I do currently use the lifevests like you do: only during endurance swimming. I will continue like this, and when I start seeing the signs of fatigue, I'll start using the lifevest on our "oldie" .

 

[CMDRTED]

I have a friend who has a boy (Blackie). He's over Ten, and competed in our regional trial in Sep 2010 for a water title. He swam without a lifevest, and was a wonderful swimmer.

My Personal opinion, and please feel free to either disagree or add your thoughts to this, but I think it has a lot to do with the dogs structure and lines, as well as how they learned to swim as a youngster. Some dogs always seem to need a vest, and some never need one. JMHO.

Just based on observations.