Many people think that they can put their dog in a swimming pool and they will be able to swim automatically. But do Huskies like water and swimming? While a lot of dogs are capable swimmers and enjoy this activity, your Siberian Husky may not be so keen.
Do Huskies like water? Yes. All types of Huskies like water. Siberian and Alaskan Huskies enjoy playing in water when the weather is hot. However, these types of Huskies aren’t fond of swimming and will not automatically know how to swim. Huskies must be trained to swim and must always start off with a doggie vest.
Just because your Husky doesn’t enjoy swimming in a pool or lake right away doesn’t mean that he won’t in the future. With the right techniques and plenty of practice your Husky can learn to swim and eventually love doing it. Here’s how…
Can Huskies Swim?
All types of Huskies like water.
Dousing their thick fur with some water during the hot summer months feels wonderful to the canine and will help cool them down.
But if you’re wanting to take your dogs water-loving to the next level, you need to know how to help them swim.
It All Depends on the Husky Breed
Keep in mind that it depends on the breed of your Husky.
- Siberian Huskies are outgoing dogs that are sweet and gentle, making them the ideal family pet. The Siberian Husky won’t like water because he was originally from the freezing land of Russia, which means he’s a snow lover. It will take extra time and effort to get him into the water.
- Alaskan Huskies were bred for sled pulling just like the Siberian Huskies. They’re energetic and full of affection which means they are perfect for racing and taking on hikes. However, they’re not water lovers and they will need some extra time to get used to swimming.
- Dogs that resemble Huskies such as Eskimo dogs and Alaskan Malamutes are more likely to enjoy the water. They have similar features of a Husky, but their unique personalities and need for physical activity will allow them to swim easier.
How to Teach Your Husky to Swim
Thinking about teaching your beloved Husky how to swim? The proud pet owner should know that it will likely take a lot of time and energy on their behalf. If you’re up for the challenge, follow these steps:
- Always use a doggie vest. A doggie vest is similar to a human’s life vest. It wraps around your pet and keeps them from sinking in the water. As Huskies aren’t born swimmers, they need this in order to keep them safe until they are confident in the water.
- Start off slow. You never want to rush your Husky into the water. They are already opposed to deep water, so starting in the shallow end with just their paws is ideal.
- If your dog shows resilience to the water, stop! Some Huskies won’t even enjoy having their paws in the water more than a few inches. If they are showing any signs of stress or frustration being in the water, take them out and let them enter the pool on their own.
- When all is well, go deeper into the water. Once your Husky is confident with their paws in the water try and go deeper. Always make sure your Husky is willfully going deeper and you are not forcing them.
- You may need to support their belly at first. Huskies aren’t natural born swimmers. You may need to place your arm underneath their belly while they learn to swim. This is essential for their safety and will give them more confidence as they learn.
- Use positive tones. Always keep a positive tone when helping your dog learn to swim, just as you would a human. This will give him the positive reassurance necessary for confidence in the deep waters.
- Keep at it. Remember that your Husky isn’t likely to jump in and be a confident swimmer in one go. Be persistent with your water time (as long as the Husky is enjoying it) and he should be able to swim on his own in the near future.
Why Should You Teach Your Husky to Swim?
There’s a lot of wonderful benefits that go along with teaching your Husky to swim. A few of these include:
- It’s safer. If your Husky knows how to swim there is less of a chance of them getting hurt or potentially drowning in a body of water. When they know how to swim, you can feel confident taking them around pools, lakes, rivers, and the ocean.
- It’s fun for pet and owner. Spending some quality time with your dog is always beneficial. If you can add swimming to the mix, you and your Husky can bond all summer long.
- It can help cool down their fur coat. During the summer months your Husky can overheat quickly and show signs of heat exhaustion. Friendly grooming reminder: Don’t shave your Husky! If they are able to cool down in the water, it can ultimately help them stay healthy and avoid potential problems.
Staying Safe in the Water: Things to Keep in Mind
When you’re dealing with a Husky, you know they aren’t natural born swimmers. This means that special precautions must be taken to ensure their safety, just like you would with a child:
- Always use a doggie vest. The doggie vest is placed for their safety. It helps to avoid potential drowning while your pet learns to swim.
- Don’t leave your Husky unattended. Huskies likely won’t know how to swim, so leaving them unsupervised is never a good idea. This is especially true around rivers where there may be currents that can sweep your unconfident swimmer away.
- Never swim in cold weather. Huskies have a high chance of developing hypothermia if they’re swimming in ice cold water. Always check the weather before swimming. Check out some winter activities.
- Don’t let your Husky overdo it. When your Husky starts to enjoy swimming, they may not know when to quit. To avoid exhaustion, make sure you take your Husky out of the water after the right amount of time.
Related Questions
For the most part, Huskies don’t mind taking baths. As long as the water isn’t too deep they should feel happy and confident playing in the shallow water while being bathed.
It’s important to note that Huskies shouldn’t be bathed too often. They do not have the normal oils found in other breeds which can cause foul odors over time. Bathing your Husky too often can also lead to dried out coats and skin.
It’s not that Huskies ‘hate’ water. Think about where they were bred. Pure Huskies were originally from freezing cold environments where they were bred to pull sleighs through the snow. Huskies are used to snow and would prefer to be in that type of environment.
A lot of Huskies simply don’t like the way water feels on their body. Playing in the water in the shallow end can be enjoyable for some, but going deeper is a bigger concern.
Some Huskies may also be afraid of water. As they aren’t a breed that is confident in the water or enjoy it on their coats, it can be fearful to go too deep.
