Services
Warm Water Dog Swimming
Is your dog training for a competition in dock jumping, dock dogs, dock diving, agility, luring, conformation, flyball or other dog sport? Has your dog just completed rehab at your vet’s office and need to increase muscular strength? Swimming is the cleanest, safest and most efficient way to accelerate muscular strength training and endurance. Treading water for 5 minutes is equivalent to running 5 miles.
How do you feel when you sit in a hot tub. The natural healing powers of warm water are profound! Warm water decreases pain & inflammation and increases circulation & flexibility of muscles – naturally. When warm water dilates blood vessels, it creates a calm ‘sedative’ effect on muscles & mentality. Come, swim with your dog and experience the natural healing powers of warm water that have helped heal people, race horses and race dogs for years.
Natural healing properties of water:
Hydrostatic pressure - allows healing to occur faster because water is a NATURAL:
Diuretic - Eliminates fluid, slows the heart and calms, ‘sedates’ our mind and mentality.
Anti-Inflammatory - Decreases inflammation and improves the immune system.
Oxygenator - Water exercise requires 30% more oxygen due to pressure of water on the chest.
Resistance of water is 20x that of air. This gives you a more powerful work out in less time. Some say a 5 minute swim is equivalent to a 5 mile run.
Warm water dilates blood vessels, increases circulation and gives muscles elasticity. This makes stretching easier and improves range of motion. Increased circulation detoxes the body by increasing the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the body and elimination toxins and wastes. The water is kept between 85 – 95 degrees.
Buoyancy allows you to reduce the strain & pain in an injured or diseased part of your body. When exercising in water up to your hips, 60% of your body weight is removed; up to your neck, 90% of your body weight is removed. The buoyancy of the water makes us feel as though we are floating.
Reasons For Warm Water Canine Exercise
Weight Loss Safe & Clean Way to Exercise, Improves Self-Esteem Get in Shape Strengthens Muscles, Increases Endurance Muscle Injuries Decreases Inflammation, Reduces Muscle Spasm Pain / Dysplasia / Arthritis Decreases Inflammation, Swelling & Stiffness Depression / Anxiety Relaxes The Mind & Body, Improves Self-Esteem Neuropathy Improves Balance & Coordination Pre / Post Surgery Strengthens Muscles, Improves Flexibility Walking Difficulties Improves Balance & Coordination, Strengthens Muscles
Senior Dogs
Just like you, as your dog ages he gets stiff joints, an increase in weight and a loss of muscle mass. Ask yourself….and be honest….
• Can your dog get off and on the bed easily?
• Does he run as fast as he used to?
• Is he slow to get up in the morning?
• Is there a limp in your dog’s walk?
• Has your dog ever had surgery on one of his limbs?
• Is your dog overweight?
Help improve your dog’s quality of life with warm water swimming. Enjoy every moment with your aging dog, knowing you are doing everything you can to make his senior years as comfortable as possible. Get a warm water dog swimming season pass today!
Obesity Limits Life!
Dogs love to eat. And their owners love to feed them. “It's fun!”
Obesity limits life.
A study in Labrador Retrievers found thin dogs live about 2 years longer than obese dogs. When your average life span is 12.8 years, 2 years is lot to take off a dog’s life! A safe weight loss rate for dogs is 1 to 2% of body weight a week. Their metabolism needs about 3-6 months to reset. Weight gain usually happens slowly, so expect the same when trying to reduce weight.
Unfortunately, many vets don’t tell owners when their dogs are fat because it is a sensitive subject for many people. Ask your vet – is my dog fat? Ask your family and friends. But only ask if you are willing to listen and change YOUR habits. YOU are the only reason your dog is fat. Too many people are loving their dogs to death because they think food represents love. When you are ready to be honest with yourself, seek advice.
Questions???
Is this the same kind of rehabilitation my veterinarian offers?
NO. Rummy’s services are not medical procedures.
Can I get in the pool with my dog during warm water canine exercise?
Absolutely! Your dog will be more secure with you in the water with him. You will benefit from warm water exercise just as he will.
What happens in each session?
Each session is one hour. Some dogs jump right in and other dogs take a while to get in the water. They may be scared and want to leave right away. Please be patient. Your dog is in a new place, with new people, new smells…everything is new and he is not sure what is expected of him. As your dog becomes more familiar with the pool, me, the surroundings and understands the focus is on him with each warm water swim session, he will relax and swim longer.
My Dog is blind / handicapped / geriatric. Won’t he be scared?
Yes, your dog may be scared at first. Your dog is in a new place, with new people, new smells, etc. As your dog gains trust and understands the focus is on him, he will relax. Patience and persistence are important with dogs. The pool has easy access and is literally inches from the driveway. You can park right next to the beach entry!
How many sessions are needed?
It depends on the dog, medical history and the reason for swimming as well as on your schedule. If for exercise, just like with people, it is best if done a minimum of 3 times a week. Dogs enjoy the feeling of the warm water on their muscles and joints and get frisky after each session. You may find you need to give less arthritis medication the more you swim your dog. After a few weeks, you will see improved mobility, increased muscle mass, better endurance and a more confident dog.
Does my vet have to refer me?
It is not mandatory, but we prefer it.
Will chlorine hurt my dog?
Warm water canine exercise pools have used chlorine safely for many years. Chlorine is the most effective method for removing bacteria from water.
Do you use Life Jackets?
Yes, sometimes. Dogs can be insecure in a new body of water and panic, splashing with their front paws, causing their back legs and hips to drop down in the water. Life jackets help keep your dog’s back and hips in good alignment and can teach them how to swim correctly. If your dog has had surgery or an injury, the life jacket will give them more confidence in the water.
My dog doesn’t like the water. He does not know HOW to swim.
Many dogs don’t. This environment is different - the water is warmer, there is a beach entry and no stairs, there are no other people or dogs around except you and me and the focus is on the dog. Your dog will learn how to swim. Your dog will also experience the natural effects of warm water has on his body, the trust and bond you have and hopefully release some of his stress from his injury, handicap, anxietyetc.. How do you feel after getting out of a hot tub? Remember, the natural healing powers of water are profound.
My dog’s back legs don’t move when swimming.
50% of dogs don’t move their back legs initially. They ‘dog paddle’ splashing with their front legs, while their back and hips sink into the water and the dog goes around and around and gets more and more anxious. We use life jackets to help teach dogs how to swim, to use their front legs for direction and back legs for power.
Why can’t I just take my dog to the lake to swim?
You can. Just remember there are fleas, ticks, snakes, spiders, coyotes, poison ivy, poison oak, poisonous algae and other harmful plants and animals. Swimming in cold water reduces circulation, which decreases the elasticity of muscles, increasing the chance of injuries.
What are the benefits of touch & massage?
Human babies and animal babies need touch not only to survive, but to thrive. The magic of touch can have positive psychological effects on people and animals and help them feel different emotions - love, happiness, acceptance, calmness, security or reassurance. Touch promotes the release of oxytocin, the bonding or cuddle hormone. Try it yourself with your dog. Experience touch with your mind; close your eyes and feel you dog using light touch over the face, ears, neck, back, legs, etc. Move slowly and feel the contour of the different body parts. Your dog will probably love it. Touch and massage relaxes tense muscles, reduces muscle pain, and helps improve circulation which helps healing, inflammation, and edema. Touch can be magical.
Click Here To See Pictures of Dogs Swimming at Rummy’s!
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