Can Shiba Inu Swim & Do They Like Water? Vet-Reviewed Safety & Training Tips

Shiba Inu are high-spirited dogs, and their playful and adventurous nature is infectious to their owners. They are great companions for hiking, running, and sometimes cycling, depending on individual preference and training, but what about swimming? Shiba Inu can usually learn to swim if introduced gradually and safely, though comfort with water varies widely between individuals. They have a reputation for preferring to stay dry, but with some patience and encouragement, swimming can become a new activity for you to do together and one that your Shiba Inu can learn to enjoy and be comfortable with.

Can Shiba Inu Swim?

Shiba Inu were originally bred for hunting on land, and they don’t instinctively take to swimming. Some Shiba Inu can learn to swim if introduced gradually and safely from a young age, though this does not guarantee they will become confident or enthusiastic swimmers or that they will enjoy this activity.

While Shiba Inu are intelligent, they are also independent, which means they may not always be easy to train for water activities. Early positive exposure can help some individuals become more comfortable around water, but preferences vary widely, although the breed naturally enjoys athletic outdoor activities.

While some dogs learn to swim quickly, others take more time and may be hesitant to learn. If your Shiba Inu has had a negative or fearful experience with water, it may be a lot more difficult and may take longer to train, as they will first have to overcome their fear of water. However, it's important not to force your dog to swim and to respect their preferences.

Do Shiba Inu Like Water?

Shiba Inu is generally known not to enjoy water, but every dog is different, and there may be some factors that determine how much tolerance your dog has for water. It may depend on past experiences with water, how early they were introduced to it, and their current experience with water. As we mentioned, if your Shiba Inu had a negative experience with water in the past, your dog will more likely not enjoy the water.

That is also applicable to their current experience with water. For example, they may have been punished by being sprayed with water, they may have been thrown into the water by a previous owner, or they may have trauma from falling into the water. While these things sound unbelievable, they happen, and dogs often try to avoid situations associated with fear or discomfort.

While the Shiba Inu's instinct is to avoid water, if they are introduced to it at an early age, slowly and positively, some may become accustomed to it. 

What Are the Benefits of Teaching Your Shiba Inu to Swim?

Teaching your Shiba Inu to swim is not only an excellent opportunity to bond, but it may also provide potential benefits:

• A great form of exercise
• A low-impact way to stay active and engaged
• Helps support muscle strength and joint health
• It is beneficial for senior dogs
• It is an excellent method of rehabilitation after surgery
• Swimming keeps your dog cool on hot days

The 3 Tips for Training Your Shiba Inu to Swim

When it comes to training your Shiba Inu to swim, you will first need to get it accustomed to the water.

When you feel your Shiba Inu is confident around water and you are sure it is happy to be in the water, you can go ahead and start training your Shiba Inu to swim.

1. Start With a Shallow Pool

When you begin training your Shiba Inu to swim, start in a shallow area. A kid's paddling pool is best and will help keep your dog feeling safe as it builds confidence. You can start slowly and allow your Shiba's paws to get wet. Then, you can let them walk in and out of the water so they understand that they can get out when they choose to. You can provide praise and rewards every time your dog enters the water or use toys to entice them to play inside the pool. Watch your dog’s body language and stop if it seems hesitant, tired, or uninterested. Never force your dog into the water.

2. Switch to a Deeper Pool

As your Shiba Inu gains confidence, you can practice in a deeper pool. As soon as you reach levels where your dog has to paddle, ensure it has a life jacket. You may provide gentle support with your arm under their belly when introducing swimming, but it is important not to overly rely on holding your dog, as this can interfere with natural movement. Make sure you keep the paddling sessions short so that you do not exhaust your pup. Again, don’t forget to offer praise and rewards.

3. Provide Toys to Retrieve

As your Shiba's confidence builds, you can start throwing in toys for your dog to retrieve and start moving to other bodies of water, such as bigger pools, ponds, or lakes. However, the swimming area must be safe, without currents or rip tides.

If your dog is not into retrieving objects or swimming, respect their preferences and find an activity they enjoy instead.

Conclusion

Shiba Inu generally don’t love water, nor do they hate it. They are not water dogs with a keen ability to swim, but with early training and a safe introduction to water, some of them can grow up to enjoy occasional swimming. It is important to remember that every dog is different; some may love the water, and others may want to avoid it. However, Shiba Inu are highly intelligent and independent, which can make training them to swim somewhat challenging.

Featured Image Credit: Trybex, Shutterstock