Frequently Asked Questions

Why should my dog swim?   

Swimming provides non-impact conditioning exercise that is easy on the joints.  The properties of water are both assistive and resistive. It allows for greater freedom of movement and improved fitness and strength simultaneously.  Swimming may be the only way a severely arthritic dog can exercise effectively since the buoyancy of the water counteracts gravity.  Neurologically impaired dogs can stand and move in the water when very difficult or impossible on land.  Swimming is beneficial for cross-training for athletic dogs that run and jump such as in agility.  The caloric expenditure is significant with swimming to promote weight loss when needed.  Finally, FlowDog strongly believes that all dogs should know how to swim for safety reasons (just as all children should.) Even though you may never expect to take your dog swimming on your own, I have heard many stories over the years where dogs have unexpectedly fallen into a body of water and sunk or panicked. It is imperative that you know your dog has the swimming skill to save itself should this happen. 

What if my dog is not a swimmer?             

Many of the dogs that we service are not swimmers by nature.  This may be due to breed disposition, a traumatic experience with water, or simply never being introduced to swimming properly.  Based on our vast experience we are able to positively encourage your pet’s participation in swimming.  This involves using the life vest, the swim instructor joining your pet in the pool, the caregiver’s support, lots of toys, and even a treat or two if necessary.  Many who were hesitant to start have become FlowDog fans, now begging and whining to swim as soon as they arrive! 

Why should my dog swim at FlowDog instead of a lake, pond, or the ocean? 

FlowDog eliminates the hidden dangers associated with outdoor swimming. Unknown contaminants in outdoor bodies of water may cause health issues. The most dangerous part of swimming is the entry and exit from the water. It may be over rugged, rocky terrain or too far from a parking area for your dog to tolerate. The change in density from air to water as your dog repeatedly gets in and out of the water can lead to injury. Jumping or leaping into water may cause conditions such as swimmer’s tail. Because we typically cannot see what is under the water’s surface, your dog could strike an object or become tangled. Furthermore, the temperature of outdoor water is too cold in New England for many months of the year. Unpredictable currants and riptides provide yet another potential danger. 

Do I need to bring towels? 

No.  FlowDog provides clean towels for drying your pet after every swim.  Blow drying services are also available upon request free of charge. 

Are dogs roaming freely within the facility?        

No.  All dogs are to be kept on leash. 

Do I swim with my dog? 

No.  FlowDog policy does not permit anyone, except trained staff members, to enter the water with the pets.  However, caregivers are encouraged to actively participate in their dogs swim session and are in the pool area cheering them on at all times. 

How long does my dog swim? 

All swim sessions are scheduled for 30 minutes.  However, the length of the swim time depends on many factors such as your pet’s age, general conditioning, medical history, goals of the swim, experience swimming, etc.

Does my dog wear a life vest?        

Yes.  FlowDog policy requires all pets to wear a life vest for safety reasons.  Life vests are provided. 

Do you use chemicals in the pool? 

Yes.  Chemicals are required to keep the water safe for your pet and free of bacteria and fungus.  We balance the water hardness, alkalinity, pH, and sanitizer (Bromine) daily. 

What temperature is the pool water? 

The temperature is kept between 85 and 88 degrees.  The warm water is therapeutic, allowing increased comfort, range of motion, flexibility, and circulation as your pet exercises in the pool. 

How many dogs swim at one time?  Can my dogs swim together? 

One.  For the safety of all, only one pet is allowed in the pool at a time.  This permits the swim instructor to closely monitor your dog for the duration of their swim.  Multiple dogs may be on premises at any given time, but only one dog is in the water. 

Why does my dog need a referral from a veterinarian to swim if they are healthy? 

The referral is required per FlowDog policy to insure your pet’s safety and communicate your intentions to swim your pet at FlowDog to the veterinarian.  It is important that all professionals caring for your pet be aware of the services your pet is receiving. 

How often should my dog swim? 

This depends on your pet’s age, medical condition, and general fitness level.  For example, most older dogs with arthritis benefit greatly from swimming 1-2 times each week.  A young athletic dog recovering from surgery could swim up to 3 times per week to maximize their recovery in the shortest period of time.  Typically, in order to allow for full recovery between swim sessions, we do not recommend swimming two days in a row. 

What is the swim instructor’s role? 

To supervise and protect your pet, monitor for signs of fatigue or distress, entertain, and foster a nurturing environment.  A swim instructor goes into the pool with every dog during their first evaluation.  If your pet is comfortable swimming in our setting, the level of direct contact may be gradually reduced such that your dog is swimming independently with the swim instructor supervising from the pool deck.