Do Bichons Like Water? Tips for Helping Your Pup Enjoy Swimming & Water Play (2024)

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Have you ever watched a Bichon Frise near a body of water, whether on a dock, near a pool, or at the beach, and wondered if they like water?

While every dog is different, most Bichons love water!

In this article, we’ll explore:

• Why your Bichon might enjoy swimming and water play
• How you can help them overcome any fears they may have
• Essential safety tips to keep in mind when your Bichon is near water

We’ll also provide tips for turning your Bichon into a water lover and fun water activities you can enjoy together.

Can Bichons Swim?

Your Bichon can swim, thanks to its ancestral background as a water dog.

Though they may need some help staying confident in the water, as descendants of the Barbichon, a breed that worked aboard ships, Bichons are natural swimmers.

However, their small size means they tire easily and may panic if left unattended.

With proper precautions, swimming provides excellent exercise for Bichons of all ages.

The buoyancy of water supports their joints while the resistance builds muscle and cardiovascular health.

Swimming is also a great way to burn pent-up energy in high-strung Bichons.

Start by getting your pup comfortable around water using treats and toys.

Always supervise swimming closely and use a doggy life jacket for safety.

With patience, you can turn your Bichon into an enthusiastic swimmer.

Why Teach Your Bichon to Swim

Swimming provides numerous health and behavior benefits for your Bichon.

Health Benefits

One can teach their Bichon to swim to improve its health by:

Strengthening joints and bones to prevent injuries.

Boosting circulation, heart, and lung function.

Speeding up metabolism to aid healthy weight.

Swimming provides great exercise with multiple health benefits for Bichons.

With proper precautions, it can be a fun, rewarding activity.

Behavior Benefits

Now let’s explore the behavior benefits of teaching your Bichon to swim and how it can positively impact their overall well-being.

Swimming provides mental stimulation and an outlet for pent-up energy, which can reduce anxiety and behavior problems.

The training process strengthens your bond through positive reinforcement.

Ensure proper precautions to prevent overexertion or fear.

With patience, even initially hesitant Bichons can become enthusiastic about water play.

How to Get Your Bichon Comfortable With Water

When first introducing your Bichon to water, it helps to use treats and toys as motivators.

Go slowly, keeping sessions positive and rewarding small steps forward until your pup feels comfortable.

Be patient and allow your Bichon to enter the water at their own pace for the best results.

Use Treats and Toys as Motivators

You can use treats and toys as motivators to get your Bichon comfortable with water.

• Use high value treats like small pieces of chicken or cheese to motivate your Bichon.
• Identify favorite toys that your Bichon gets excited about playing with.
• Time giving treats or tossing toys as soon as your Bichon interacts positively with water.
• Continue using motivational rewards each time your Bichon engages with water to build comfort.

Take It Slow and Be Positive

A critical step in getting your Bichon comfortable with water is to gradually expose them in a calm, supportive way while using ample encouragement and rewards.

Patience is key as more time is required for praise and treats, which are vital for positive associations.

Avoid rushing or forcing your Bichon into water situations to ensure their comfort and enjoyment of water activities over time.

Essential Safety Tips for Bichon Swimming

When allowing your bichon frise to swim:

• Always have them wear a doggy life vest for safety.
• Monitor them closely for signs of fatigue like lagging or irregular paddling.
• Take frequent breaks.

Water play can be fun for bichons, but supervision and precaution are essential.

Use a Doggy Life Vest

Put your bichon in a well-fitted doggy life vest during any water activity to promote their safety and give you peace of mind.

The buoyancy of a vest prevents exhaustion and panic, enabling even non-swimmers to enjoy paddling around.

Choose a style with sturdy handles to easily lift them out when finished.

Life jackets properly sized for your bichon’s weight and girth are essential precautions for water fun.

Watch for Signs of Fatigue

Although Bichons can become good swimmers, you should watch for signs of fatigue like heavy panting or struggling to keep their head above water.

Monitor for lethargy, shivering, weakness, or loss of coordination.

Adjust activity times for their age, health issues like arthritis, and smaller toy group size versus other dogs.

Ideal Swimming Frequency and Duration

One should take frequent breaks during swimming sessions to prevent over-exertion, heat exhaustion, or other issues in your pup.

