Dog Hydrotherapy and Swimming for Senior Dogs: A Montreal Guide
As dogs age, walks get shorter and stairs get harder. Swimming lets them move freely again, without pounding on sore joints. Here is how water exercise helps senior dogs and dogs in recovery, how a private session at Yoda’s Splash works, and how to start safely with your vet’s advice.
The Paw CrewOctober 11, 20266 min read
01Why water helps aging joints
In water, your dog’s body floats. Joints carry much less weight than on land, so a dog with stiff hips or elbows can move through a full range of motion with less pain. At the same time, the water resists every stroke, so muscles get stronger.
- Low-impact exercise that keeps muscles strong and joints moving
- Helps maintain a healthy weight, which takes pressure off sore joints
- Warm water relaxes stiff muscles
- Mental stimulation and confidence, especially for dogs who can’t run like they used to
Hydrotherapy is also used in rehabilitation, where a vet or a canine rehabilitation therapist plans the exercises. At Yoda’s Splash, you swim with your dog in a private pool, following the guidance your vet gives you.
02Which dogs benefit most
- Senior dogs who are slowing down on walks
- Dogs with arthritis, hip dysplasia or joint pain
- Dogs recovering from surgery or injury, such as ACL surgery, once their vet says they can swim
- Overweight dogs who need exercise that is easy on the joints
- High-energy dogs, puppies and first-time swimmers, and anxious dogs who do better in a private space
03What a private session at Yoda’s Splash looks like
Yoda’s Splash is on the ground floor of Doggieville MTL, at 3824 Rue Saint-Patrick. The pool is indoors, heated and UV-filtered, and the whole pool room is heated, so it is open 365 days a year, even at −30 °C outside.
- The pool is private for your session: just you and your dog
- You swim with your dog (up to 2 people for 30 minutes, up to 3 people for 1 hour)
- A life jacket sized for any breed, pool toys and towels are included
- A self-serve drying station for your dog and a shower for you
- Staff on hand during every session
04Tips for a safe first swim
- No food for 2 hours before swimming, and wait 1 hour after
- Take a potty break before getting in
- Trim nails and brush the coat before the session
- Postpone if your dog has diarrhea, an open wound or an infection
- Wear non-slip footwear around the pool
- Start with short sessions and stop before your dog gets tired: seniors tire faster than they let on
05Prices and packs
- 30-minute private session: $60 (1 dog and up to 2 people)
- 1-hour private session: $75 (1 dog and up to 3 people)
- PawCamp Express: 4 × 30 minutes for $220, or 4 × 1 hour for $280
- Iron Doggie: 10 × 30 minutes for $500, or 10 × 1 hour for $680
- Second dog of the same family: 30% off. Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice are charged in full
Regular sessions give the best results, and the packs make 1 to 3 swims a week affordable. Ask your vet what rhythm suits your dog.
Dog hydrotherapy FAQ
Written by
The Paw Crew
The Paw Crew is the team that cares for every dog at Doggieville MTL: boarding, daycare, grooming and pool staff who are First Aid certified and spend every day with dogs of all sizes and ages.
Meet the team behind Doggieville MTL
