Spring is near! What better way to celebrate and welcome the new season, then with a trip to the open water, the beach, the pool, and lake or river. For dog lovers who are lucky enough to own a boat or who are fortunate to be able to incorporate water with their active lifestyle, flotation life vests for us humans are a must. The same should apply for our four-legged family members. Some of the most common breeds such as Labs and Goldies were engineered to love the water, while other breeds like our two Shibas require a little persuasion. Regardless of what type of dog or dogs you own, if you love the water, your dogs will eventually love the water too.

Swimming comes natural for dogs - almost as natural as walking or running, and is a great form of exercise. Hydro-therapy has also been proven to greatly improve a dog's recovery from injury or anxiety, and you can't forget the resulting bond that is strengthened between you and your Pooch. Needless to say, the benefits of incorporating water into your dog's active lifestyle are well documented.

Your dog could be the Michael Phelps of the dog-swimming world, but you can never be too safe when it comes to water. Some pointers to keep in mind: Never leave your dog unattended around water, and always have your dog wear a vest if you and your family are planning on enjoying the water for an extended period of time.

The properties and technology behind popular dog life vests such as the EzyDog Seadog Flotation Vest or the Kurgo Surf N Turf Life Vest are for the most part, similar. Quality construction incorporating high-buoyancy materials such as foam or rubber, water-repelling materials like neoprene or nylon, and multi-functioning features such as carry handles or D-Rings.

These flotation apparatus are also ergonomically designed to fit dogs of all sizes, and allow for full range of motion when walking, running, or swimming. It's easy to find the right size for your dog. Your Pooch is fitted correctly if the vest spans the entire length of the back from the base of neck to the base of the tail. The vest should also wrap completely around the chest and belly, or have at least three attachment points on the underside of the life vest, not only to keep your Pooch comfortable, but also to ensure a safe and secure attachment that prevents your Pooch from slipping through the jacket.

Dog life vests like the Doggles Flotation Jacket take it one step further by adding a flotation pillow that conveniently and securely attaches to the underside of your dog's neck, which prevents your dog from dipping its head below the water surface.

If your pooch enjoys the water, keep them safe and get them a dog life vest. There are great brands to choose from in the market that are actually affordable, so finding one for your four-legged love one will be easy.