After our little excursion last weekend, I decided to post my 7 dog safety tips at the lake today. Going to the lake with your dog can be a lot of fun, but make sure you are prepared to prevent any disasters!
Last weekend, Bailie and I went along to a family member’s lake house up at Eagle Lake, just over an hour from our house. I’ve been there a couple times in the past, but it was Bailie’s first time. She was pretty excited as she hasn’t had much experience swimming in a real lake. The plan was for humans to have lunch and then spend time playing in the lake. Since we don’t live on a lake, dog safety tips for the lake are super important for us.
Tip #1 – Proper ID
Before you travel anywhere, always make sure your dog is chipped, and has proper ID on her collar. If we should happen to get lost away from home, we might panic and it is so important for anyone who finds us to be able to check our ID so we can get back home. Bailie and I both wear out collars even while swimming, just in case, but we are also chipped.
Tip #2 – Know your dog
The place we visited on the weekend is not fenced, so we were on leash at all times. You need to know your dog to decide if going off leash in the water or on the beach is safe or not. With two of us, Mom only had one of us out at a time so she could pay 100% attention to us. Remember, not all dogs like water, or like to swim! If your dog doesn’t want to swim, let them stay on shore or on the dock.
Bailie was super wild in the water, and it was tempting to let her loose, but Mom knew if she got on land, she would be gone in an instant. Mom kept us on long flexis so we could do our thing, not get tangled, and remain safe.
Tip #3 – What is your dog’s conditioning?
I’m in great shape, but I will be ten next month. I’m no longer the wild fool I once was. I prefer to wander into the lake, take it slow, and enjoy simply being wet. Mom knows I am content with a bit of swimming time and then off to rest.
Bailie, on the other paw, is wild and was out of her furs excited being at the lake for the first time. She was romping, jumping, swimming, basically carrying on like a crazy girl all the time.
Mom had to make sure Bailie stopped and took a break now and then or she would have gone wild until she fell over!
Tip #4 – Pay attention to the weather
Know the weather and how your dog handles it. The lake was full sun and no shade the first part of the day. It was important for us to get out of the sun to cool off. Even if you are dying to kayak with your dog, it will be hot in the sun. Take a break first. Just because your dog is wet, doesn’t mean they are cool.
Tip #5 – Be patient
Always be patient with your dog which is one of the most important dog safety tips at the lake. Dogs have fears just as humans do. Never force your dog to go into the water or participate in things on the water. I don’t mind sitting in a kayak on shore, but I’m scared to death if it goes in the water and starts rocking. Mom knows this, and leaves me on shore when she takes the kayak out. It would be not only terrifying for me out there, it could be dangerous if I decided to jump or tip over the kayak.
Bailie, is more adventurous, and she started learning to float on things in the pool at just five months old. She isn’t afraid of the rocking and rolling that happens on smaller floating items. Bailie and Mom did some kayaking and had a blast together. Remember when out on the water, both you and your dog should be wearing life vests.
Tip #6 – Stay near shore
Let your dog ease into the water at their own pace. Getting tossed into deep water can be frightening for many dogs. We always like to scamper along the shore until we get a feel for the water and then venture out slowly on our own.
If going to the lake and water toys are something new, don’t venture too far from shore. Always think of your safety plan if your dog, or you and your dog end up in the water. How will you get safely to shore, and together? At first when Bailie was on the float, she stayed real close to shore to get a feel for it and to see how she would react.
Once everything was going well, Mom hopped on and they went a bit further out being towed slowly. Bailie was wearing her life vest and was on leash so Mom would not lose her should something happen. If down the road she has more experience on the water, the leash may no longer be necessary. They both were having a blast.
The next step was acclimating Bailie to the jet ski. She was once again on leash and wearing her life jacket. The goal was for Bailie to see what it was, see how it floated, and find out where she could sit or stand. They stayed just a few feet off the dock and did some floating. Next time Bailie may be ready to have the motor started, but on the first time out, it may have been too scary.
Tip #7 – Always keep your eyes open
No matter what you are doing, always keep an eye on your dog. It only takes a split second for a dog to get into trouble, and you need to be there to help. We can get hung up or injured on something in the water. Loud noises may spook us. There are so many things that could happen. If you don’t have time to watch your dog, put them in a safe place for a break until you do have time.
Now shake yourselves off, and then head back into the water! With my 7 dog safety tips at the lake, you and your dog will have a blast! I know Mom, Bailie, and I sure did!
Very timely. Off to the sound today. Great tips. Sounds like you had a great time.
It was a lot of fun. Have fun yourself today!
oh 3 beautiful beach girls!!!your lake is wonderful. thanks for so much great tips, I think specially the leash is impawtant. we used a long lunge for horses for the walk on the beach… sadly Mark isn’t a good cowboy and the lunge rushed through his hands like a firestorm as Easy started like a rocket…. gloves are not only for winter lol
Sounds like our tracking line and Mom always wears gloves when we go tracking.
my dad learnt that lesson too LOL
What a very fun–and safe–time you girls had at the lake! We’d add an eighth tip where we live: Watch out for “critters” like snakes and alligators. Their presence definitely puts a damper on lake fun!
