Summertime PSA: be very careful around water while your pup learns to swim!

Hey guys! I have a 21 weeks old Aussie-Beagle mix named Jasper. His sister is a lab mix who is obsessed with swimming, so we decided to start getting him used to being around water, too.

Last night, we suited him up in his lifejacket and went to the local river - a very mellow, slow-moving spot, very shallow. He was definitely nervous, but did well! After taking him out to the middle of the river (2 ft depth or so), I’d let him go with his 30 ft long line attached to his jacket and he’d get himself to shore (about a 12-15 foot swim that became shallower as it approached the shore).

The fifth or sixth time doing this, though, the water took him. Despite having been happily wagging his tail as I put him back in the water, was like his energy was suddenly zapped, and the current - weak as it was - took him and pulled him under. I immediately began pulling on the leash to get him up, and dove toward him, but it still took me about 5 seconds of him being submerged to get there and lift him. I got him out and he coughed a few times, but seemed fine.

We headed back to our car (about a half mile walk in the woods) and he seemed normal. But as we got in the car, he started coughing and sneezing a bit, then shaking as he curled up and laid down. I called the vet, still anxious from the incident, and she had us come in immediately to have him checked out.

He was in with the doctor for about an hour before he was cleared - lungs were clear, heart sounded good, he was alert. We were so relieved.

But even so, the doctor impressed on us that it’s so important to be vigilant around dogs and water, especially with puppies. It exhausts them, and they can suddenly go limp because their energy is just depleted. Many of them aren’t strong enough to keep their heads completely up, even with a lifejacket, and it’s very easy for them to submerge. Even seconds underwater is enough to drown a small dog, and they can suffer what’s called “secondary” drowning hours or days later from fluid build up in the lungs from inhaling or swallowing water during the incident. So, we’re watching him the rest of the week for signs of coughing, lethargy, or fever - anything that could indicate fluid build-up or infection.

We’re feeling really lucky that our guy is doing fine, because it could’ve have been so much worse. Learn from us and make sure you’re fully versed on puppy water safety!

TL;DR: Puppies are weak, so be very careful as they learn to swim this summer. Lifejackets are helpful, but you also need to watch them carefully because they can drown quickly and quietly. If your pup is submerged even for a few seconds, call your vet to touch base, and look out for signs they’ve aspirated water or may have an infection.

Jasper for pup tax!