Why would you need a dog life jacket? My sisters and I love swimming in pools, ponds, lakes, and the ocean. We can all swim, so why would a life jacket be necessary? Just as humans who can swim need one sometimes, so does your dog.
My GBGV Life received one Outward Hound Granby RipStop Dog Life Jacket from Chewy.com to review as a member of the Chewy Influencer Program. My GBGV Life did not receive any monetary compensation for this review, and receives no additional benefits for barking about the product or the company. The opinions in this review are the honest opinions of My GBGV Life.
In the past, we have needed a life jacket, and have had to borrow one, so when Chewy.com asked us to review the Outward Hound Granby RipStop Dog Life Jacket as a we said, “yes.” They really do have everything a dog might need available online, at good prices, and with fast shipping!
Not all dogs can swim. If you have a non swimming dog, a life jacket would be a must around water. We don’t wear one normally at the beach, but if we go out on a boat, are in a place with strong currents, or large waves it is a safety feature we don’t want to be without. Dogs have a lot of energy, but we can only dog paddle for so long. A life jacket can save our lives if we get too tired to keep swimming.
The Outward Hound life jacket we received is super simple to put on and will work for all three of us according to the size and weight chart. To put it on, first the buckles have to be opened and straps resized.
Next Mom puts it over Madison’s back and around her neck. The velcro around her tummy needs to be put together snugly, but not too tight. The straps around the back and tummy need to be snapped together, as well as the one around her neck.
Make sure the flotation cushion is out and under your dog’s chin to help them keep their head above water if need be.
We didn’t have access to a boat for our review, so Madison will demonstrate her life vest at the beach. Since she is pretty short, she doesn’t have to go in too far before her paws no longer touch the bottom of the lake. At first she was confused when she tried to swim because she was floating, but within seconds she forgot all about her dog life jacket, and started paddling. We had to keep her on a long leash as she wanted to head for the beach to chase ducks!
One of the most important life jacket features is the handles on the back, allowing you to grab your dog. If your dog falls off the boat and can’t get back in, you can just grab her.
In the above photo, you can see how the float cushion under Madison’s chin helps keep her head above water while she is swimming.
Madison adjusted well to wearing the dog life jacket. Mom would like to try paddle boarding with us, and we would need to wear a life jacket if we try that. Overall, we are super happy with the Outward Hound life jacket, and may actually buy a second one from Chewy.com. Has your dog tried swimming in a life jacket?
Wow. awesome post. Madison is an adventurer!! Have a great Friday! your doodle friend Dash
She is an amazing little machine. Madison has no fear and is game to try anything, except food and treats!
Love the Outward Hound Life Jackets. Have a 15 year old with balance problems and she is able to swim with no problems in her Outward Hound Jacket. Just ordered a new one for my new puppy to help get him used to the water and allow him to be able to do our therapy – 20 minute swim in place- swims with my other 3 dogs.Good product for a very reasonable price.
I definitely like this one.
Very nice. We have thought a time or two about kayaking, and then we would need a jacket for sure.
Bailie borrowed one from someone when we tried kayaking and it was great. Mom would like to try canoeing, but she is afraid we might tip the boat over if we saw something too interesting on or in the water.
Yay for life jackets! We’re big believers. You would be horrified to see how many dogs we’ve seen falling off docks. If they had a life jacket, they would have been easier to get back to land using the handles. Besides that, many of the areas we travel in have strong currents. Not every waterway is calm and easy.
Just as with people, even strong swimmers need a life jacket for certain situations. Dogs are not born to be olympic swimmers, even water dogs need to train, but even then, currents and stuff happen and they need to be safe.
We don’t live near any big bodies of water and we don’t have a pool, but we think a life jacket is a great idea for those that do. One can never be too careful.
Woos – Lightning, Misty, and Timber
If you are around water, it is something you definitely need to have on hand if not on the dog depending on what you are doing.
That’s pretty cool and the handles is a really good idea!
Handles are super important if there is ever a need to grab your dog.
It are smart to wear one when ya are out on a boat!
That is a definite must. We can swim, but if we get out in the middle of the lake, we might not be able to swim to shore.
Wow! We tend to stay away from the water, you all are so brave!!
xoxo,
Rosy, Jakey & Arty
That is a bummer. We all love to swim and wish there were more opportunities.
Seeing as how we have no place to take the girls swimming, I don’t need to buy them life jackets; but if that ever changes, I’m glad to know I can get a quality one from Chewy!
No swimming, no life jacket. Pretty simple!
I love that! If Bentley or Pierre were to go in a boat or in a pool, they’d definitely wear one.
If they ever decide to get a boat, keep it in mind!
That looks like a GREAT life jacket. We’ve thought about one for Shyla due to her epilepsy…
It’s really nice. Epilepsy would be a good reason to get one too.
That’s a nice life jacket! We used to have them for our beagles when we had our boat. They didn’t mind wearing them at all. We didn’t have them until Kobi fell overboard one time. Thank goodness he was a good swimmer and was OK – he wasn’t happy about being in the water though! LOL. We got one for him right after that.
Just like with people, it is for safety whether you can swim or not.
What a great life jacket! Thanks for the great review.
It is a real nice one!
This is a great water safety accessory for dogs. I’m dying to get out on a boat with Icy & Phoebe and I need to get a life jacket for them. This is a really nice one!
Love & Biscuits,
Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them
It is important on a boat, especially.
You really can’t underestimate the importance of a good doggy PFD, especially in moving water. Bravo!