What a fun time! We want to get some kayaks and take the dogs with us.
I wish we were near water more often as Mom would love to have a paddle board or kayak, but we wouldn’t use one enough. She will just borrow or rent for now.
Great tips! I am not fond of the swimming pool, and the waters around here have nasty algae or dog eating gators. Our beach at the ocean is not dog friendly. Bummer because I might like that! XOXO Sparkle
Pools aren’t that great I think, and this time of year lots of our water has the nasty algae stuff too. Best to stay dry and not become dinner for a gator in Florida!
Now that looked like oodles of doodle fun for sure! Haven’t done the lake thing yet – but given time I’m sure Jaxson will have that experience one day soon. Enjoy your weekend! Thanks for the tips – they all make PAWfect sense to me. Better to be safe always! 🙂
When we first moved back to the US, the lakes were boring…no salt water, no “real” waves, but now I love the lakes if they are clean. Bailie is loving them too. We need to get back to the ocean for even more fun one of these days!
Wow! That looked like a great time! We have never been to the lake because our lakes come with alligators. BOL! BOL!
Oh dear, that is not a laughing matter! Yikes! Our lakes only have fish and are pretty safe. It’s a lot of fun swimming. I think Bailie is contemplating water skiing, but I find that to be a terrible idea!
What a wonderful mini trip to the lake! Lakes can be so dangerous for us pups! Thank you so much for sharing these tips! Looks like you guys had a great time!
We all had fun, but Mom and Bailie had the most fun I think.
I’ve always wanted to take the dogs kayaking, but we just don’t have the place where we could take it very slowly like we would need to. These are great tips, I think taking things slowly and gradually and staying safe are the most important things.
It looks like you all had a great time at the lake! Bailie is definitely the adventurous one. She reminds me of a little kid that you have to make come out of the water because their lips are turning blue. LOL
She would still be in the lake if we hadn’t made her get out and she totally loves adventure. I think getting her floating in the pool at 5 months old really helped her deal with things like kayaks, and jet skis. She loved it all!
Awesome tips. I’m glad I’m not the only one kept on leash all the time. That is a safe choice for me. Apparently I am unpredictable.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Bailie and I have great recall…unless something more important is going on. Leashes for us unless the place is completely fenced.
Now that was a whole big bunch of water fun, and darn good tips too! Have a fun weekend everyone!
For you kitties, I would suggest a wet suit under a life vest.
7 great tips #1 for sure as if dogs are presented with something new they could get scared and dart off. Looks like a wonderful time!
It was great. Wish we could go there all the time.
What great tips!! We are very interested in the water and are more of the “run along the beach” kind of dogs!
Smileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo
Running along the beach is also great fun, but we like to get into the water and get all wet too.
Mom keeps hope alive that I will go into the water someday but I think “not a chance.” Still if I ever change my mind, I’ll remind her of these great tips.
Your fur-iend,
Sam ?
We love the water, but Katie was never a water dog. It’s not for everyone.
We don’t have a lake near us where we can take the girls for a swim. The only access we had was at the boat ramps. And with only the two of us to handle the boat (and trailer), it would have been too dangerous for Callie and Shadow. We sold the boat several years ago, so we no longer go to the lake. Hubby’s sister has a house at the lake, but her hubby is allergic to dogs so any time we’ve gone down there, we’ve had to get a pet sitter for the day.
Great safety tips, Emma!! Especially “know your dog” – it is so important to know how your dog, especially when taking them on a new adventure!
What a shame you can’t take your dogs to your sister’s place. Couldn’t she leave hubby somewhere for the day? We love the water, but don’t get to swim all that much.
LOL. Actually, the lake house is in Buddy’s family, not ours, so the answer is no.
Great tips. While Ruby isn’t much a water dog, our former dog Pip was. He was a Yorkie and loved the water – though he sometimes was a bit over enthusiastic and thought he was a better swimmer than he actually was. We always kept the leash on as well as a doggie life jacket.
We haven’t tried anything crazy, but you never know. It’s always better to be on the safe side, especially when we don’t get to the lake much.
Hi Y’all!
Those are great tips, Emma.
By the way, you know we’re the same age and Thunder and I share a birthday.
Y’all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog
My birthday is coming up next month. I’m excited about turning a perfect ten, Mom isn’t as excited, but she is glad I’m happy about it.
Wooftastic tips Emma!
Your Barkday is coming up next month! 3 bum swings! 3 more!
Nose nudges,
CEO Olivia
I know! I’m excited to be a perfect ten, but Mom says the time has gone by way too fast.
Wow what an awesome adventure on the lake! Bailie is a real champ on the water, my dogs are more like Emma. I was dying to get them out on the water this Summer, but the closest we got was taking Icy to the beach a few times. These photos & tips are terrific, I’m sharing.
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
Thank you. Bailie is a pretty fearless water hound. Mom had a lot of fun with her doing all the different things.