Not all dogs can dog-paddle, but you can train them to be safe in the water

There are certain things we assume dogs know by instinct. Sniffing, for instance, sometimes in embarrassing places. Barking, too, and begging for food scraps are also downloaded onto dogs’ internal computers at the factory.

Then there’s swimming. It seems so integral to being a dog that we’ve even named a stroke after them, the dog-paddle — so you’d assume that’s another thing that every dog is born knowing how to do.

It turns out that you’d be wrong. Not every dog knows instinctively how to swim, and some can’t swim at all, Wendy Diamond, the founder and editorial director of Animal Fair magazine, told TODAY. Dogs’ aquatic abilities are so misunderstood, in fact, that she put together a list of water safety tips for dog owners.

Sago Palm Plants Dangerous to Dogs

According to Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, veterinary toxicologist and vice president of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, all parts of the plant are toxic, not just the seeds or nuts, and common signs of ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, depression, seizures and liver failure. Please read poison prevention tips online.

Two Kids with Big Hearts and a Whole Lotta Love for Rescue Animals

About ILRA

About Rescue Animals

In short, we are a site dedicated to celebrating rescue animals of all kinds, supporting shelters, rescues and animal rights groups and to animal welfare worldwide. We advocate always choosing adoption over buying an animal.

We seek to raise awareness within our communities and to work towards a future where all animal owners are responsible and we no longer have to make the choice to put down otherwise adoptable animals simply due to a lack of space and resources.

We support animal welfare causes from around the world and believe people should take action in any way they can, whether it’s signing petitions, speaking up when they see mistreatment of animals, fostering animals, anything!

Everyone can make a difference!

A beauty pageant (of the 4-legged variety)

A beauty pageant (of the 4-legged variety)

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Animal rights, animal welfare and the law regarding animals

Animal rights, animal welfare and the law regarding animals

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Veterinary board gives Dr. O a smackdown - why won't BARC?

Veterinary board gives Dr. O a smackdown - why won't BARC?

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Austin Celebrations of Take Your Dog to Work Day Under the Weather This Year?

Every day is Take Your Dog To Work Day for Obama's Bo. Not much ado has been made today in Austin of the 10th anniversary of Take Your Dog to Work Day. With the death of Michael Jackson and triple-degree heat, this year's celebration is a bit under the weather.