These dogs are quintessential outdoor activity companions but do border collies like water and can they swim?
Many border collies do not like water right away but they can become great swimmers. Border collies can be hypervigilant in crowded, overstimulating environments, such as a beach or pool area. These dogs’ exceptional learning capacity and their focus on the owner make it possible to come up with a strategy to properly introduce your border collie to the water and train him or her to swim.
Border Collies And Water
Border collies are farm animals and herding dogs, so swimming has not been a big part of their lives as a breed, historically. However, this breed can adapt and develop new skills, and being introduced to the water at a young age is particularly helpful.
In addition, these dogs do have some traits working to their advantage.
Border Collies Are High-Energy, And Swimming Can Be A Great Way To Exercise
Border collies are somewhat hyperactive as a breed.
An hour of walking or another physical activity daily is the minimum amount of exercise your pet needs. These dogs are also famously intelligent, so they like a variety of activities.
Swimming and having fun in the water can be a great outlet for these dogs’ exuberant energy. Aquatic activities are also a wonderful way to cool down in the summer. So, if your herder does acquire a taste for swimming, water games can become a fabulous way to exercise.
Border Collies Can Learn!
Stanley Coren, a well-known canine psychologist, ranks border collies as the #1 smartest breed of dogs, pertaining to the breed’s working intelligence, in particular.
Here is what the border collie’s high intelligence means in practical terms:
- You do not need to be experienced or skillful as a trainer to achieve good results when training your dog
- The dog will show an understanding of a basic new command in less than 5 repetitions
- The dog will remember commands and skills even without regular practice
- It almost always takes only one time to state a command for the dog to respond, and the response of very prompt
- Unlike some less intelligent breeds, you don’t need to be close to the dog for a border collie to understand and respond to you
The breed also has strong instincts. So, if your border collie seems to be wired to dislike water, it might take him or her a long time to tolerate swimming. In other words, border collies definitely have the capacity to do well in the water and on the beach but only as long the dog enjoys it.
Border Collies Are Hyper-Alert And Can Get Overstimulated In A Busy Area
This is not unique to border collies but these dogs are hyper-aware of the environment and could seem distracted on a busy beach.
Your border collie might not listen and seem to be paying attention to everything that is happening around him or her. Some border collies might get anxious and not enjoy the crowd very much.
It could especially be an issue if your border collie is just learning how to swim. It might be best to teach your dog in a familiar setting and when not much is happening around you.
How To Teach A Border Collie To Swim
It is easier to introduce your dog to water when your pet is still young but the methods are similar for dogs of any age.
The idea is to introduce your pet to water in a low-stress environment. 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 good.
- 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
Many border collies are afraid of water in the beginning so starting in a kids’ pool in your yard or on your balcony has some advantages. Not only is it great from a safety perspective, but it also addresses a couple of other problems:
- If your pet is easily distractible or anxious, a familiar environment makes it easier to focus and avoid all the distractions of a busy beach
- Starting in a low-stress and safe place allows the dog to build up confidence and gain new skills
3. Swim With Your Dog
Have fun with your dog! If other family members (human or canine) can join, that will help, too.
- 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.
- Let your border collie set the pace. Some dogs start swimming right away, others take a long time to get used to the idea.
4. Offer Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is essential in teaching a dog a new skill.
Treats could be important in the beginning but eventually, verbal praise should do the job, especially for such an owner-oriented breed.
It is important to praise and reward regardless of how much progress your pet is making, effort is what counts.
5. Read Your Dog’s Cues
If your border collie 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 the dog is not enjoying the process or seems distracted.
6. Prioritize Safety
Never leave the dog unattended even if your pet appears confident in the water.
Dogs often lose self-awareness when they really enjoy an activity. Your pet may not be aware of his or her own fatigue when retrieving a ball or a stick, for example. Many dogs also focus on pleasing the owner and refuse to stop despite fatigue.
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. 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.
9. 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.
Border collies are quite hardy in hot weather but it is still important to keep safety in mind and take measures to prevent your pet from overheating. Please read our post on keeping border collies safe in hot summer weather.
To Conclude
Your border collie is quite likely to eventually begin to enjoy aquatic activities and learn how to swim. Some dogs, however, remain unwilling to go into the water. If that is the case, you can keep trying to gently encourage your dog but avoid being forceful in any way.
Some pets prefer to observe others’ swimming from a distance and that is fine if that is what they desire.
