Should we be concerned? Swimming in lakes?

[shandoggy1]

I have met a few dog owners who will not allow their dogs to swim in ponds and lakes because of fear of the dog getting sick from the water. One of the concerns is from the Canadian geese poop and waste they create. Another concern is parasites and bacteria. What do you think and how many dog owners on GP allow their dogs to swim in ponds, oceans, lakes, and streams. I have recently let Cai go swimming in a pond/lake we walk around and he loves it. I also know several others who's dogs have drank out of the pond everyday all their lives with no problems. One dog owner I know had a husky for 15 years who would take a drink out of the water everyday. So should we be concerned with it causing harm or are some dog owners just a little to neurotic?

[britishbandit]

I can't say I'd deny my dogs a swim and splash around because I was worried they'd get sick. But saying that, I wouldn't take them around here, well not the Detroit River area, that water looks awefully GROSS...LOL (I wouldn't even go in it!). I do plan on taking the pooches camping up north this summer (probably the Muskoka area, or along the Saugeen River), and one of the main reasons, so they can splash about in the water. The seem to have a fetish with it....whether it be rain, the hose, giant puddles.....
I guess to a point, I wouldn't allow them in polluted, nasty water, but hey, if I'll swim in it, why not them...LOL.
As for drinking the water......the amout of crap these two get a hold of outside anyway, I'm sure a little lake water is nothing compared to the "usual"....HAHA.

[sammy]

My dogs swim in a small lake / pond almost every day. Some people don't let their dogs swim there or drink from it but our local vet lets her two in so I don't worry
Sammy got gunky eyes last summer from it I think but I just used some over the counter eye ointment and it cleared up, never came back.
People fish in our lake so I'm more worried about cut paws dfrpm fish hooks and broken glass than I am anything else.

[Raised By Wolves]

I live near a saltwater beach, so initially it's just getting my dog to not drink the saltwater. This beach is pretty clean.

Working with my dog near waves and water was helpful for me too, due the fact Tia was terrified of all water when I got her. I came home so wet those first few trips down there from walking through tidepools with her. She really enjoys it now, and will go in swimming on warm days. I'm sure the cool water feels good!

Our local lakes a pretty clean, but I think there are times when they treat the lakes in the city to control certain weeds. That would be a bigger concern to me than a little duck poop.

[Glitzie]

I can not deny DaKota of swimming. We live across the street from a lake. She really enjoys swimming alot.I just have to watch her closely though. She is like a little kid & will pee in it. She is also the life guard when the kids are swimming too. She will whine loudly when they go to a certain point, if I am not looking.

[bigdoglover]

I had heard, once, that stagnant ponds with LOTS of algea are not good. But as far as creeks, ocean, lakes, etc, I'm not too concerned.

[mulroony]

I let my pups swim, but only in lakes I would go into myself. If anything I am less affraid of the health risk then I am of something like glass, a fish hook, or a snapping turtle getting my dogs.

[Tiffany0204]

How do you teach your dogs not to drink the water? Gizmo adores water, and my parents have a pool, but I dont' want him drinking the chlorine.

Just curious.

and woohoo for the Muskoka! I live off of Kempenfelt Bay and it's great water as well (Part of Lake Simcoe). Cold, but clean.

[anaconda]

I don't let Finn swim in the Adaja (our river/flood/trickle) for two reasons: a) my parents kill me and b) if you'd seen what goes into that river you'd agree. It stinks (in more ways than one).

[PawNclaws]

Ours go swimming in the river(that right across the street), we don't let them swim in any thing we wouldn't swim in.. In one of the magz. I have it had an artical about bactiria in lakes and ponds, ones that have alot of algie build up.. We preferr rivers and streams but with all the fishermen up here, we do get worried about fish hooks and fishing line in some spots.

[Novel]

If I'd swim in it, I let the dogs go in, and I'll swim in anything that's not too slimy. The water itself has to be clean, the bottom can be all seaweedy, and I don't mind.
Last year a few dogs died from swimming at beaches that had a high red algea count. I would avoid areas with lots of duckweed or algea, or places that are too stagnant. Maybe contact your DNR or Wilflife dept, they could probably help you decide which bodies of water are safe and which ones to avoid. They've helped me out in the past here in Wisconsin when I'm looking for a new place to practice our retrieves.

[TribalRats]

As always Novel, excellent suggestions

[Novel]

Thanks Tribal... That's awfully nice of you to say!!

[linnie]

I think we can go overboard on the protection bit.
Dogs usually love water so my rule of thumb is ...If i would swim in it then so can my dogs.
Also remember that we do treat our dogs for common worms etc.
If we only did things that were 100% safe we would get to do nothing.. how boring

[ladydog]

well evry year my family takes a vacation to montauk. anybody heard of it? my dogs love the water! the trouts are terrified when lady goes a running in making splashes every where!
my dog loves the water but i only let her in the water i may get in my self.

if me no get in dog no get in.