Bathing is a real enjoyment for the dogs, but it is important that during it, we pay attention to them and others too. We looked at how two service dogs in training play on the bank of the Danube. After this, we shared a few thoughts with you about what an owner must watch out for during water-related adventures. 

The Baráthegyi Vakvezető és Segítő Kutya Iskola Alapítvány (Baráthegyi Guide and Assistance Dog Foundation)’s puppy raisers know how important playful experiences are for the development of the future guide dogs they have been entrusted with. 

On a hot Summer day, Bönde Boróka and Tóth Hajni took Merkúr and Maros to the peak of Hajógyári island. The one-year-old littermates live so close to each other that they have daily activities together. The two labradors happily ran around like usual, they played with sticks and jumped into the water – actually/more accurately, only one of them did so at first, because the black dog was braver in the beginning.

“Merkúr has loved water since he was little. Even now, he ran in, started swimming and brought back sticks. Hes a completely instinctive dog” said Bönde Boróka.

The yellow coloured labrator approached the water more carefully, but he slowly gained confidence. 

“Maros hadn’t swum so inunhibitedly until now.  Before, he was a bit hesitant about water, but it was a joy to watch him swimming for the stick and enjoying himself.” said Tóth Hajnalka.

Everyone takes a step forward at their own pace/Everyone progresses at their own pace

Every new experience matters in the course of puppy raising. Dogs discover the world at different speeds, so it is important that they get patient support. Today Maros took a big step today toward acting more self-assured in situations that are not so comfortable for him yet.

Puppy raisers, supporting our foundation with their volunteer work, receive professional guidance and share their experiences with each other. One of the results of this is that their dogs are always safe. Of course there are special aspects too:

“I can see that the fresh cold water is especially beneficial for Merkúr since he has black fur. This way he can cool himself down.” said Boróka.

Of course playing on the waterside isn’t just about cooling down: the puppies get experiences, their confidence develops and they can enjoy their lives without  inhibitions. 

“It is also reassuring for us to know that they won’t overheat in the sun, so this is a frequent Summer activity” said Hajni.

Waterside game rules for dogs and owners

The waterside running and swimming is a joy for our dogs, but it is worth paying attention to several aspects so everyone enjoys themselves. To all responsible owners we suggest the following information: 

1. The dog should only go in the water with permission, not of its own accord, and should stay there for as long as the owner allows.

2. It is important for the dog to have good recall.

3. Don’t bother others who want to relax or play on the waterside: for eg. Dogs shouldn’t run up to other dogs or owners because this can disrupt/ruin their fun.

4. Let’s bring along our dog’s own toy, so they don’t take someone else’s.

5. Let’s not give treats to our dog in the water, it is better to do that on land/on the shore.

6. If the dog hasn’t been in water yet then they need to get used to it gradually. Do not start by swimming in deep water.

7. When there is a vehicle approaching that can cause big waves, let’s call our dog out of the water so they don’t get frightened. Otherwise it can have a negative effect on water safety. (While labradors are good swimmers, this includes them too.)

8. Let’s pay attention to our dog’s health, for eg. Dogs that swallow a lot of water in a short amount of time can get “water intoxication/poisoning”. In this case, the blood’s sodium levels drop, which is very serious and can lead to life-threatening brain swelling and neurological symptoms. 

9. After too much swimming the so-called “dead tail syndrome” can occur. This means muscle fatigue accompanied with pain due to overexerting the tail muscles during swimming. The dog will not be able to move its tail, if the problem does not resolve itself within a few days then the dog should be taken to a veterinarian. The owner deciding how long their dog spends in water can prevent this from happening. 

10. Wet dogs travelling in a car can get sick, so we should dry them after playing in water.

Photos: Gombai Gellért (Danube riverbank), Köbli Mónika (Lake Balaton)