Recreational Swimming

Swimming can be an excellent exercise for patients in need of weight loss, endurance training, and rehabilitation advancement. It is a fun way to exercise during inclement weather or when owners can not provide adequate exercise at home.   This is a great way to keep your cottage-loving Labrador happy during the winter.

We want your pet to enjoy themselves while working hard so we provide a wide variety of toys to keep them entertained. Pets will swim with a Blue Springs life vest to ensure their safety during these sessions. Sessions can be self-directed once your pet is comfortable in the water, however, initial sessions are guided by a staff member to ensure a safe and happy introduction to the pool.       

When is the Optimal Time for My Dog to Learn to Swim?

Dogs can learn new things at any age but we have found the earlier you introduce your dog to new experiences the better. We have found the sweet spot to be between the ages of 8 weeks- 16 weeks of age- during their primary socialization window.

We require all puppies to be current on their vaccinations and to provide a negative fecal sample test, though they do not need to be fully vaccinated.

Our goal at Blue Springs is to provide your dog with a low stress experience. We will go at your dogs pace and at no point will we take the approach of just throwing your dog in the pool to see what happens. We appreciate the trust you place in us to care for your pets and want to avoid causing any traumatizing experiences. Please be aware that we cannot guarantee your dog will swim during our sessions; a gradual introduction may be necessary, especially for shy dogs or those with prior negative experiences with water.

While we accept bookings for dogs of all ages, sizes, and breeds, certain factors may affect our success in getting your dog into the pool. These factors include but are not limited to size, confidence level, and personality. As we do not have a ramp leading into our pool, dogs must be confident enough to be either carried in or to navigate the steps independently.

Please note that we do not permit jumping from our deck into the pool for the safety of your dog.

Due to developmental changes in a dog's brain, large breed adolescent dogs (approximately 18 weeks to 1.5 years old) can present the greatest challenge in entering the pool. For dogs in this age group with no prior swimming exposure, we may recommend starting their introduction to swimming in a natural setting where they can gradually walk into the water or in a pool with a ramp for easier entry.

We do not recommend bringing your dog to our facility to address severe water phobias or aversions. This is best managed with the guidance of a trained professional who can help you to slowly and incrementally introduce your dog to water/swimming.

If you are uncertain whether your dog is a suitable candidate for our sessions, please feel free to call us. One of our trained professionals will be happy to discuss your dog's specific needs with you.

If you think recreational swimming could improve your pet's quality of life, give us a call at (519) 929-9222.