Swimming at Allers Farm

Swimming sessions are held once or twice a month at Allers Farm Kennels in Blantyre.  

• There are washing facilities in the pool area for your dog.  Shampoo is provided but feel free to bring your own along if you prefer.

• There is a dryer available for drying your dog after the session, but please bring along your own doggie towels.

• It is advisable to bring along a change of clothes as you can get quite wet during the session.  There is a small room with toilet and shower available where you can change.

• Please do not feed your dog for at least 4 hours before attending the session.

• It is advised not to feed your dog for approximately 1 hour after swimming.

• Please ensure your dog has been to the toilet before arriving.

• Bitches in season will not be able to attend until their season has finished.

• Dogs should be kept on a lead both inside and outside unless advised.

• Dogs with infectious or contagious conditions for example, eye, ear or skin infections will not be able to attend.

Sessions are organised by our committee member Susan Steen.  If you would like to attend, please contact her directly at:  

stick5@hotmail.com

Allers Farm, Stoneymeadow Road, Blantyre, G72 9UE

Why Swim?

Swimming is an excellent form of exercise for your dog because most of the muscles normally used in movement are involved in swimming but with one significant difference.  None of the stresses caused by motion on hard ground are present.

While these stresses are necessary to maintain healthy strong bones and joints however, if these stresses are severe or repetitive they can damage or weaken the limbs.  Swimming allows the "working out" and strengthening of the muscles while avoiding unnecessary stresses.   Also, because of the increased resistance to movement caused by the water, the muscles have to work harder than they would do on land.

There are other benefits to swimming such as:

Increasing the circulation of blood and oxygen to the muscles

Increased muscle relaxation and a reduction in pain and stiffness

Enhances healing from injury

Increased cardiovascular health

Improvements in respiration system

Swimming also tones most of the major muscle groups and improves the general health and fitness of the dog.  Movement in water is more difficult due to the resistance of the water.  Water based exercise uses 30% more oxygen than similar land based exercise. 

By encouraging pain free limb movement against the resistance of water, muscle bulk will improve and muscle wastage will be reversed making swimming an excellent form of exercise for all dogs, especially seniors.