A Labrador retriever with a life vest?
More than once I heard people laugh at the idea of putting a life vest on a dog that would stay in the water until she resembled a wrinkled prune.
My thought was to let them laugh. That life vest offered peace of mind and it turned out to be a great tool. The bright yellow color made it easy to see the black dog in dark, murky water. The handle on the vest was rather helpful when it came to getting the 120-pound dog back into the boat.
And the dog came to like it. It didn’t take her long to figure out that the vest allowed her to float and take it easy. She would swim up to me and I would put my arm out so that she could rest her front paws. She learned that she could actually stop swimming and rest without frantically kicking her legs to keep her afloat.
It is important to choose a high quality vest that fits well. A vest that is too large defeats its purpose and one that is too small reduces the dog’s mobility and breathing capacity. Doggie life vests are available at most pet stores and they come in a variety of sizes, materials and styles.
When buying a life vest, the first step is to choose one that is certified for the weight of your dog. A vest made for a 15-pound dog is not going to do much good for a dog that weighs 45 pounds.
Doggie life vests are marked with the approved weight limits for that size and style.
Although your dog probably won’t care about the color of the vest or the fabric it is made of, you should. Bright colors are more easily visible and this is a good thing when boating in large bodies of water. Some come with reflective strips that increase visibility. It is easy to lose sight of a dog that is in the trough between two waves!
A good vest will be made from neoprene or sturdy nylon that is not as apt to mold and mildew. Dog owners should thoroughly check the fabric at the beginning of each boating season to insure that there are no tears or weak areas in the fabric.
The life vest should be fitted to the dog at the store. Some styles may fit better than others.
A life vest should fit the dog snuggly. However, it cannot impede movement. Your dog still has to be able to move his or her legs in order to swim.
Some vests come with straps that go under the belly. Other styles offer wider belly bands that may be more comfortable for the dog. Much depends on the type of activity the dog undertakes when in the water.
It is a good idea to choose vests that have quick-release buckles so that it easy to get on and off of the dog. If you have to struggle to put the life vest on, chances are you won’t use it as often.
A handle on the back of the vest is a must have in my opinion. It allows you to get a grip on the dog should he or she go overboard unexpectedly, but best of all, the handle is a good tool to use when helping Fido out of the water and onto the boat.
If you are apt to remove your dog’s collar when he or she goes swimming, make sure the life vest includes a pocket or other means of storing important identification information.
Once you have selected a vest, get the dog used to it before going aboard a boat or into the water. The dog needs to acclimate to the vest so that he or she learns to be comfortable when wearing it.
Once acclimated, the vest can provide hours of relaxation for your furry friend and a little peace of mind for you.
Related posts:
- Choosing a Name for Your New Puppy
- Choosing a Name for Your Puppy
- Choosing a Puppy Name
- Choosing Toys That Are Safe For Your Puppy
- Choosing a Day Care Center for Your Dog
