Dogs love the to be in the outdoors, but if any of your adventures involve the water, make sure that not only you has safety gear on. Your dog is your best friend, and it makes sense for your dog to wear a life jacket if you’re out for a day of sun and sea. The term doggy paddle is a bit of a misnomer as not all dogs can swim. The term is just used to describe a type of swimming stroke. There are some dogs, like Pincers, Dobermans, and Boxers who have a lot of trouble in water. Some dogs dislike water and will only swim if they really need to.

There are many factors that affect how well a dog can swim in water. These include the type of breed, how big the dog is, what his fitness level is, and how healthy he is. If your dog is a young pup, you need a more gentle approach when introducing your dog to the water. Start with a wading pool and gradually move on to something bigger such as the beach. Conditions in a wading pool are more appropriate for introducing a dog to water. Due to the calmer and gentler water movement of a small pool, a puppy adapts better to playing in it. Placing your puppy in water that has too much movement may cause him to get anxious. This can lead to your dog getting into a lot of difficulty.

A dog life jacket will not only reassure you, but also serve as an extra safety measure during your outside activities. Life jackets prevent drowning by ensuring your dog floats. In the event of an accident around water, this will minimize anxiety caused by disorientation. Whether human or dog, life jackets are beneficial to all. It is an important piece of equipment and is a statutory element on boats, ferries, planes and any vehicle.

Initially when you put a jacket on your dog he might feel uncomfortable. With this in mind, you want to get your dog used to the life jacket by having him wear it at home, prior to going out on an outdoor adventure. Being at home will allow your dog to get used to the life jacket while in safe familiar surroundings, rather than in an unfamiliar outdoor setting. You want to ensure that your dogs first life jacket and experience of water is pleasant and enjoyable. This would help them to learn to love the water.

In selecting a life jacket for your dog, there are some guidelines and features to consider and remember, such as the size and weight of the dog. The materials used are also important so get something that is breathable and durable. Be smart: Don’t let your pet wear the jacket unattended; the animal could become entangled and choke.

Dave writes articles on the dog life jacket and about how to find a designer dog life jacket on the internet.

Estimates have the number of dogs and cats in North America at 58,000,000 and 62,000,000, respectively, and it’s a painful truth that thousands of them are victims of accidental drownings annually. Due to the fact that many people do not report these drownings, there is no way to know exactly how many pets actually die this way. Although, 99 % of dogs can swim, we have a false sense of security when we see our dogs running and jumping in and out of the water at the lake or our back yard pool. A significant percentage of dogs and even some cats are only able to swim a little while before they become fatigued. With this in mind, these animals go into a panic state when they are unable to quickly find a way to get their paws on solid ground. This panic is what causes them to drown. But it is more than just a problem for pets, for loving pet parents will selflessly and without hesitation dive into a frozen lake or rapidly flowing river in an attempt to rescue their animal.

What can we do to prevent our pets from becoming a drowning victim? These are some worthy suggestions:

1. Do not make the assumption that your dog is able to swim.

2. Keep a closer eye on a pet that is getting older. As they age, they are unable to swim as when they were younger.

3. Never toss a cat or a dog into the water. They will panic from the initial shock.

4. Purchase a canine floatation device (CFD) or pet life jacket for your dog or cat. If they are going to be near water, put it on them. Often a pet may fall off a dock or out of a moving boat without our knowledge.

5. Things like solar blankets and pool covers appear to be a solid surface for your pet. Remove them whenever possible when your pets are around the pool.

6. Put up a pet safety gate to impede a pet’s access to the pool area.

7. Be certain that your canine and feline friends cannot easily access a neighboring pool.

8. Get a pool alarm for your pool or pond.

9. Don’t let your pet play or walk near fast flowing water.

10. Keep your pets away from frozen lakes & rivers.

Seeing your pet drown and the awful guilt that is associated with it can be overwhelming and very difficult or impossible to recover from. I strongly encourage you to have a look around your property for obvious water hazards. Whether it is summer or winter, you need to drown proof your home as well as your vacation property NOW. If your pet is going to be anywhere near water, make sure they are wearing a canine floatation device or pet life jacket.

Jake writes articles on the best dog life jacket and about where to find cheap dog life jackets online.