Services
Warm Water Dog Swimming
How do you feel when you sit in a hot tub…..as the warm water covers your shoulders and pain disappears? Ahhh…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 Reduces Weight, Safe & Clean Way to Exercise, Improves Self-Esteem Get in Shape Reduces Weight, Strengthens Muscles, Increases Endurance Muscle Injuries Decreases Inflammation, Swelling & Stiffness, Reduces Muscle Spasm Joint / Hip Dysplasia Decreases Inflammation, Swelling & Stiffness, Strengthens Muscles Arthritis Decreases Inflammation, Swelling & Stiffness, Strengthens Muscles Chronic Pain Decreases Inflammation, Swelling & Stiffness, Builds Confidence Depression / Anxiety Relaxes The Mind & Body, Builds Confidence, Improves Self-Esteem Neuropathy Improves Balance & Coordination, Strengthens Muscles Pre / Post Surgery Strengthens Muscles, Reduces Weight, Relaxes The Mind & Body Spine Abnormalities Improves Balance & Coordination, Strengthens Muscles 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?
• Does your dog have arthritis?
• Is there a limp in your dog’s walk?
• Has your dog ever had surgery on one of his limbs?
• Is your dog a little chunky?
Help improve your dog’s quality of life with warm water canine exercise. Your dog will get that spark and spunk back in a few weeks. 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.
When dogs gain weight they are less active, muscles disappear and diseases appear. Exercise improves quality and quantity of 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.
Veterinarians evaluate specific body areas for obesity, yet, some breeds look thin or fat even when they are just right, like a Greyhound or a Bulldog.
Ribs - You should be able to feel each rib easily, with a slight layer of fat over them. If you can see the ribs - too thin. If you can’t feel them - very overweight.
Area Near The Base Of The Tail - There should be a slight layer of fat over the tail that feels smooth. If the bones protrude - too thin; if you can’t feel bones - very overweight.
Bony Prominences On Spine, Shoulders, Hips - You should feel a small layer of fat over these areas. If the bones are visible - too thin. If you can’t feel bones - overweight.
Look At Your Pet From Above - There should be a definite waist behind the ribs. If the waist is extreme with bony prominences -too thin. If there is no waist, or the waist is wider than the hips or ribs - grossly overweight.
Look At Your Pet From The Side - They should have an abdominal tuck - the area behind the ribs should be smaller than the chest, though this will vary between breeds. Boxers and Greyhounds have a distinct abdominal tuck. They are too thin if they have a severe abdominal tuck and overweight if no abdominal tuck.
If you your dog is overweight, consult your veterinarian to determine if warm water canine exercise is right for your dog.
Warm Water Dog Swimming Rates
Each private one hour warm water dog swimming session is $50. If you buy a season pass, you save money, as the chart below shows. Season Passes are good for all dogs in your family that live with you - even your foster dogs! There are no refunds on season passes.
A Season Pass is the Perfect Gift for the
EXTREME DOG LOVER!
| 2010 Season Pass Buy 5, Get 6! 1 FREE! $300 → $250 |
2010 Season Pass Buy 20, Get 25! 5 FREE! $1200 → $1000 |
2010 Season Pass Buy 30, Get 40! 10 FREE! $2000 → $1500 |
Click Here To See Pictures of Dogs Swimming at Rummy’s!
Questions???
Is this the same kind of rehabilitation my veterinarian offers?
NO. Rummy’s services are not medical procedures. If your dog need intense rehab, please contact your vet or vet orthopedic surgeon.
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 begin to relax and swim longer. Then the problem will be keeping him out of the water!
My Dog is blind / handicapped / geriatric. Won’t he be scared?
Ah, you have gifted dogs? So do I. Yes, your dog may be scared the first time or two. 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, persistence and time are important with gifted dogs. If you own one, you know that. 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 warm water swimming. Just like you, exercising 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 even find you need to give less arthritis medication the more you swim your dog. After just a few sessions, you will see improved mobility, increased muscle mass, better endurance, improved fitness level and a more confident dog.
If my dog stays in good condition with warm water canine exercise, will he live longer?
A dog that stays in good condition with exercise has a better chance of a longer, healthier life, just like a person.
Does my vet have to refer me?
Rummy’s Beach Club, LLC will contact your vet before the first warm water canine exercise session to see if there are any health issues that would prevent your dog from participating in warm water canine exercise. If there are no health issues that will prevent warm water canine exercise, once we get a signed referral form from your vet, we can get started. We monitor and documents your dog's progress, condition, new problems or complaints and the treatment given at each session.
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, initially on all dogs. 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.
Is my dog too big or too small for your pool?
Rummy’s pool is 50’ x 15’ with a 25’ beach entry that gradually slopes into a 4’ deep end. There are no steps in or around the pool area. No matter what size dog enters the pool, as they go down the beach entry, they gradually begin to float and then swim. Even if your dog weighs over 200 pounds, when he is in water up to his neck, he is only 10% of his weight, so he can move and be moved easier than when on land.
My dog doesn’t like the water. He does not know HOW to swim.
That’s okay. Many dogs don’t. This environment is completely different. The water is warmer than a regular pool. The entry is different, the design of the pool is custom built for the comfort of your dog. We go slow in the introduction of the pool, but usually dogs jump right in to the beach entry. Gradually your dog will learn how to swim, but swimming is only a small part of warm water canine exercise. The natural effect the warm water has on your dog’s body, the warm water touch and massage, the trust and bond between the dog, the person swimming your dog and the owner, the intangible release of stress and emotions from your dog’s injury or handicap, the improvement in your dog’s self-esteem and confidence, etc. 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.
This is not uncommon. When learning to swim in a controlled environment such as warm water canine exercise, about 50% of dogs don’t move their back legs initially. They ‘dog paddle’ using their front legs, not their back legs. Their back and hips sink into the water and the dog goes around and around and gets more and more anxious. When a dog knows how to swim, he uses his front legs for direction and his back legs for power. Watch your dog swim to get toys in the water and you will see this.
Why can’t I just take my dog to the lake to swim?
You can. It can be a lot of fun for you and your dog. Just remember there are fleas, ticks, snakes, spiders, coyotes, poison ivy, poison oak, poisonous algae and other harmful plants and animals. Dogs can slip down muddy banks, swim out of their depth or into waters out of your sight. Swimming in cold water reduces circulation, which decreases the elasticity of muscles, increasing the chance of muscle and soft tissue injuries.
Can I get in the pool with my dog during warm water canine exercise?
Absolutely! We encourage it. Your dog may be more secure with you in the water with him and will work harder if you encourage him. You will benefit from warm water exercise just as he will.
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.
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