There is nothing quite like a Northwest Indiana summer with a water-loving dog.

Maybe your dog races through the sprinkler, jumps into the backyard pool, or never misses a chance to splash along the shoreline. Then the fun ends, your dog shakes water across everyone within ten feet, and you reach for a towel.

But is a quick towel-dry enough?

Not always.

Pool chemicals, lake debris, damp ears, wet collars, and moisture caught deep in the coat can all follow your dog home. The good news is that post-swim care does not need to become a second event. A simple routine can help keep your dog clean, comfortable, and ready for the next adventure.

Why Swimming Changes Your Dog’s Grooming Needs

Water affects every coat differently, but the biggest concern is often what stays behind after the swim.

Chlorinated pool water may leave residue on the skin and coat. Natural water can carry sand, mud, plant material, and other debris. Even clean sprinkler water can create tangles when a long, curly, or dense coat repeatedly gets wet and dries without being brushed.

Moisture can also linger in places that are easy to miss, including:

  • Beneath the collar or harness
  • Behind the ears
  • Under the legs
  • Between the toes
  • Around skin folds
  • Deep inside a thick undercoat

That is why your dog’s after-swim routine should begin before the coat dries on its own.

The Five-Step After-Swim Routine

1. Start With a Fresh-Water Rinse

Give your dog a thorough rinse with clean, lukewarm water after swimming in a pool, lake, river, or pond. This helps wash away chlorine, dirt, sand, and other residue before it dries against the skin.

Pay extra attention to the belly, legs, paws, underside of the tail, and any area covered by swimming gear.

A fresh-water rinse does not always need to become a full shampoo. Dogs that swim frequently may need a grooming routine tailored to their coat and skin so repeated bathing does not leave them feeling dry. Use only products made for dogs, and ask your groomer or veterinarian which products make sense for your pet.

One important summer reminder: If you are using an outdoor hose, let the water run and test the temperature first. Water sitting inside a hose in the sun can become dangerously hot.

2. Remove Wet Gear

Take off your dog’s collar, harness, life jacket, or bandana after the swim. Rinse the gear if needed and let it dry separately.

A damp strap resting against damp fur creates friction and prevents the coat underneath from drying properly. Before putting the gear back on, check the covered areas for tangles, redness, or irritation.

3. Dry More Than the Surface

A quick rub across the back may make your dog look dry while moisture is still hiding close to the skin.

Use a clean, absorbent towel and gently press—rather than aggressively scrub—the coat. Be especially thorough around the paws, armpits, belly, skin folds, and beneath floppy ears.

Dogs with thick or double coats can remain damp underneath long after the top layer feels dry. If your dog swims often, a professional groomer can help you choose a safe drying and brushing routine for that coat type.

4. Give the Ears Special Attention

Wet ears deserve more than a quick glance. A warm, moist ear canal can create a comfortable environment for yeast and bacteria, especially in dogs with floppy ears or a history of ear trouble.

Gently dry the ear flap and the visible outer portion of the ear. Do not push cotton swabs into the ear canal.

If your dog regularly gets water in their ears, ask your veterinarian whether a veterinarian-approved drying ear cleaner belongs in your routine. Avoid alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or homemade mixtures unless your veterinarian specifically directs you to use them.

Watch for head shaking, repeated scratching, redness, odor, discharge, or discomfort when the ear is touched. Those are reasons to call your veterinarian—not just schedule a bath.

5. Brush for Your Dog’s Coat Type

Once the coat is dry, give it the brushing it needs. Focus on areas that rub together or hold moisture, such as behind the ears, beneath the collar, under the legs, along the belly, and around the tail.

The right tool matters:

  • Short, smooth coats: A gentle rubber brush can help lift loose hair and debris.
  • Curly or fleece-like coats: Brush in small sections and check your work with a comb, reaching through the coat without scraping the skin.
  • Long or feathered coats: Check behind the ears, legs, belly, and tail for small tangles before they grow.
  • Double coats: Dry the undercoat thoroughly and remove loose coat with the right brush. A double coat should not automatically be shaved for summer.

If the brush will not move through an area without pulling, stop. Tight tangles and mats can be painful, and forcing a brush through them can irritate or injure the skin. This is a good time to ask a professional groomer for help.

The Wet-Dog Smell That Comes Back Too Quickly

A little wet-dog smell after swimming is expected. An odor that stays after your dog is clean and dry—or returns unusually fast—deserves a closer look.

Check for dampness beneath the collar, around the ears, between the toes, and deep in the coat. Also look for redness, greasy areas, flakes, sores, or repeated licking and scratching.

A groomer can help with coat buildup, loose undercoat, tangles, and matting. Persistent odor, inflamed skin, painful areas, or changes in your dog’s ears should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

A Quick but Important Note About Natural Water

Not every body of water is safe for swimming.

Keep your dog out of water that looks discolored or has foam, scum, mats, a paint-like appearance, or a bad smell. These can be signs of a harmful algal bloom. Dogs may be exposed by drinking the water, swimming in it, or later licking it from their fur.

Because these toxins can cause serious illness very quickly, suspected exposure is a veterinary emergency. Move your dog away from the water, prevent licking, rinse the coat with fresh water if you can do so safely, and contact a veterinarian right away.

When Should a Frequent Swimmer See the Groomer?

There is no single schedule for every water-loving dog. Coat type, swimming frequency, skin sensitivity, and at-home care all make a difference.

It may be time for a grooming appointment if you notice:

  • Tangles forming faster than you can comfortably remove them
  • A dense undercoat that stays damp for a long time
  • Chlorine, sand, or lake residue building up in the coat
  • A rough, dry, or dull-looking coat
  • Persistent odor after rinsing and drying
  • Nails or paw fur that need attention before the next outing

A professional bath, conditioning treatment, thorough drying, and coat-specific brushing can help reset the coat. Your groomer can also show you which areas need the most attention between visits.

More Splashing, Less Guessing

Swimming can be wonderful exercise and enrichment for dogs who enjoy it. The goal is not to take away the fun—it is to finish the day with the same care you used to plan it.

Rinse. Remove wet gear. Dry thoroughly. Check the ears. Brush for the coat.

Those few extra minutes can make summer adventures much more comfortable for your best friend.

At Hydrant Pet Center in Highland, Indiana, our team can help you build a grooming routine around your dog’s real life—including every pool jump, lake day, and run through the sprinkler.

If your summer swimmer needs a professional bath, brush-out, de-shedding treatment, or full groom, schedule an appointment online or call us at 219-923-3649.

This article provides general pet-care information and is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Contact your veterinarian if your dog develops skin irritation, ear symptoms, pain, or illness after swimming.