I don't really know why some dogs hate the water and some love it. It's much easier when a dog likes a bath. I've never seen my dogs swim, but they obviously hate the bath. It makes them scared for some reason. Any idea why?

I'm not very sure as my dog is perfectly fine with water. Maybe they just hate it. Maybe you could try showering with them watching? Using the same place you use to bathe them. It may show the, that it's completely safe and normal. Then, while showering mid-way, try to get them in with you and enjoy the water. Get them to stop thinking it is dangerous. It may also be the water temperature. Try using slightly heated water, water that's not directly from the cold tap. This may entice them for a warm bath especially when they are cold.

My dogs aren't hate water while they are out of it, once they get in the water to get bathed they calm down and even enjoy it. Mind you once they get out they get even happier and will run around trying to dry themselves.

Well we have not really had the opportunity to do too much swimming with our dog, but all sign point to him loving it. He is not the greatest swimmer yet, and even the doggy paddle looks a little tough for him, but that is what you get when you live somewhere that is not close to any body of water. He will get his chances to get better, and I am sure that he will.

Let me put it this way. When we go to walk near the river during the summer we usually go for at list 5 km. I am usually walking and Joe is mostly walking in the water or swimming, depending on the depth of the river. Retrievers are swamp dogs and they just love it. Usually I toss him some bottle and he fetches. It can be a bit frustrating because 5 km is a long walk but he enjoys it very much and I am very happy when he is very happy.

No, they hate water. My dogs don't even like to take a bath. When i announced that it is bath time, then everyone will hide.

I have heard that a lot about dogs, it's curious that some of them are naturally able to swim. But sadly I haven't taken my dogs to a place where they can really swim, but even without watching them in that evriroment I am almost sure that they are not going to like it, lol.
They hate baths, and I can relate that hate to water based activities in general.

All my dogs have been hate water. Forget swimming, they are even afraid of taking a bath. They will do a vanishing act as soon as they get to know that it's time for their bath.

My dog loves to swim that I joke and say I have a German Shepherd Dogfish because I can't keep her out of the lake. She runs towards it every time we go for a walk and there is no amount of treats I could bribe her to not jump in. I don't mind it though, it's cute how excited she gets to leap into the water and swim. The plus side is that she's easy to give a bath to. I've never met a dog that didn't like to swim but I can imagine the heavier, stockier, and shorter legged dogs disliking swimming for practical reasons. But most animals hate water unless they've been introduced to it and taught how to swim.

My belgian malinois loves water. Every time we bathe him he doesn't complain and he even barks in joy. He loves the bubbly soap and smelling great afterwards. I think he also loves it because we play with the hose and he runs around the garden afterwards.

I have never seen a dog dive under water, that must be a cool sight. I let my dogs swim, they love it, but I don't because I'm not the best swimmer so I keep them in the 3 to 4 foot section only.

I worry about them drowning when we go because I don't know if they are in-taking too much water so I'm always checking on them. I love to swim with my dogs though, it's a lot of fun. I trained them when they were young. I bought a guide, and it worked really well.

My dogs all loved to swim, but the one that is still surviving is too old. Anyway, from reading this thread, I'm surprised to learn some dogs hate water. I figured they all loved it. I thought it was in their nature. Well, what about cats? Are there cats who love water? I don't think there are - even though they can naturally swim.

Maybe it's because of the area that we are living at the moment, but my dog doesn't swim and I know that she is going to find that uncomfortable to do as well even if we decide to relocate to a new area in the future. The only thing lukio enjoys is taking a bath and that is what I don't like with on a daily basis.

Some dogs naturally born to swim just need training and my dog know how to swim. I always bring him in the pool. I just standby for whatever happens because my dog is a newbie in swimming.

My dog hate water so much. When i take him to bath he always try to find ways to get out so i always lock the door of bathroom. After finish taking bath he immediately rolling and putting dirt again in his body.

My dogs love water! It's a joy having them take a bath, they don't seem to get enough of it and would go back to the water after they're done.