Do you want your dog to join you in the pool this summer? It’s a great way to beat the heat and spend more time together! We have tips on how to safely put your dog in the pool.
Is it worth introducing the dog to the pool?
Okay, first of all: is it OK to let a dog swim in your pool? The short answer is yes, if you’re careful.
Before you do anything, ask yourself if your dog wants to be in the water. Some dogs love water from the start, jumping headfirst into any body of water they see. Others are a little more reserved. Stocky and short-legged dogs may find it difficult to stay afloat, and some dogs are simply too scared to play in the water. A life jacket and good treats give them a great incentive to swim, but take into account their natural desire and ability to be in the water before you start swimming.
Then think about how your dog might affect your pool. As much as we love our dogs, the simple truth is that they are much dirtier than (most) people! They bring fur, dirty paws and possible bacteria with them to the pool. Fact: Only one dog can add as much stress to your pool filter as three people. You will need to be extra vigilant when cleaning the pool if your puppies swim regularly! You should also trim and file all long nails, as they can scratch the plastic or vinyl lining of the pool and even other swimmers during a vigorous dog stroke.
If you are ready to spend more time with a pool skimmer, and your dog is ready to dip his toes in the water, it’s time to teach the dog to swim!
How to teach a dog to swim in the pool
Start small. The goal is to make your dog comfortable in the shallowest part of your pool, which is usually the top step of the ladder. Sit down with them and have fun seducing them with treats, toys and praise. Teach them how to get in and out of the pool and repeat the process several times so they know where the exit is so they can get out whenever they want.
One step at a time-literally. Once your dog feels comfortable on the top step, invite her to move on to the next step, the next step, etc. If you have a small or short-legged dog that can’t reach the bottom after a step or two, you can instead hold her in your arms and let her swim comfortably as you progress along the water.
Imagine a dog paddle. When your dog reaches the limit of the depth of his paws, invite him to go a little further, which means that he should swim. Now is the perfect time to include a dog life jacket in the equation if your dog can use a little more buoyancy. Stay close to your dog so that you are ready to support her under her chest and stomach while she learns to row. If they forget to use their hind legs, pat them lightly to remind them of this.
Teach them all the exits from the pool. As soon as they learn to row comfortably, it’s time to teach them to go outside. Stay close to them in the water and ask your partner to call them to the exit until he is at the bottom. Repeat this process several times on different days, when they entered the pool from different places and at all exits, so that they always have an emergency exit.
Practical, practical, practical! Keep spending time in the pool in short sessions, repeat the workouts you’ve already done, and add new elements as they master swimming. Let them swim long distances or introduce them to water wellness games. Soon they’ll slap you in the pool!
Water Safety Tips for Dogs
- Never leave your dog unattended in the water.
- Keep the pool closed or closed so that your dog cannot walk in it unattended.
- Dog life jackets can be life-saving aids for poor swimmers and a useful safety device for strong swimmers.
- Make sure that the exits from the pool are always free of any obstacles, such as floats in the pool.
- Dogs can swim safely in chlorine pools, but you should wash the dog after bathing in the pool with clean water to prevent irritation of its skin and coat.
- Dogs can also swim in saltwater pools, and rinsing after bathing will help keep their fur soft.
- Dogs drink water from the pool, and sometimes a lot! Low levels of chlorine can’t finish dogs if they drink it with water, but too much water in the pool can cause stomach upset and serious complications.
- Always serve fresh water by the pool so that they have a place where they can drink a glass of salt water or water that does not contain chemicals.
- Low doses of pool chemicals diluted in water are safe for dogs, but pool chemicals should always be stored safely and securely away from prying noses
Making your dog comfortable and happy in the pool is an interesting summer activity! Soon you will have a companion for every day of visiting the backyard pool and in every dog-friendly pool you find on your travels. In fact, a quick search for “dog pool next to me” may well provide you with a weekend excursion.next weekend we invite you in advance.