According to research published in the ‘American Journal of Public Health’, people who have dogs have as much as 77% higher odds of getting enough physical activity as compared with those who don’t have dogs. Swimming is an excellent, low-impact way to exercise your dog. Most dogs instinctively know how to swim. Some dogs instantly love water and jump right in; others need a bit of encouragement. Get a life vest for your dog for extra protection. Never just toss your dog into the pool. That’ll terrify the animal and create a negative association with the pool. It is also dangerous. Get into the pool yourself and let your pet run around it. Entice them to enter the pool by offering toys. Remember that small breeds can swim but they’ll tire quickly. Certain breeds don’t swim. If you have a pug, bulldog or a Boston terriers, know that they usually have trouble swimming.