While physical exercise in the form of running or jumping can be harsh on a dog’s joints, swimming does not put any stress on joints because it does not weigh the dog down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, hydrotherapy is a popular way to help those dogs that may suffer from joint pain or inflammation, even dogs suffering from arthritis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swimming in heated up water promotes blood flow to dogs’ muscles to help warm them up quickly and it improves the circulation to the sore area. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swimming also allows dogs to loosen up and stretch out sore, stiff, or swollen joints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The resistance of the water will strengthens their limbs and works the muscles to support the surrounding joints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. It Relieves Stress And Tension<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Swimming can be relaxing for belgian malinois and can have a peaceful effect on both the body and mind.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

They can cool off and free themselves of the energy that may be pent up in them, de-stressing and calming down as a result. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some dogs may feel tensed up, and by swimming they will be able to loosen up when they get in the water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It will also provide mental stimulation for them, as swimming will allow them to have fun, exercise, and something to do to occupy their time with, lifting their mood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sessions in the water can even promote a better night’s sleep for your dog, as they will likely be tired at the end of the day after enjoying themselves and swimming in the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Teach Your Belgian Malinois To Swim?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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The best way to teach your Belgian Malinois to swim is to start as early as possible, especially when they are still a puppy.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

When your dog is very small, swimming lessons can start in the bathtub or a children’s pool, but for older dogs, a lake, river, or pool will be suitable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get Him\/Her Into Touch With Water<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At first, when a dog is learning to swim, they need to be able to touch the bottom of the lake or the river bed, or the pool floor, with their feet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will ensure that they will not sink and that they will feel safe, comfortable, and in control of their environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The water must also be calm, as waves could scare off your dog on his first time learning to swim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a dog is starting out swimming lessons, these must be shorter at first and gradually increase with time as the dog gets more comfortable with the water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will also prevent over working your dog and avoid them getting muscle cramps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When beginning to teach a dog how to swim, they need to get acquainted with the water to start off with. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can go into the water yourself and encourage them to follow along, perhaps bribing them with a treat if they are hesitant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When they are standing in the water, reward them, and allow them to explore it and get acquainted to their new environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes it may take more than just one time before your dog is used to standing in the water and even goes in by itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First Attempts At Swimming<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you feel that your dog is ready, try wading into deeper water, at all times being beside your dog and holding him up in case he begins to sink. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As he floats, move him along in the water, and likely he will begin to instinctively lift his paws to swim. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When he does this, praise him and reward him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Repeat this several times, until you feel like your dog is comfortable and happy to swim on its own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let him go in the water but make sure you are there in case the dog panics and you need to hold him up. Keep encouraging him to keep swimming but don’t over do it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swimming will come naturally and instinctively to most dogs, unless they are of a breed unfit for swimming, but remember that you need to support your dog the first few tries and be there at all times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Alternative Way<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another good way to encourage your dog to swim in water is to throw in his toy, as in a game of fetch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will propel the dog into the water, and they will get acquainted with the water in this way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They will begin swimming to get their toy and bring it back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This will help the dog associate the water and swimming with pleasure, joy, and fun, as they will be happy jumping into the water for their toy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Long Can Your Belgian Malinois Swim In Water?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Belgian Malinois like water, and as well as that, these dogs and a lot of other breeds can swim for 30 minutes or more at a time without becoming exhausted!<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Other dogs, mostly those with heavier bodies, longer coats, or stubby, shorter legs might only be able to swim for 5 to 15 minutes before tiring out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belgian Malinois are confident swimmers, and they have unbelievable stamina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These dogs will be able to swim for a long time, especially as they are used to being active and working for countless hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their light and medium-sized build will also allow them to stay afloat easily and their strong legs will give them power to move through the water with no difficulty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other dogs, like the Newfoundland for instance, may not have the light and muscular slender body of the Belgian Malinois, but they have webbed feet which helps them swim more effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7 Swimming Safety Tips For Your Belgian Malinois<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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1. Don’t Overwork Your Dog<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When teaching you dog to swim, make sure to make the swimming lessons short at first and then gradually increase them, but don’t overwork your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Use A Life Jacket<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

[amazon box=”B0081XIKYG”]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buy your dog floats or [amazon link=”B0081XIKYG” title=”a life jacket” link_icon=”amazon” \/] specially designed for canines if you worry about a possibility of them sinking or finding it hard to stay afloat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is also a good option for dogs that are little, have short muzzles, or short legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Watch Out For Waves<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ensure there are no strong waves or riptides where your dog is swimming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Be Careful In Oceans<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don’t let your dog drink salty ocean water or eat dead fish that may have been washed up on the shore, as both could make them sick.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Supervise Your Dog<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Supervise your dog at all times wherever you are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Beware Of Jellyfish<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Beware of jellyfish which could sting your dog and of toxic algae blooms which could poison your dog and even lead to death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Watch Out In Summer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Don’t let your dog swim for too long in the sun, as overexposure to sunlight can lead to stroke, even in the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How To Dry Your Belgian Malinois After Swimming<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When your dog gets out of the water, you may prefer to let him air dry if it is warm outside, or you may prefer to dry him off by means of a towel or blow dryer.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Air drying is great for dogs with shorter fur, like the Belgian Malinois, as it will remove the moisture from their fur in a little amount of time. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For dogs with thick, long double-coats, air drying may not be the best option. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because their fur will not dry off as quickly, and a coat that remains damp for a long period of time – especially in humidity – could lead to matting and knots, or even to skin infections and hot spots, which is a possibility to beware of!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To assist with your dog’s drying process, you can dry him off with a towel to remove as much moisture from the coat as possible, by pressing it down instead of rubbing the dog with it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rubbing only results in matting and tangling. Keep using the towel on your wet dog until he is sufficiently dry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your dog allows it, you can speed up their fur drying process by using a blow-dryer. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This must be done with extra care and precautions, and the heat must be at a lower setting. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should always keep the nozzle in motion while blow-drying your dog, and a few inches away from him, because keeping it too close or concentrating it in one area could lead to discomfort or even burns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In conclusion, do Belgian Malinois like water? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, most of these dogs like water and love to swim, which they are good at because of their light build, strong and powerful long paws, and their energy and stamina. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swimming will come naturally to most Belgian Malinois and many other breeds, but for those dogs that do not know how to swim, start slow when teaching them. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Encourage them to stay afloat and move their legs while you hold them up for support. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Swimming will do every dog good, as it has so many benefits for overall health, joints, and it brings pleasure and stress-relief. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, some safety precautions must be taken to avoid your dog coming to any harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if these are followed, you can be sure that your dog will get much joy from swimming and be able to stay fit, healthy, and physically active.

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