If you outdoor fun involves water, you want to make sure your best friend is protected. Your dog should wear a life jacket. It’s the perfect addition for a fun weekend on the water. Just like humans, not all dogs know how to swim. This is a common misconception, possibly because of the swim stroke which is referred to as the doggy paddle. There are some dogs, like Pincers, Dobermans, and Boxers who have a lot of trouble in water. Other dogs dislike water and will only swim if they absolutely have to.

A dogs natural abilities in the water vary depending on the breed, size, physical strength and health. For those who own a puppy, it is important to use a gentle approach when introducing him to the water. Introducing the pup to water through a wading pool and slowly moving on to bigger ponds is sensible. You also want to look into what kind of water conditions your dog will be exposed to. Due to the calmer and gentler water movement of a wading pool, a puppy adapts better to playing around. Excess movement will make your dog anxious and complicate the process of teaching him to swim.

A dog life jacket will not only give you peace of mine, but also serve as an extra safety measure during your outside activities. Life jackets prevent drowning by ensuring your dog floats. In the event of an accident, this minimizes anxiety caused by disorientation. Human or dog life jackets come in handy to everyone that spends time around water. They’re so important, that they are mandatory on ferries, boats, and planes.

Initially when you put a jacket on your dog he might feel uncomfortable. With this in mind, you want to get your dog used to the life jacket by having him wear it at home, prior to going out on an outdoor adventure. Being at home will allow your dog to get used to the life jacket while in safe familiar surroundings, rather than in an unfamiliar outdoor setting. You want to ensure that your dogs first life jacket and experience of water is pleasant and enjoyable. This would help them to learn to love the water.

When choosing your dogs life jacket, you will want to keep in mind guidelines like the size and weight of your dog. The materials used are also important, so get something that is breathable and durable. Never let your pet wear it unattended as they might get entangled and make sure you buy a life jacket that has buoyancy ratings.

Dave writes lots of articles on dog life preserver uses and about how to find new dog life jackets online.