Why Water Play is Great for High-Energy Dogs

If you’re the proud owner of a furry pet that can’t seem to stop moving, then you’re likely in dire need of ways to keep them tame and preoccupied.

If you do it more often than not, a brisk walk around the block may no longer cut it for high-energy dogs. You’d need another sort of activity to meet their physical and mental needs. 

One wonderful way to help them burn off excess energy is by engaging them with water play.

Water play, such as swimming, splashing, or chasing toys in the water, gives your dog another layer of fun with the presence of water. 

It’s a sensory enriching experience for your dogs, and the new texture and feel of the water as something more than a tool to shower with can be an enjoyable experience.

Ready to know why? Let’s browse through some key reasons why water play can be an excellent way to keep your dog happy and in shape.

1- It Works Out Their Body

Just like humans, dogs need to move around to build their strength and stamina. A sedentary dog is an easily-irritable one, and this doesn’t bode well for the owner and the dog, especially if the latter is a high-energy breed like a Border Collie.

By incorporating water play into your dog’s daily routine, you can give them another avenue to work out their various muscle groups. Depending on the water’s volume, they can either waddle, tread, or use water play toys for dogs on the liquid surface—and each of these activities stimulates different core muscle groups in your pup.

An active dog is a healthy one. By allowing them to play in the water, as well as providing them with the right nourishment, you’ll make it easier for them to engage in more strenuous activities and workouts with ease. This, in turn, helps keep them strong and healthy enough to tackle most physical activities—granted that they’re not totally exhausted from their playtime!

2- Burns Off Excess Energy

High-energy dogs can’t stay still for very long—that’s an undisputed fact. They can become restless and act out if they don’t get their energy needs met. 

If you’re unable to consistently provide them with some ways to exercise, then they may act out in destructive ways, like chewing on furniture, getting aggressive, or using the toilet on the floor. Obviously, no household would want that for themselves and their family members.

Instead of walking your dog daily, you can consider varying your range of activities by incorporating water play into the mix. For instance, you can let them fetch a ball or stick over a puddle of water to engage multiple muscle groups and burn off their energy quickly.

You can also give them weekly or monthly swim sessions. These activities engage various muscle groups that may not be activated when the dog simply walks or runs. 

Water also has natural resistance that tires dogs more easily, which can help your dog feel relaxed and content in a shorter span of time than simply going on a stroll.

3- Helps Dogs With Joint Problems

Water’s buoyant nature makes it an excellent way for dogs with joint problems to get some much-needed exercise. 

Typically, dogs with arthritis or joint problems will face profound difficulty jumping or running around. In severe cases, they may even experience varying degrees of pain while engaging in traditional forms of play.

This can be a terrible thing for dogs to feel, especially if they were once previously active and still want to burn off energy, despite their bodily limitations.

By putting your dog into a body of water, such as a swimming pool, they can muscle their muscles and joints and train their mobility over time. This can help give them some much-needed exercise even if they’re facing joint issues like hip dysplasia and muscle discomfort.

In turn, your dog will feel the contentment of exercise without the stress on the joints. This can give them all the benefits of a good round of exercise without the drawbacks.

4- Improves Cardiovascular Health

Both dogs and humans share a similar trait: if our hearts stop beating, we’re as good as gone. Fortunately, there are ways to postpone life’s finality, and that’s by getting enough exercise.

For dogs, activities like swimming can strengthen the heart and improve circulation. This improved blood flow keeps dogs healthy and in high spirits even as they age. This is especially true if they engage in water play regularly and consistently.

Furthermore, water play tends to be more physically strenuous than dry versions of the play. The higher exerted effort increases oxygen delivery to the muscles, which can curb any potential heart-related issues that a dog may otherwise develop with a sedentary lifestyle.

It’s also possible for water play to be less strenuous. For instance, swimming can be less physically taxing on dog breeds prone to heart-related risks like boxers and American bullies. This safer environment helps keep them safe and energised as they enhance their cardiovascular system.

5- Encourages Bonding

Water play introduces a unique and fun way for dogs to bond with their owners. Getting your dog active in water is a distinct and memorable experience. Having your dog playing in it with their owner by their side can deepen both of your emotional connection.

Furthermore, water play is fun and presents a new challenging environment that can be physically and mentally enriching for your dog to handle. 

When done alongside the person they trust the most, your furry pal’s feeling of contentment will be heightened. This, in turn, can deepen the mutual respect and love between the owner and the pet.

6- Provides Cooling Relief

Finally, water play is a great way for your dog to stay cool during the summer months or in tropical weather. Typically, playing with your dog on a concrete and unroofed area under scorching sunlight can be an uncomfortable experience. But that doesn’t mean you have to deprive your dog of exercise altogether.

The best alternative is to get them into a pool of water. Whether you plan to bring them to a lake, a river, or a pool, putting your dog in a place where there’s water can help them safely get their exercise needs met during warm weather. The refreshing texture of water can dismiss the heat emanating from the sun.

With sun strokes and heat-related health issues posing very real problems across hotter regions of the world, it’s essential to ensure that your dog isn’t under any real threat. In such scenarios, giving them some time to exercise in the water is the best way to keep them active, safe, and content.