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If you own a Poodle or Doodle mix-breed, you might have wondered if you can take your best friend along to a fun swim. Do Poodles enjoy swimming? Do they like water? How can you help your Poodle have the best possible experience if it is his first time going swimming?
In this article we will explore everything about Poodles and water.
Poodles are known as AKC show dogs these days, but their origin was quite different. Coming from Europe – specifically Germany – they used to be hard-working retrievers, working alongside hunters and retrieving fowl from lakes and rivers. The reason behind the Poodle’s unique coat is in fact this origin of the breed: it was originally developed to dry quickly and to be low maintenance when it gets wet frequently.
Based on the breed’s origin, it is clear that a well-bred Poodle from working lines will love to spend time in and around the water.
If your Poodle has never been in the water yet, you can gradually introduce him to swimming. Make sure to utilize treats that he enjoys or toys that motivate him to make the experience as positive as possible!
Ideally you want to pick a natural body of water for your dog’s first swim. The reason is that if he cannot see the ground, he will be much more trusting and able to commit to wading in deeper and deeper. If dogs can see the bottom of e.g. a swimming pool, they tend to be much more afraid!
The best places to teach your Poodle to swim are lakes that have shallow areas, or slow-moving, shallow rivers. If you live in an area with a lot of rainfall, even getting your Poodle to play in puddles is a great first step!
Poodles are not naturally averse to water like some other dog breeds. However, if puppies are not introduced to swimming when young, they may be apprehensive. This is especially true for Miniature and Toy Poodles, which tend to live more “pampered” lives. The less exposure your Poodle had to water and different surfaces such as snow, sand, ice etc. when he was a puppy, the higher the chances that he would dislike the water and take quite some convincing to go in.
It’s really important to note that even lap dogs can and should lead “normal” dog lives – meaning spending time outside, getting dirty and experiencing different surfaces and surroundings.
If you are raising a Miniature or Toy Poodle, do not just keep your dog inside on your lap – he needs to get out and explore the world just like his big cousins!
Yes, some indeed do not like being bathed at all! This can be due to owners using the wrong shampoo for their Poodle, not getting the dog used to being bathed as a puppy or – the worst case – the Poodle’s coat is already so tangled and matted that it hurts the dog to be bathed!
If you get your Poodle used to being bathed about every 3-4 weeks as a puppy, bathing him later in life will be easy-peasy.
Make sure that you brush your Poodle’s coat before bathing him. Otherwise you could literally felt his fur! Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner that will leave his hair smooth and shiny.
You should combine bath time with something pleasant for your Poodle: It could be a special treat afterwards, getting to play with his favorite toy or getting a massage from you. If you attach a positive association to it, your Poodle will like being bathed much better.
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If you own a Poodle or Doodle mix-breed, you might have wondered if you can take your best friend along to a fun swim. Do Poodles enjoy swimming? Do they like water? How can you help your Poodle have the best possible experience if it is his first time going swimming?
In this article we will explore everything about Poodles and water.
Poodles are known as AKC show dogs these days, but their origin was quite different. Coming from Europe - specifically Germany - they used to be hard-working retrievers, working alongside hunters and retrieving fowl from lakes and rivers. The reason behind the Poodle’s unique coat is in fact this origin of the breed: it was originally developed to dry quickly and to be low maintenance when it gets wet frequently.
Based on the breed’s origin, it is clear that a well-bred Poodle from working lines will love to spend time in and around the water.
If your Poodle has never been in the water yet, you can gradually introduce him to swimming. Make sure to utilize treats that he enjoys or toys that motivate him to make the experience as positive as possible!
Ideally you want to pick a natural body of water for your dog’s first swim. The reason is that if he cannot see the ground, he will be much more trusting and able to commit to wading in deeper and deeper. If dogs can see the bottom of e.g. a swimming pool, they tend to be much more afraid!
The best places to teach your Poodle to swim are lakes that have shallow areas, or slow-moving, shallow rivers. If you live in an area with a lot of rainfall, even getting your Poodle to play in puddles is a great first step!
Poodles are not naturally averse to water like some other dog breeds. However, if puppies are not introduced to swimming when young, they may be apprehensive. This is especially true for Miniature and Toy Poodles, which tend to live more “pampered” lives. The less exposure your Poodle had to water and different surfaces such as snow, sand, ice etc. when he was a puppy, the higher the chances that he would dislike the water and take quite some convincing to go in.
It's really important to note that even lap dogs can and should lead “normal” dog lives - meaning spending time outside, getting dirty and experiencing different surfaces and surroundings.
If you are raising a Miniature or Toy Poodle, do not just keep your dog inside on your lap - he needs to get out and explore the world just like his big cousins!
Yes, some indeed do not like being bathed at all! This can be due to owners using the wrong shampoo for their Poodle, not getting the dog used to being bathed as a puppy or - the worst case - the Poodle’s coat is already so tangled and matted that it hurts the dog to be bathed!
If you get your Poodle used to being bathed about every 3-4 weeks as a puppy, bathing him later in life will be easy-peasy.
Make sure that you brush your Poodle's coat before bathing him. Otherwise you could literally felt his fur! Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner that will leave his hair smooth and shiny.
You should combine bath time with something pleasant for your Poodle: It could be a special treat afterwards, getting to play with his favorite toy or getting a massage from you. If you attach a positive association to it, your Poodle will like being bathed much better.