Fai - Introductory Swim

Fai eyeing out the geese...

His introduction to the water on the ramp...not too impressed by the look of things

Michelle offers him some treats on a floating bowl...a good way for him to forget that his feet are in the water when his nose and eyes are focused on the food.

A short retrieval for a ball...just getting his body wet...

The squeaky piglet is the next toy retrieved from further down the ramp...isn't this fun?

Got it!! The squeaky piglet hasn't got a chance. Half way down the ramp.

The piglet is dead, now it's time to get a ball again. Right to the end of the ramp. I'm such a clever pup!

Fai is a wonderfully exhuberant 5 month old German Shepherd who comes for swimming lessons. Puppies can't do strenuous exercise so their swimming is a short structured play session giving them the necessary swimming skills. It's a fun outing which will eventually lead to a constructive exercise program.

[click on the pictures to enlarge them]

Condor

Isn't he handsome? Condor is a young adult German Shepherd who has fitness and conditioning swimming sessions. He has such good manners and is a real gentleman.

German Shepherds

We have many German Shepherds who come to the hydro for fitness and endurance training before breed show days. Typically, if people think of swimming for animals, it is generally associated with rehabilitation and therapy. Swimming can be applied to any breed to provide a controlled exercise routine that will:
o increase stamina;
o tone up and build muscle;
o reduce fat;
o increase agility and performance;
o strengthen limbs;
o Increase confidence.
Being able to swim in laps and keep track of the time and distance enables a structured program to be developed and followed that maximizes the benefits that swimming provides.

A program is developed that gradually increases, in time and distance, the amount swum. Each time the dog swims, the distance is increased, broken up with rest periods, that maximizes the physiological changes taking place in the exercising animal. This is similar to interval training used by performance athletes to reach top physical condition. We structure programs that consider the breed, initial physical condition and normal exercise routine, how well the dog swims and frequency of swimming. For maximum benefit and fastest results, we recommend swimming at least three times a week.For retrieving breeds, the session can be a combination of controlled laps and retrieving or all retrieving, depending on the fitness level of the dog and the desired end results.