I’m proud that, for a number of years, the most popular post on this blog is ‘How to Save a Swimmer Puppy‘. However, I am frequently asked for photographs to illustrate the techniques I mentioned. I have recently had a litter of puppies, so I could stage images showing techniques on young puppies for saving a swimmer puppy.
Sling Method
This is by far the most simple method. I use a pillow case, suspended from the back of a chair, and then the puppy is placed inside the pillow case, meaning the puppy is basically in a hammock. When the puppy is placed in the hammock, is important that their legs are tucked underneath them, or the puppy is on their side.
It’s important that the puppy is not allowed to get cold while in this sling, too. You can warm the material of the hammock before placing the puppy inside, and then you can also put a heat pack underneath, on the ground, too (as hot air rises).
You can do this several times a day, ensuring that the puppy stays warm and gets plenty of time to feed in between its time in the sling. Puppies are surprisingly tolerant of this process and rarely object when their stomach is full and their a good temperature.
This is a (zebra-print) pillow case that is suspended on the back of a red chair. Inside, is a baby puppy.
This process will help to fix swimmer puppies.
A puppy (little black blob at the bottom) in a suspended sling. This will help puppies recover from swimmer syndrome.
Handcuff Method
Using electrical tape, you can create handcuffs that pull the puppies legs inwards, preventing them flailing out to the side as a swimmer. It’s important when using this method that you don’t do it too tight. (To be honest, when I’ve used this method, I’ve had it fall off numerous times a day because of how loose I make it. Fine by me!) You also want to make sure you don’t put too much length between the cuffs – remember the cuffs are supposed to pull the pup’s legs inwards, so if you make the cuffs too long, then the puppy’s legs are still going to be able to swim.
Tools required for the handcuff method: Electrical tape and a pair of scissors!
Step one: Cut a length of tape. We only need one length of tape, and the exact length will depend on your puppy and how far east west its legs are.
Step two a: Make one loop of the handcuffs. (This image is for illustration purposes – in reality you’d need the puppy’s leg in that loop!)
Step two b: Make a second loop of the handcuffs. (Photo for illustration purposes – in reality, there would be a puppy with a leg through each loop!)
I’m sorry that I am not much of a photographer, but here are some pictures to try to illustrate how these handcuffs look actually on a puppy.
A puppy in swimmer handcuffs.
A puppy in swimmer handcuffs.
A puppy in swimmer handcuffs.
The benefits of the puppy handcuffs is that they can stay on for long periods of time, and the puppy can still feed and cuddle mum and litter mates while wearing them. Sometimes mothers will remove the handcuffs, and sometimes they fall off, so you are likely to have to put on new handcuffs several times a day. Initially, for a severely affected puppy, you may need to start with long handcuffs then reduce the distance between the handcuffs over time. Puppies are surprisingly tolerant of the handcuffs and rarely fuss once they’re on and they’re back at the milkbar!
For more tips please do see How To Save a Swimmer Puppy.
I just saw someone with a pit bull puppy on their porch who said he was a swimmer. His back legs were tied and he was screaming in pain. I don’t think this is normal but want to confirm. Should I call the police?
Thank you,
Erin
Swimmer puppies should be dealt with before 8 weeks, and generally will not scream when they’re hobbled. It does not sound like a genuine approach in the situation you’ve described.
Hi leema, could u please help me! I am scared. I have a litter of french bulldogs, they are 4 weeks old today. The largrst boy, meaning he is pretty chubby has swimmer legs on the back legs. His front legs he has under him and he lifts up with them but not the back legs! Is he a true swimmer? Can i help him? Im so worried!
Hi Erica. Normally swimmers push their front legs to their sides – not under them. I would still use the techniques listed here, like the bumpy ground, for example, to try to encourage him to use his hind legs.
We got a 8 week pit bull 3 weeks ago. He seemed to be a perfectly healthy puppy. The first week was great and then one morning when we let him out of his kennel he couldn’t Walk. Two days later he has his shots and since then he has gotten worse. He just lays around. He whines a lot but I think he’s bored. He doesn’t seem to be in pain. He legs are straight out. Any suggestions. Vet game him any anti-inflammatory after X-rays he say that be had hyoerthroic osteodysthrophy but the symptoms aren’t the same
How long will it take the puppy to walk when using these methods?
