dog paddle

US /ˈdɑːɡ ˌpæd.əl/
UK /ˈdɑːɡ ˌpæd.əl/
"dog paddle" picture
1.

a simple swimming stroke in which the swimmer makes short, quick movements with the hands and feet, resembling a dog's swimming action

:
The child learned to dog paddle before mastering other strokes.
He could only dog paddle across the shallow end of the pool.
1.

to swim using the dog paddle stroke

:
Even though he was a beginner, he managed to dog paddle to the edge of the pool.
My little brother can only dog paddle, but he loves being in the water.