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Float Coats/Life jackets-opinions?

2K views 12 replies 8 participants last post by  Waggily Tail 
#1 ·
Has anyone used a float coat, or life jacket on their pet? Easy to use? Give dog more confidence in the water. Riley needs some swim therapy, and while he will be coaxed into water, not his favorite thing. He is not very buoyant.
 
#2 ·
I do not think it helps confidence with -most- dogs. But I use one! With my older dog we almost always use it, and about half the time with my younger dog. If we went boating or such it would always be on then.

A life jacket can make a dog move differently. At one point I was told that if a dog swims with his back end lower than the front, a life jacket will keep him level and help him to work more evenly (rather than mostly with the front).

Talk to those who recommended the water therapy, ask what they recommend and how he should be moving, etc.

Now is the time of year to find these on sale!
 
#3 ·
I've used this one from West Marine for both my goldens and they didn't seem to have any problems with it.

Pete
 
#6 ·
i had a golden/lab that HAD to wear one. he wouldnt get out of the water. he would swim, bite at the splashes, andfetch everything i could throw. one day he was swimming in circles crying like he couldnt swim any more and didnt know how to get out. i jumped in to save him, and when we made it to shore, the little **** jumped back in and kept swimming. he wasnt swimming as fast so he kept getting lower and lower in the water. i finaly went in with a leash and towed him out. i bought him a PFD and he would swim for a long time and then just relax in the water, catch his breath, and continue swimming.
long story short, yea they are helpful.
 
#7 ·
Cooper does that in the pool when I let him swim. When we're done, I put away all the toys. Every time I go near the steps he swims to the middle. He hasn't done it long enough to become that exhausted. I walk away and start toweling my others off....so far it has worked..but your right..he can be a little sh*t about it! Do you remember what brand you had?
 
#9 ·
Cooper does that in the pool when I let him swim. When we're done, I put away all the toys. Every time I go near the steps he swims to the middle. He hasn't done it long enough to become that exhausted. I walk away and start toweling my others off....so far it has worked..but your right..he can be a little sh*t about it! Do you remember what brand you had?
i do not. that was 15 years ago. if i had to buy another i would get one of these two.

Cabela's -- Paws Aboard Doggy Life Vests

Ruff Wear Portage Float Coat Life Jacket for Dogs
 
#8 ·
I wish i had one on my old Meg i nearly lost her she fell of the boat and went right underneath it i still have nightmares about it my Ray had to jump in the river 10pm and we were right by a weir as well to help her i know all dogs are meant to be able to swim but Meg couldn't she keep going under the water but please to say happying ending we got her out she shook all over us and trotted off i was in tears but she was ok.
 
#10 ·
I have one from REI...it's a Ruff Wear Portage Float Coat. I read a few reviews online and on Dogster before I settled on that one. The handle is supposedly very strong on it.

We had a strange "episode" at the dog park lake that made me get one. Baxter did what pwrstrk02's dog did...started going in circles and looking worried. He dunked his head a few times and then disappeared under water. We hauled him out and he looked a little confused (and, of course, was ready to jump back in). Perhaps he was feeling rocks with his feet and went down to get them or maybe he was stuck on something, but either way, it was pretty scary. I decided that if I was at the lake alone with him, he'd wear the coat. :)http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/members/pwrstrk02.html
 
#11 ·
My Lacey does water swim therapy. After going through chemo last year, she does not have the stamina she use to have and tires a bit easy. I bought her a pfd and now she can enjoy herself more and not have to work so hard. It was funny the first time she wore it and realized she could just float there and not have to work at it. Both the instructor and I got a good laugh. Our Corgi also wears one because of the short legs and he wants to keep up with the Goldens. This way I don't have to worry about him getting too far out in the lake and getting tired.
 
#13 ·
Maggie has a Ruff Wear too. She's a trim 60# but on the slender size in stature. Medium fits her well. You want it to be snug without constricting, and not so loose that it rides up over the shoulders.

Good luck with Riley's water therapy. Are you doing this with an instructor? Maggie and I did a water sports class last summer. She's like a fish, but many of the dogs wanted nothing to do with the water. Our instructor did a great job and by the end of the session, all were tolerating getting wet or really enjoying themselves.

Keep us posted, Jill
 
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