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  Why Swim your dog indoor in a heated pool??

There are many reasons why massage and hydrotherapy are beneficial, literally too numerous to list here, however some are included below.

 
Massage and Hydrotherapy
  Resets proprioception and encourages neuromuscular reeducation
  Keeps elderly dogs active and prevents weight bearing injuries
  Is great for conditioning overall and Cardiovascular fitness.
  Encourages physical activities and use of the whole body
  Helps control weight
Increases range of motion
Eases stiff achey joints
Develops and maintains muscle tone
Develops strength and flexability

With the dog relaxed, muscles become soft and less tense. Range of motion and stretching exercises can be done with less guarding (hold immobile or tight , to protect itself from the pain or discomfort associated with using the limb) of a sensitive area or limb. The hydrostatic pressure of the water on dogs' joints while stretching a limb is safer than on land as the pressure of the water stabilizes the joint.  
 
The dog is weightless (70% of the body weight is removed in water) which allows for a gentler workout on bones, joints and soft tissues. Weight bearing forces are therefore decreased and the dog can move itself in the water without the pounding or jarring of joints, bones and soft tissues which happens on land.  Sometimes if a limb has been painful to move for the dog.  It will guard the limb, causing further atrophy, surrounding muscle hypertension and sometimes severe contracture.
 

Most times when a dog has not used muscles for some time due to past trauma or surgery, it remembers how painful it was when it tried to first use it.  Moving and using the affected muscles in the warm water without the pain gives them the confidence to use it on land too.
The buoyancy of the water also provides proprioceptive feedback.

Swimming in warm water is great for active and aging dogs.  Pain from activity is decreased allowing for exercise and overall physical strengthening and a cardiovascular workout. With such pain it is difficult, if not impossible to obtain a heart rate high or long enough on land to qualify as aerobic exercise. The heart being a muscle needs to “workout” too to stay healthy. Swimming is low impact and the pool is equipped with four jets for light to extreme heart rate workouts.
If you have a dog that is overweight, swimming is a great safe aerobic exercise that  burns calories. This with proper diet is a winner. The excess weight is hard on joints and ligaments and injuries may occur with exercising on land.
 

Quinn (Show Champion)

Bronson (Lure Coursing)

Maggie (Agility)

For your performance, show, or search & rescue dog, swimming keeps your dog in top condition. The aerobic exercise strengthens, tones and keeps that rock hard “Buff” body that will make the judges jaw drop. By swimming your dog, he/she can have that extra competitive edge above all the other dogs. Your competitive athlete needs to workout and stay in shape to win.

Younger dogs headed for a future in performance can start workouts in the pool with no risk to still-developing joints.

To exercise your athlete even in bad weather, bring your dog in for a safe workout against our jets.

You’ll be amazed at the results you can achieve. I’ll give you lots of tips too.


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Revised: 15 Apr 2006 14:00
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