Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, July 26, 1993                   TAG: 9307270030
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Fort Worth Star-Telegram
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

DON'T LET YOUR DOG JUST RUFF IT OUT ON THE WATER

If you're taking a pet pooch up the creek, down the river or on the beach during the dog days of summer, make sure the animal is as water-ready as man's best friend is supposed to be.

That's the word from the American Kennel Club, which cautions that, despite the assumptions of language and folklore, not all dogs know how to swim.

Indeed, many of the fun-in-the-sun activities enjoyed by humans can endanger the well-being and even the lives of dogs unless proper preparations and precautions are taken, the organization warns.

Most dogs are instinctive dog-paddlers, the AKC says, but animals entering the water for the first time should be tested. Ease your pet into the water; don't run or chase it in, and never throw it in.

Start by going into shallow water and calling your dog, coaxing it with a treat or toy if necessary. Sometimes it helps if an already-swim-tested pooch is present as an example. As your dog acclimates to the water, it will gain confidence just as a human swimmer does.

Don't let a new canine swimmer overdo it; newly exercised muscles may tire easily. Also be careful of strong tides and undertows, hazardous to all swimmers. And keep yourself in position to rescue the dog if necessary. Dogs can drown because of an inability to climb an embankment that would pose no problem to a human.

Other tips for dog welfare in a water environment:

Provide plenty of shade and fresh water to keep your dog from overheating. You know better than to drink sea water; make sure your pet does, too.

Sunburn can be a problem for dogs as well as for humans. That's especially true for short-haired dogs and those with pink skin and white hair. Apply sunblock to the animal's ears and nose a half hour before going out, and limit exposure to strong sunlight.

If you're at a supervised beach, check with a lifeguard about water conditions. Dogs are easy targets for jellyfish and sea lice.

Remember, running on the beach is strenuous exercise, and unless a dog is used to it, it can easily pull a tendon or ligament.

The salt and other minerals in sea water can damage a dog's coat. Rinse your pet thoroughly in fresh water at the end of the outing.

To receive a brochure titled Canine Summer Safety Guidelines, write the American Kennel Club, Public Relations Dept., 51 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10010.