If you have ever wondered if a Maltipoo can swim well or even at all, then you’ve come to the perfect place. Allow me to give a complete answer to this question.
Maltipoos can swim if they are taught well, as they might not instinctively know when they first enter the water, so if you have a swimming pool or any water near your home, then it’s very important that you teach your Maltipoo to swim.
This article focuses on answering all of your questions around Maltipoo swimming and the pros and cons of teaching a Maltipoo to swim.
Maltipoo and Swimming
A Maltipoo is a mix of a Maltese and a Poodle, and these two breeds of dogs are quite different when it comes to swimming and being in water in general.
Where Poodles were originally bred to be water retrievers. “Poodle” comes from the German word, Pudeln, which means to splash.
Maltese were originally used mostly as companion dogs or to hunt smaller rodents on board ships and in burrows.
So while Poodles are natural-born swimmers, the Maltese part of a Maltipoo isn’t equally as strong in that regard.
This is also why you could have a Maltipoo that is the greatest swimmer in the world, or you could end up with one that’s the exact opposite.
Any animal trying to live in or be in the water with any resembling a foot requires those feet to be webbed. All dogs have some degree of webbing, but the Maltipoo has a bit more than the average dog thanks to its’ Poodle genes.
Having webbed paws makes them act like small paddles when in the water.
Another physical trait Maltipoos has inherited from poodles is their fur coat. This is one of the most noticeable traits of both a Maltipoo and Poodles.
Unlike a lot of other dogs, a Maltipoo has a single layer of fur coat, where many other dogs have double layers. And the Maltipoos’ coat is quite thick and it is, therefore, easier to swim with.
So while most Maltipoos will do quite well when placed in water, but that isn’t the case for every Maltipoo.
How Does This Apply to Your Maltipoo?
Because Maltipoos have inherited some of these amazing features that make them naturally good swimmers, there’s a chance they’ll fall in love with swimming.
Although a Maltipoo isn’t the usual dog that we associate with jumping into rivers or ponds, that is typically dogs’ such as a Golden or Labrador Retriever, due to their Poodle origins, a Maltipoo will most likely love the water just as much.
- RELATED ARTICLE: ARE MALTIPOOS EASY TO TRAIN?
But as I mentioned earlier, the same thing which is true for humans, also applies to dogs in the regard that, every dog will be different. So just because a dog has it in the genes when it comes to swimming, it doesn’t mean they will want to jump headfirst into the water as soon as they spot it.
When placed in water most dogs’ will naturally start moving their legs to keep themselves from sinking. But, not every dog will know what to do from that point, and a lot of dogs won’t even start moving move forward, but just barely tread the water.
If you have any concerns about your dog being able to swim, the best solution to that issue is to simply expose your dog to the water.
Why Should I Teach My Maltipoo to Swim?
Every year there are sadly numerous incidents where people have found their dog drowned in the family pool or pond in the backyard. While your Maltipoo might not be all that keen on the water, there is always the risk of a tragic accident happening where they and end up in the water.
So, just as it’s a good idea to teach your children to swim, it’s exactly the same when it comes to your Maltipoo. Teaching your Maltipoo how to swim could save its’ life someday.
How to Train your Maltipoo to Swim
If you want to make sure that your Maltipoo is able to swim as well as possible, there are some steps you should take to get your dog looking like a professional.
1. Expose your Dog to the Water
To get your dog swimming, the first step is also the most simple.
Go for a walk on the beach or near a river or pond with your dog. Allow your dog to sink their paw in the water. Do this to make sure that your dog gets familiar with the sound and sight of water.
You don’t have to immediately plop your dog in the water. Just make sure they know it’s there. This way, they will be more familiar and less scared of water.
2. Begin in Shallow Water
The deeper water can be quite intimidating for a small dog which is why you should stay in the shallow water in the beginning. This will let your dog stay in contact with the ground at the same time as being in the water.
You should also avoid any currents, as that will only make it a lot more difficult for your dog to swim.
This step will allow your dog to be comfortable with the feeling of being in the water, while safely standing on solid ground.
3. Help Your Dog into the Water
For this step, you will have to get into the water yourself. If you’re in the water together with your dog, it will help him/her feel a lot more comfortable and confident.
The way you should do this is that you should go out in the deeper section of the water and then call out for your dog.
With your around it, your dog will become a lot more comfortable with getting into the water.
4. Train as You Would on Dry Land
When you are training your dog on how to swim the same rules apply as they do when teaching your dog any trick while on solid ground. You need to have a lot of patience and love ready.
When your dog is swimming, be sure to give your dog lots of love and praise through every step.
If your dog is very frightened with the water, a good idea to help them is by having them around other dogs who love swimming in the water.
