Dog Paddle has been nominated as a finalist for the 2019 Shepherd Express Best of Milwaukee for Pet Grooming/Services. Thank you to everyone who put in a nomination. Final round voting is going on now until December 5th. Please take a moment to show your support for Dog Paddle and vote for us under Dog Grooming/Services category in the Services Rendered section. https://shepherdexpress.com/best-of-milwaukee/2019#// Our customers are what makes Dog Paddle the best of Milwaukee, both our two-legged and four-legged customers. If the dogs were allowed to vote I am sure we would win every time.

Snowflake started coming to Dog Paddle to lose some weight. She weighed 90lbs and it was very difficult to get her in the water. The life vest did not fit her big body and little head, while trying to swim her arms would get caught up in the neck hole of the life vest. I would have to wrestle her onto the ramp to get her to go in and I almost gave up on her. We could only get her in for three laps before she was totally exhausted. Since she started coming she has lost 14lbs and is in much better shape. She swims the whole time and we stopped counting laps. Snowflake is much happier and healthier and enjoys her time at Dog Paddle now. The only drawback is she is able to jump up and counter surf again. Her brother Toby started joining her and loves the water. We won't tell him it is good for him, he just thinks it is fun.

Our buddy Cooper practicing his underwater retrieval skills.

They say the single most important breed characteristic for Newfoundlands is their sweet temperament. Our friend Bear definitely lives up to that breed standard. Newfs are very powerful dogs with an affinity for water. For those reasons they are trained and used in water rescues. Here is Bear showing off taking Tally for a ride.

Ryker is a high energy, anxious boy and swimming is a great way to burn off that energy. The only problem is trying to get him out of the pool. The minute he senses his time is up he is very smart avoiding coming out of the pool for us to get his leash on.

Cowboy Andy is a senior dog who was about to be euthanized at a shelter in Texas before he was rescued. When he first came to Dog Paddle I wasn't too sure how he would handle swimming. Turns out he LOVES it and he'll even jump off the side when he is in the mood. Yee Haw Cowboy Andy!!!

This is Hank. Hank is about 2 years old and a rescue dog from down South. Hank was hit by a car when he was found and has had two surgeries, luckily they were able to save his leg. He is very shy and nervous in new situations. He's been coming out of his shell and today he went skinny dipping (no life vest) for the first time. Way to go Hank!

Izzie loves balls, she also loves swimming. Dog Paddle makes Izzie bounce with joy.

It was another busy weekend at Dog Paddle and today the big dogs came to play. We had a three Newfie buddy swim with Tucker, Hagrid and Boe. Mason and Bella stopped in for a swim. New Newfie Emma came for her first swim.