Are Aussiedoodles Strong Swimmers? Do They Like Water?

Different dog breeds have unique tolerance levels to water and certain situations may require your dog to be a good swimmer. So are Aussiepoos strong swimmers?

Aussies can be good swimmers, especially when exposed to water early enough.  But it is important to note that they aren't naturally fond of water.  However, with proper introduction and grooming, Aussies can become more comfortable with water and develop into good swimmers. 

Aussiedoodles are unique dog breeds that aren't typically bred around water due to their traditional exposure to land area. As a result, they aren't usually born with a natural fondness or instinctive ability to swim. The good thing is that you can help your doodle master this sport.

Our experience with various dog breeds has helped us to know that Aussiepoos can be water-friendly and great swimmers with the proper development. This article will help you understand the steps needed to help your dog become more comfortable with water and possibly an excellent swimmer.  

Do Aussiedoodles Like Swimming?

Aussiedoodles are not naturally great at swimming since they spend most of their life on land and around people. Compared to many other dog breeds like hunting dogs or water dogs, Aussiepoos do not have an innate likeness to water or the ability to swim.  It's safe to say that they are on a neutral scale in this regard and depend more on your dog's genes and personality.

The Aussiedoodle combines the love for water from the Poodle side and the Australian Shepherd's inability to swim.  So your dog's genes play a role in how it responds to water.  Poodles are born water dogs, and since Aussiedoodles are mixed dog breeds, those with genes that lean more to the Poodle have a better enthusiasm for the water.  But for Aussies with Australian shepherds characteristics, this isn't usually the case. 

Unlike the Poodle, Australian Shepherds aren't water dogs and do not have the webbed paws that help the former to swim effectively.

Regardless of these slight differences in genetic makeup, Aussies are not naturally gifted swimmers. You can, however, teach them to swim— an early introduction to water helps mini Aussies acclimatize to this new life and gradually become good swimmers. 

One thing to remember is that Aussiedoodles are born differently, so unlike other water-friendly dog breeds, it may take a while for them to get used to this condition. 

Aussiedoodle Swimming Lessons

Aussiedoodles aren't born with a natural love for water but can learn to swim. You might even be lucky to have a dog that would take to swimming once introduced to water.  This makes your job much easier as you wouldn't have much convincing to do. 

You must note that teaching the Aussiepoo to swim doesn't automatically mean it develops into a water dog.  However, this process will help your dog to become comfortable with water and effectively swim out of a pool or river.  And since the Aussiepoos are quite energetic breeds, teaching them to swim can be pretty fun.

Early Exposure

Getting Aussiepoos to love water is the first step to helping them become comfortable with swimming.  Think of this process like teaching an adult to swim—you need to be patient and dedicated to helping your Aussie learn to swim. 

An effective way to begin this would be to introduce your dog to water early.  This technique will help them acclimate to the temperature and feeling of being inside water. 

Create a Proper Learning Environment

Once you get your mini Aussie, begin with the early development with shallow water- a mini play pool is a great start.  You must ensure the water is low enough for the Aussiepoo's feet to touch the pool's base. 

Fill the pool with toys that will keep your dog engaged and make the process more exciting for her.  Slowly put your dog into the pool for a few minutes, then put it on the ground.  Repeat this process a few times until your Aussiepoo becomes comfortable, hopping in and out of the water on its own. 

This early tutorial is an integral part of the learning process.  The idea is to ensure your mini Aussie feels as comfortable in the water as they are on land.  It's a lot harder to get the Aussiedoodle to love water if they aren't exposed to it early. 

Release the Puppy

After a few lessons in the pool, allow her to practice moving around the water independently.  Give room for your Aussie to familiarise herself with the water as she circles and plays with the toys.  This freedom will allow them to feel more comfortable being in the water and learn to think for themselves.  

Create Tasks

To get the Aussie active in the pool, you can throw some toys into the water to get them more interested in the activity.  Dogs typically love to play retrieval and fetch.  Aussiepoos, in particular, are such lovely creatures that enjoy this sport.  So toss some toys and treats to help improve your dog's swimming skills.  You can do this for some minutes before your dog gets tired. 

Apply Positive Reinforcement

A great way to help your dog learn faster and effectively is to create a reward system for a job well done.  So every time your dog successfully completes a move, don't hesitate to throw her a treat as a reward for her little progress.  This effective reinforcer will foster the learning process and make your puppy more receptive to the swimming lessons. 

Try some Sports

Once your doodle becomes very comfortable in the water, you can try a few sports to facilitate her swimming development.  Paddleboarding is one sport your dog can participate in.  But it is important to note that this sport can be a little extreme if your doodle isn't well trained or comfortable with swimming. 

Paddleboarding improves your dog's balance when around water.  However, before you take your doodle on this experience, you must train it to balance comfortably while on land.  Aussiepoos can become great companions for this sport when they fully perfect their balance. 

Canoeing is another sport you and your dog can do together.  Although this is relatively safer for your dog, it would help if you checked for any strong currents before stepping into the waters. 

Aussiedoodle Swimming Tips

Swimming can be a fun and relaxing activity that can foster human-canine relationships.  You should take some steps to make swimming a safe sport for your dog. 

Here are some tips to help prevent accidents to your Aussiedoodle while swimming:

• Ensure the water is safe for swimming—check for any harsh chemicals or poisonous substances in the water.
• Keep a safety kit nearby for emergencies
• Avoid swimming lessons or activities in dangerous areas such as waterfalls or high current waters.
• Clean their coats after swimming to prevent any skin reaction from the chemicals in the pool or river.

Keep in mind that while you might not be able to teach your doodle to swim ultimately, you can at least get them to be comfortable with it.