Dog owners told to ‘look before you leap’ as water rescues rise

Nearly three-quarters of dog owners would enter dangerous water to save their dog, new Royal Kennel Club research has found, as the lifeboat charity it has partnered with reports more dog rescues in October than in August. For working-dog owners heading to the foreshore, the flightpond and the riverbank this autumn, the two organisations’ message is blunt: look before you leap.

What does the research show?

In the survey of 2,000 UK adults, conducted by Censuswide, 74% of dog owners said they would enter the water after their dog even if it put their own safety at risk; 23% have already done so and a further 51% say they would. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) launched to 167 dogs in 2025 alone, and in recent years October has averaged more dog rescues than August.

The research also exposes misconceptions about dogs in water. Almost a third of Britons, 31%, believe all dogs naturally know how to swim, while 38% believe some breeds can and others cannot. The Royal Kennel Club (RKC) warns that not every dog will instinctively swim or feel comfortable in water, and that a dog’s first experiences of water matter: owners should never force a reluctant or distressed dog in.

Exposure is high: 49% of owners take their dog somewhere with open water at least once a month, and 36% of those say their dog enters the water every time or most of the time.

What should you do if your dog gets into trouble?

The advice is counter-intuitive for anyone whose instinct is to go straight in. Do not enter the water, and never enter the sea after your dog. Move to a place the dog can safely reach and call it; most dogs find their own way out. If the dog cannot get out, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard.

Jannine Edgar, chief executive of the Royal Kennel Club, said: “As dog owners, we have a responsibility to understand our dogs as individuals and to think ahead about the environments we take them into. While many dogs enjoy swimming, it shouldn’t be assumed that every dog will instinctively know how to swim or feel confident in the water.”

Kate Eardley, the RNLI’s head of global drowning prevention, said: “We understand it is incredibly upsetting to see your dog in distress. However, please do not enter the sea to go after your dog. If you move to a place where your dog can safely get to and call them, they will often find their own way out of the water. Our lifeboat crews will always launch to your beloved pets, and we ask that you prioritise your safety in this situation.”

What happens next?

The Look Before You Leap campaign runs through the autumn. Before the season’s water work begins in earnest, check your dog is confident in calm, shallow water first; keep dogs on a lead near cliff edges and fast rivers; weigh up temperature, currents, underwater hazards, steep banks and blue-green algae before letting a dog in; and if you end up in the water yourself, float to live: tilt your head back, control your breathing and move your hands and legs to stay afloat.