Nearly drowned dog

Question
Hi Patti, I have a Silky Terrier Male 8 months old. He loves the water and will jump into our pool. He then paddles a little and then stops and starts to sink from the tail till just his nose and ears were out of the water at which time we panic and pull him out. How do we teach him to swim and save himself. Thanks Gary

Answer
Hi Gary,

While teaching your dog to swim is a very good idea, it might also help to get him a life vest until he learns. A dog life jacket or life vest provides your dog the same protection as a life jacket provides a child. Just strap your dog into a comfortable dog life jacket and let him have fun in the water, at least until you're sure he can swim on his own, and doesn't need the vest.
Here are directions for teaching your dog how to swim:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2034567_teach-dog-swim.html

http://www.vizsladogs.com/ARTICLES/teachswim.htm

Another good thing for any dog owner with a pool to have is a ramp inside the pool that the dog can climb out, if there's nobody there to rescue him. Here are examples of pool pet ramps:

http://www.rescuepetstore.com/pet-supplies-SKR1.html?gclid=CJ3g4O_7l5ECFQIQFQodt...

http://www.discountramps.com/dog-pool-stairs.htm


Good luck!
Patti