The fear of water is usually related to cats. The most common belief is that dogs love water, while cats hate it and are afraid of it. The truth is that the phobia of water is not only something that is typical of cats. Many dogs are also scared of water. But, at the same time, there are a lot of water-loving canines.
Whether your dog adores spending time in the water or is afraid of it will depend on many different factors, such as the genetics, the dog breed, the size of your dog, and its overall personality. In this regard, the reasons why your dog can be scared of water are also diverse. Do you want to know all about the explanations behind the curious phobia of water that some dogs experience? Read along to find out more about this interesting phenomenon!
Main reasons that explain this dog fear
As we mentioned above, there are many different reasons that can explain why your furry buddy is afraid of water. Depending on your dog’s breed, size, age and personality, you may find that one explanation is more aligned to its particular case than others.
Thus, when considering the explanations behind this curious dog phobia, one of the most common things that can be happening is that your dog is simply not used to being around water. Therefore, when it encounters a watery area, they will be experiencing something new, and the water will be feeling different on their fur or under their paws. Another reason that can lie behind the fear of water may be related to your dog’s past.
In this sense, it is possible that your pet has suffered a traumatic water experience in the past, or that it was compelled to get wet before it was ready. An example of this can be if its first times taking a bath were violent and abrupt experiences, in which the dog was forced to take the bath.
Is there anything that can be done about it?
Fortunately, there are different solutions and ways in which you can prevent or address your furry friend’s fear of water. With patience, love and care, you can be sure to prevent your best buddy from experiencing a frightening situation when it comes close to the water.
Furthermore, the fear of water can be quite complicated, especially when your dog is afraid of taking baths. With more or less frequency, taking baths is essential for every dog’s wellbeing. Therefore, your canine friend will have to face the bath experience whether it likes it or not. Thus, it is very important to be aware of the different methods that you can put into practice to address your dog’s fear of water. Next, we will share with you some tips and ideas to take care of this.