Have you considered purchasing your dog a canine life jacket? I have a black lab and she loves going to the beach and playing in the water. I've noticed that as she gets older she gets tired fairly easily while swimming, and I can't imagine trying to save her. So I have researched many canine life preservers before I purchased one. I purchased one from Amazon, it was here in two days, I have to admit my dog seem to accept wearing it quite easily.