Swimming should be limited to just a few laps at a time, with the exact number dependent on factors like the Bichon’s age and health status.

While swimming provides great exercise benefits and behavioral improvements, it’s more physically taxing than it appears.

Moderation is key – take breaks every couple of minutes initially.

Provide ample fresh water and shady spots for resting between laps.

Some pups may only manage a lap or two before tiring.

Pay close attention for signs of fatigue like lagging behind or panicked paddling.

Increase duration gradually as conditioning improves.

With patience and proper precautions, swimming can be an enjoyable activity that improves your Bichon’s health.

Do Bichons Like Water Naturally?

When it comes to water, bichons have mixed reactions.

Some enjoy swimming and playing in water, while others are more reluctant.

Reasons They May Enjoy Water

While bichons may not be bred specifically for water activities, you’d be surprised at how much they can enjoy water.

Their warm, weather-resistant coat keeps them comfortable even when wet, and their outgoing, people-pleasing personality makes them game to try new things with their favorite humans.

Their sturdy build also makes bichons well-suited for aquatic adventures, sports, and splashy pup play.

Their affectionate nature means they delight in hydrotherapy happiness and getting wet and wagging along with their beloved owners.

Reasons They May Dislike Water

You’ll find some bichons aren’t natural water lovers despite their sailor history.

Their small size deters them from entering rough conditions.

Their physical traits aren’t designed for excelling at water activities.

Their small stature makes them prone to fear of drowning in deep water or facing challenging conditions.

Additionally, their fur can become matted and heavy when wet, causing discomfort.

Bichons may also be susceptible to ear infections, allergies, or other medical reactions from prolonged water exposure.

Turn Your Bichon Into a Water Lover

After exploring their natural affinity for water, you can take steps to turn your Bichon into more of a water lover.

• Start water training early with treats and toys as positive reinforcement. Make it a fun, rewarding experience.
• Introduce water slowly, allowing your pup to become comfortable at their own pace.
• Implement safety measures like a doggy life vest and never leaving them unattended near water.
• Swimming provides excellent exercise to improve joint health, metabolism, and weight control.

With time, patience, and making water play positive, you’ll have a happy water dog splashing right beside you.

Are Bichons Good Boat Dogs?

Your Bichon’s adaptable and robust nature makes them well-suited to being boat dogs after turning them into water lovers.

While Bichons may not be natural seafarers like some other breeds, their love for water playfulness and aquatic companionship can make them wonderful nautical companions.

Their small size allows for easy lifting on and off boats, making them convenient boat buddies.

Additionally, their sturdy build enables them to keep up with adventures at various destinations.

A key advantage of having a Bichon as a boat dog is their white hypoallergenic coat that makes it easy to spot if they’ve gotten into something on shore before returning to the vessel.

Overall, with proper training in swimming skills and ensuring safety precautions are taken while boating, your Bichon Frise can become an excellent companion for your maritime escapades.

Fun Water Activities for Bichons

Besides boating, you can take your Bichon for paddle boarding trips to explore coves and islands while getting some additional water fun.

Engaging your Bichon in water fetch builds their confidence swimming while allowing them to indulge their natural retrieve drive. Try tossing a sinking toy short distances into the water for them to happily chase after.

Splash training is another way to make water play positive by rewarding your Bichon for engaging with sprinklers, hoses, or gentle splashes.

Setting up pool playdates with other friendly pups acquaints your dog with swimming buddies.

When recovering from surgery or injury, canine hydrotherapy allows for beneficial, low-impact water exercise.

Simply spending quiet time together while your Bichon paddles around deepens your aquatic bond.

Other Small Dog Breeds and Swimming

Like bichons, other small breeds have varying affinities for water.

The tiny Chihuahua, while trembling even when dry, can potentially learn to swim with patience and treats from their beloved person.

Yorkies, preferring pampering to puddles, show great reluctance around water out of concern for their high-maintenance coat and dignity.

Similarly aloof, pugs steer clear of beach days, prone as they’re to overheating.

Resembling seals despite their distaste for swimming, Shih Tzus restrict water activities to the occasional bath.

Finally, the darling Pekingese, built for charm not endurance, might swim if enticed by their adoring audience but generally prefer admiration to aquatic adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)