A few days, Diamond.
Thank you! My puppy is 8 weeks today, do you think that it is a lost cause? I read in another article that if not treated before 8 weeks the puppy can die!
I also have an 7 to 8 wk swimmer puppy! Is it too late to try to correct?
Hello, I have a puppy who I believe might be a swimmer puppy, however her legs go directly in front of her and pulled under then to her sides. Her chest is to the ground and her paw pads face up. I can send a picture if needed.
Paw pads face up, check into radial nerve paralysis I think is what its called
I wasn’t having any idea about swimmer puppies. My Bitch is not swimmer type but I think I have gain much Knowledge that how to treat swimmer puppies. Someday my bitch too has puppies then I will able to use that.
We are about to get a puppy. We went and saw her yesterday and she was walking oddly almost dragging her back legs is she a swimmer pup?
It’s hard to say from this brief description. I certainly would not buy a puppy that was not working properly when purchased at 8 weeks.
https://youtu.be/XAwZjLbWx_Q?list=PLBZ0WuW1WvhlK2QjxyXAtvMlcI5Oia7T8
I have a 3 week 2 day litter of 2 our girl stands up on front legs but is unsteady on back letting them kick out to the sides I noticed afew days ago but as her brother had only just started to stand wasn’t worried now he’s standing solid walking g ect it’s obvious she’s not the same I have today since reading this been sitting with her on lap holding legs in place massaging ect and will have her vet checked Monday but us anything else I could do to help please
did you ever get a responce and what did you do for your puppy
Very unique way of handling puppies for photos. We might have to remember these techniques for future photos.
I have a litter of french bulldogs, they are now 4 weeks old. I have noticed that the largest of them all struggle to get up on his bag legs to walk. I have found this website very helpful and I now know how to help him recover. I have also read that gentle swimming lessons could help him strengthen his muscles in his back legs. Would you recommend this?
many thanks
Julie
I just watched an episode of Bondi Vet where one of two puppies were diagnosed as having swimmer puppy disease.
That was why I had to google to learn more and picked this website!
Chris the vet showed owner how she can help the puppy with physio exercises to strenghten the back legs, a cute little splint in the puppy clothing but instead of having it cover back it was used under tummy to help align the chest to grow properly and also using swimming lessons by holding puppy under tummy so it can use all four paws doing doggy swim! It helped as puppy was weightless in the pool or tub and was using his back legs properly and gained so much muscle strenght! Well worth checking Bondi Vet website and see if you can watch that specific show!
It was amazing when he came back 3 weeks later after owner had worked hard with it and you couldn’t tell which puppy had the disease! Amazing and interesting!
Hi I have a 6 week old pug who possibly has swimmers syndrome or spinal bifida. What do you suggest? I’m doing squat stretches and using pool noodles for him to walk along. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you
Hi, 3 weeks ago my French bulldog self whelped 5 beautiful pups. 3 passed away 48 hours after the birth and the vet could not give us any answers as to why. 2 days ago one of the pups lost a little weight and then refused to eat. I made an appointment with the vet urgently and within a few hours he deteriorated further of breathlessness. The vet said he had a flat chest, they put him in an incubator but unfortunately he couldn’t tolerate being out of it and he died yesterday!! I’m so heartbroken and incredibly nervous for our last pup!! I took him to the vet, and they said he is also flat chested! I’ve been searching Google for some form of help as our vets don’t seem to no what to do!! They gave me antibiotics,which made him sick! We have a whelping bed, which he can totter around. His back legs do lag behind a little. He will not sleep on his side. I’m going to try the pillow case and hopefully this will help! I’m terrified we r going to lose him too!!
Tube socks filled with wood shavings in the whelping box helps as well.
I have a 4 week old puppy that exhibits swimmer puppy signs but only after she eats. Otherwise she can stand and walk but just slower than other pups. Had her vet checked and vet says she is healthy but may just be a little delayed in muscle development. I am concerned because after she eats, she seems like she has absolutely no energy to stand or move. Is there any correlation between feeding and swimmer pups becoming worse? My thought is that she is a swimmer but mild and somehow after she eats it makes it worse. And she is not being overfed,
Hi Tiffany. I’m sorry, I’m not sure what is wrong with your puppy, but I hope you find the cause and a solution soon.
