Anyone who has a pool and a dog has wondered if letting the dog into the pool is a good idea. Often, the dog will make up his mind for you by diving right in. Not all breeds enjoy pools, but if yours does, there are some ways to make it a safe experience for him and for you.
First of all, safety around pools is important even if you do not have dogs. Accidental drowning is a real danger, so you should never leave your pet near the pool without supervision. This is especially true if your dog has not yet been in the pool and may not understand how to get out when he gets tired.
The second thing to know is that there are some non-swimming breeds which you shouldn’t allow in pools. Some are not good swimmers because they have short legs, disproportionately large heads, or short faces, making it difficult to keep their nose above the waterline.
The other side of the coin is having a safe situation for you and your family. A dog can paddle very hard when swimming, and if they come up to someone in the pool, they can injure them without meaning to, generally by scratching them, but they can also drag them underwater. Again, supervision is key to safety in pools with pets present.
Finally, determine if your pool itself can stand up to the issues involved with having a dog in it. Be sure you have a strong pool that won’t be damaged by the dog’s nails and have a plan in place for clearing any pet hair from the pool promptly and adjusting the chemicals.
If you would like to know more about enjoying your pool with your four-legged family members or would like advice on upgrading to a better pool to do this, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Outside In Leisure Products. We’ll be happy to help you with pool chemicals and supplies, as well as toys you might want to make this time with your pets and family safe and special.