Cavalier King Charles spaniels are great pets for kids and adults alike. These pets are fun companions for activities of mild to moderate intensity but are Cavaliers fond of water and can they swim?
Most Cavalier King Charles Spaniels enjoy aquatic activities and can become great swimmers. Like all dogs, they need a proper introduction to water, as well as training, and supervision. Cavaliers do well in crowded areas, such as public beaches, but they are easily distracted and can get lost. Keep an eye on your pet at all times for his or her safety on the beach or by the pool.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels And Water
Although these dogs have always been primarily family pets and lapdogs, they do have a streak of athleticism in them.
Historically, Cavaliers accompanied their owners on hunting trips and retrieved waterfowl from rivers and lakes. They chased small animals for their owners. So, these dogs are not just lapdogs, they are fast and adroit outdoors, capable of swimming among other activities.
Cavaliers Are Sociable
These cheerful pets are known for their extroverted and friendly personalities. Most activities that involve people, other dogs, and fun, in general, are usually well-liked by Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.
Being comfortable in crowded places, such as beaches, is important. Cavaliers also love pleasing their owners and interacting with their humans. That adds to these dogs’ high potential to learn new skills, including swimming and playing water games.
Cavaliers Respond To Training Very Well
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are average in their working intelligence. They have good obedience potential. These dogs are also owner-oriented, so they are enthusiastic about positive reinforcement, which makes training so much easier.
Dogs of their working intelligence benefit from repetition, and they are sensitive to the level of skill of the trainer, too.
Interestingly, Cavaliers are less responsive to commands if you stand farther away from them than if you stand right next to them. You may have to raise your voice or repeat your command to achieve compliance. This could be a problem if you are on a noisy beach or your dog is off-leash.
In general, however, Cavaliers respond well to training. So, your Cavalier will learn how to swim and how to behave in the environment of the water.
How To Teach A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel To Swim
It is easier to introduce your Cavalier to water when the is still young but the teaching methods are similar for mature dogs.
The idea is to introduce your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to swimming with as little stress for the dog as possible. The dog should begin to associate water and swimming with playing and having fun.
1. Start With Shallow Water
Kids’ or doggy pools are great to start with, very shallow water in a lake is also a good option.
- Start with playing with your dog to make your pet feel at ease.
- Spark your dog’s interest with a squeaky toy. See if your pup enters the water on his or her own, and whether or not you need to provide some guidance.
- Your dog might just start swimming instinctively while following your lead.
2. Train In A Familiar Environment With Few Distractions
Some dogs are afraid of water in the beginning so starting in a kids’ pool in your yard or on your deck offers several advantages. Not only is it great from a safety perspective, but it also addresses a couple of other problems:
- If your Cavalier is easily distractible as is so typical for the breed, a familiar environment could make it easier to focus and avoid all the distractions of an exciting beach.
- If your dog has some anxiety or simply struggles with becoming comfortable in the water, a familiar setting is a good option to build up skills and comfort.
3. Swim With Your Dog
Have fun with your dog! If other family members (human or canine) can join, that will help, too.
- Swim with your dog. Your pet is more likely to relax if he or she can follow your lead
- As with many activities, if another dog can join, that could be key to quick success! Dogs often feel more confident when they have canine company, especially if the other dog is comfortable in the water.
- Some dogs start swimming right away, others take a long time to get used to the idea. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels typically do well in water but it is still important to avoid pushing them.
4. Offer Rewards
Rewards speak well to most dogs. Treats could be important in the beginning but eventually, verbal praise and neck rubs should do the job. It is vital to reward regardless of how much progress your pet is making, effort is what counts.
5. Read Your Dog’s Cues
If your Cavalier is uncomfortable, try another time. Any encouragement should be limited to inviting the dog to follow your lead. It is okay to pause and try again later if your furry friend does not seem to be having fun.
6. Prioritize Safety
Never leave the dog unattended even if your pet appears confident in the water.
Dogs often lose vigilance when they enjoy an activity. Your pet may not be aware of his or her fatigue when retrieving a ball or a stick, for example. Many dogs also focus on pleasing the owner and will not stop despite being tired.
7. Consider A Life Jacket For The Dog
Consider investing in a good life jacket for your pet if your dog swims in open water. Have your dog wear the jacket at home a couple of times before putting it on for swimming. Dogs often need to get used to wearing a new item, especially one as bulky as a life jacket.
8. Protect Your Dog From Heatstroke
Being by the water can be a great way to cool down in the summer but spending a day on the beach in hot weather could still be a challenge for people and dogs alike.
Keep in mind that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are a brachycephalic breed, which is part of the reason these dogs are sensitive to hot weather. Please read our post on keeping your Cavalier safe in the summer heat.
9. Keep Your Pet Hydrated To Prevent Him From Drinking Sea Or Lake Water
Staying hydrated is important in general but it also reduces the amount of sea, river, or lake water that your dog will drink inadvertently while swimming.
Salty sea water is not good for the dog and can cause nausea and vomiting. Dogs tolerate lake and river water better but there is a risk of ingesting some bacteria that way, so it is also not ideal.
Related Question:
Are Cavaliers Good Running Dogs? A grown-up Cavalier should tolerate short-distance running in moderation quite well. Being flat-faced and prone to joint and hip problems makes running long distances challenging for these dogs. Reading your dog’s cues and allowing your pet to build up some stamina in a graded manner is important if your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel joins you for any activity of moderate intensity.