Hi,
I have a swimmer. Chest is flat, legs are out to the side and is 4 weeks old. How long per day do I tape them up or use your method on a daily basis? I ask because if I keep the tape on her front legs for example mom or litter mate will chew them up and remove them.
I tape legs until they are walking easily on their own. If the mother chews off the tape, I just re-tape it as soon as I notice – unless, of course, the puppy is now walking properly.
My puppy is about 3 months old and I think after reading this he is a swimmer but it’s his hind legs that he has problems with… Would any of these methods work for him
I don’t know, but I wouldn’t imagine these techniques would cause any harm.
Dear Leema,
I had a Rott puppy suffer swimmer syndrome and I applied your similar therapy. I have noticed that one hip is higher and he limps. I have applied some gentle pressure to check if pain but not getting the pain feedback from him. It is now 8 months old and limps as it runs or walk.
Does swimmer syndrome affect hips later or this is something different and not related to the earlier swimmer syndrome?
Thanks very much.
Regards,
Mawuli
I would say what you are describing is not swimmer syndrome but something else.
Hello. My dog just had her first litter 3 weeks ago. All pups are walking and doing fine besides 1 female. I have seen her walk but she does it very slowly. I also watch her drag her hung legs most of them time though. Should I worry since she has walked or is she still at risk? Thank you.
Hi Melody. I would tape the legs that are hanging to help her use them, especially if she is not walking on them ‘most of the time’.
Hello I have 2-4 week old pug puppies. they both are swimmers, one more than the other. I think because there are only two in the litter they are overweight and not walking. could you please explain in more detail how you put the puppy in the pillow case? I don’t understand the method or the reasoning behind it. thank you!
Hi Maureen. Putting a puppy in a pillow case simply allows the puppy to ‘curl’ and means they don’t lie flat on their chest. Hope that helps.
Hi there, ive presently have a 3 wk old female miniature Schnauzer who displays swimmers in both front and back legs. Her chest is so flat and her ribs are obviously not properly formed.
Im always checking for areas that may be of discomfort or pain to her. She’s not showing signs of pain. I can tuck her hind legs under her, though once she starts to move, they go back out and up in the air. I’ve seen your approach with the electrical tape with regards to her front paws, though what would you recommend for the hind ones?
Is there a position I should be trying to get her in when sleeping?
Ill do anything to help this baby girl get better, just need some guidance as this is my first puppy with swimmers.
Thank you!
Hi Sarah. Yes, you can try the electrical tape to her hind legs. You want to get her sleeping on her side – not flat on her chest. Good luck.
Any advice on working with a 6 month old puppy with swimmers syndrome? I adopted her and she was not worked with soon enough by the original shelter that had her. She was taken in by a rescue that did a lot of work with her so now she stands, but still swims or hops like a seal when she runs or walks quickly.
Hello, I have an almost 6 weeks pugs, and I am so sad for just realize and knew about the swimmer puppy syndrome and to know that one of my puppy have the syndrome.
She learned to walk around 5week of age but her chest is still flat and her legs a bit open than normal.
Do you think is still possible to fix her with you method or is too late for her?
Hi Ari. If your puppies are already walking they should continue to get better. The biggest problem is swimmer puppies not learning to walk, so your pup has already passed that hurdle.
Hello there!
I’m pretty sure we have a puppy with the beginnings of swimmers syndrome. She is 2 weeks and has a very flat chest and is showing signs of difficulty walking. Besides taping the legs, and making sure she’s not sleeping on her stomach is there anything else I should be doing? Should I keep her legs taped at night or concentrate on fixing it during the daytime hours and let her have a break at night? There are only 2 pups and they are both quite large which is why I believe this has developed.
Thanks!
Make sure your bedding is high-traction – like vet bed, and definitely not newspaper. This bedding should be in there 24/7 until she’s walking properly.
Taping her legs and flipping her onto her side are fine for you just to do as you can during the day. I sometimes will tape legs last thing at night knowing the bitch is likely to pull the tape off by morning.