And in time, your dog will discover that water isn’t as scary as it seems at first glimpse.
Each of these steps will take different amounts of time depending on the dog. For some dogs, they will jump head-on into the water as soon as they see it.
For other dogs, it will take a lot of time and support to get your dog swimming confidently. Don’t push your dogs’ boundaries to the point of it becoming unsafe.
Just as with humans, there are multiple dog drowning incidents every single year. If your dog suddenly panics while in the water, you will have to take things very slow.
No matter what happens during the swimming training, just remember to always love your Maltipoo. They will stick by your side no matter what, so the least you could do is to give them that same courtesy.
Best Products for Swimming Training
Swimming training can be quite daunting if you have a dog that isn’t exactly stoked on going into the water, but there are some products that will make it a lot safer and funnier for both you and the dog.
ChuckIt! Amphibious Bumper Floating Fetch Toy
- Water Fetch Dog Toy: This colorful bumper chew toy is designed with lightweight memory foam for fetching fun at the pool, beach or lake. The bumper rope toy is knotted for a secure grip
- Durable Design: The Chuckit water dog toy is made of nylon, rubber, and EVA foam that's soft on dog's gums and teeth. The fetch toy also withstands aggressive chewing. Easy to clean, just rinse off
- Pet Toys: Get ready for bonding & fun with your dogs & cats! Check out a variety of our pet toy products such as flyers, perches & mirrors for birds, prey wand toys for cats, plush toys, light-up interactive toys & more.
- Make Fetch Happen: Chuckit Performance Toys Are Designed With You And Your Dog In Mind; Try Our Full Range Of Interactive Indoor And Outdoor Dog Toys Including Tumblers, Flyers, Fetch Toys, Chew Toys Other Balls For Dogs And More
- Chuckit Fetch Pet Toys: Chuckit makes indoor and outdoor dog toys that enrich the human-animal bond and helps dogs and puppies stay engaged. Try our full line of ball launchers, puppy toys, flying discs, tennis balls for dogs, dog chew toys, and more
This toy is perfect for letting your dog forget that he’s actually in the water as he shoots around your pool trying to fetch this.
Allowing your dog to play or giving him/her a task to perform while in the water will quickly make him/her a lot more comfortable while swimming, so getting a great floating toy is basically a must.
As your dog improves, you should ditch the vest and your dog will quickly become a great swimmer as his/her confidence improves.
Outward Hound Dog Life Jacket
- SIZING BASED ON GIRTH: Dogs come in all shapes and sizes. Whether your dog is short and stout or long and lanky, there's a dog life jacket fit for them. Available in sizes XS-XL and featuring adjustable straps, we've made it easy for you to choose a size that supports them based on their girth measurement. We recommend sizing up if the dog's girth size is on the higher end of this size.
- SPLASH WITH SAFETY: The Outward Hound Granby Splash life jacket for dogs is designed with bright colors and reflective accents to provide better visibility while swimming. A front neck float helps keep your dog's head above water whether they are a novice or experienced swimmer.
- NOVICE & EXPERIENCED SWIMMER-FRIENDLY: The Granby Splash dog life jacket is constructed with ripstop material that provides maximum buoyancy in the water without restricting movement on land. Adjustable straps and side release buckles provide a secure fit and neoprene belly band supports their chest and belly while getting their float on!
- MULTI-HANDLE DESIGN: Dual grab handles make it easy to restrain and lift your dog out of the water and provide easy access.
- PLAY IT SAFE: No pet accessory is indestructible. Do not leave with unsupervised pets. Remove and replace if damaged.
The Outward Hound Life Jacket will allow your dog to be perfectly safe while in the water when you are first starting out.
Some of My Favorite Products For Dog Owners
I hope this article has helped you just a bit in everyday life as a dog owner. Being a dog owner for more than 25 years, I’ve tried many different products with varying success, but these products below are some that I can highly recommend to every dog and their owner without hesitation!
These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. But it’s products that I use daily myself, and I have the utmost praise for.
Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be challenging, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. But since 2015 when the company was founded, I’ve been using Ollie Petfood. With their product being tailor-made to suit every dog’s specific needs, and as my dogs love the product, I’m pretty sure I’ve found a product I will continue to use for many years more. If you use my link you can get 50% off your first order.
Dog Training: If you’ve ever owned a puppy, you know that it requires a lot of training to grow into a well-behaved adult. Brain Training for Dogs has helped me immensely with the mental training part of raising a dog, and it’s something I strongly recommend you consider.
Grooming: If you have a dog in your home, you’re going to need a brush, and for this, I recommend a Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush. For that price, you simply can’t beat this brush for everyday grooming.
If you’re looking for the most up-to-date recommendations, check out my recommended products section that I’ve created to help every dog owner!
