Game #18 · Health & Fitness
Water Fetch
Provides an intense workout that is incredibly easy on aging or sore joints.
- What you need:
- A safely accessible body of water and a floating toy.
How to play
- Toss the floating toy just a few inches into the shallow water.
- Encourage them to wade in, grab it, and bring it back to shore.
- Gradually throw it slightly deeper so they have to swim a few strokes.
- Always monitor their exhaustion closely, as swimming is hard work.
Coach's notes
- One minute of swimming ≈ four minutes of running — cap sessions accordingly.
- Rinse off salt, chlorine, and lake water afterward; dry ears thoroughly.
- Life jacket for dogs new to swimming or with dense/muscular builds.
- Watch for water intoxication — obsessive retrievers can swallow dangerous volumes.
If your dog loses interest
Quick fixes when engagement drops mid-session.
- Won't enter the water? Wade in yourself with the toy — dogs mirror your comfort level.
- If they lose interest, switch to a floating toy that squeaks. Dry sticks sink and frustrate them.
- Cold water tires dogs fast — 10 minutes max on the first few outings, then a warm towel.
Why it works
Hydrotherapy is the standard rehab exercise for osteoarthritic and post-surgical dogs precisely because it decouples cardiovascular load from joint impact.
References
- [8] Zink, M. C., & Van Dyke, J. B. (Eds.) (2018). Canine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
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