I have boston terrier/ french bulldog mix puppies..litter of 6.. they are 3 weeks and 3 days old. All but 6 are moving around good. 1 little guy isnt so much. Using from legs and the front legs are under him. But not using back legs and not sitting up with legs under him. Is this swimming syndrome? Concerned and not sure if I should be.
It sounds like swimmers to some extent. I would try some of the idea heres as they shouldn’t hurt if it’s not swimmers.
I have a swimmer corgi and need help as I want to save her! Do I handcuff both front and back legs?
Hello
I have a litter of 4 days old puppy. The one that born the smallest was worrying me a lot as his hind legs are not working as well as the rest of the puppies. I googled it and definitely looks like a swimmer puppy. From today I am trying to use pillow case. But I not sure how long and how many times a day I should be putting him in. How quickly I can start using a handcuffs? Is it okay to use them on such a young puppy?
Hi Natalia. You can use the pillow case for as long as the puppy and the bitch do not get distressed – and the puppy doesn’t get cold or hungry. You can use handcuffs. Even a small amount of time in the pillow case or with handcuffs should see some difference in the puppy. Also, the bedding needs to be great, high-traction bedding. Hope that helps.
Thank you do much for replay
Thank you! I had a two week old runt of the litter swimmer pup and your website is the only one I could get useful information from. I have been hobbling his front legs and using the pillowcase 2-3 hours a day with a heating pad to keep him warm. It’s been three days and I can already see a huge improvement. Your pictures and descriptions were perfect! Again thanks for helping me save my puppy!
So glad I could help, Amanda! Good luck with your puppy.
I have 41/2 week old scottie pups. First one is walking but ocasionally puts one hind legs out to side and walks using front legs , second puppy does not put hind legs under herself at all she pullls herself along on front legs. I’m concerned they’re swimmers
They ( as a breed) tend to have short legs. I’ve tried taping them but then they just don’t move at all. Please help.
Hi Angela. I would make sure the puppies have excellent, high-traction bedding. I’m not sure what you are describing entirely describes a swimmer puppy (unless the front legs are moving out to the side, instead of under the puppy’s body) and would recommend seeking vet advice. Good luck!
Greetings! I am a 2nd year vet student helping out a client/breeder who is dealing with multiple family crisis. I received a severe swimmer English Bulldog puppy at 6 weeks. All 4 limbs were affected and his chest was so wide and flat. I’ve been doing range of motion physiotherapy, massages, and coaxing him to walk between 2 4x4s on a yoga mat for traction. At 8 weeks now, he’s up and walking on his backlegs somewhat normally. His chest is no longer flat, but his front legs are slow going. His elbows were pointed towards the ceiling; almost 90 degrees rotated. They are horizontal out to the sides now, with his forearms pointed inwards, and front paws splayed outwards. He can pull himself on his wrists, and finally push his front up a tad, but his paws are not what is weight bearing. Slinging helped with the back legs, but I can’t really get his paws under him well for the front to bear weight at all in the sling. Any suggestions as to what I can do more for his front? Or just keep persistently bending gently, massaging, stretching, and cycling?
Hi Angela,
It’s great you’ve seen some improvement for his back legs.
I would keep doing the gentle physio, including taping (‘hand cuffs’) for the front legs to gently pull them closer together.
Good luck.
Do you have any ways to help out a puppy who have difficulties of lifting its head up?
He also have swimmer puppy syndrome and I find your strategies working. Thought he has now difficulties with lifting his neck.. when he walks around his head is facing downwards, when I try to lift his head up its as if there is no supportive bone to help his head up. I’m worried that once he grows up he’ll look like those abnormal dogs. I have to help his head up to drink milk from his mother..
Hi Christian. Sorry, I’ve never encountered that problem. What has your vet suggested?
Hi we had a litter of English Bulldogs and one pups back legs are turned out. We’ve taped swimmers legs before and had great results but the puppies were a litter older. This pup is under a week old still. I’ve been stretching them and doing some movements with her while nursing and its helping already. I would like to tape them but wonder if shes too young still. Think I should wait till she is 2 or 3 weeks old before taping?
Thanks!
Hi Sabrina. It sounds more like your puppy has twisted legs than swimmers. I think your exercising should help. Provide high-traction bedding and gently turn the legs into the desired position as often as possible.