UA-60701407-50 Pool Safety Tips for Dogs - Golden Daily Scoop

July 17, 2014

Pool Safety Tips for Dogs

We are smack dab in the middle of the dog days of summer. Here in the Northeast we only have a few short months of hot and sticky weather so we like to get in as much swimming and use of the pool as we can before it's closed for the Fall and Winter.

It is believed that thousands of pets die from drowning incidents every year but because most incidents are unreported, no real numbers are known.
So we only think it's appropriate to share some tips for keeping your dogs safe in and around pools this summer.


1. Know Your Dog

Only you know your dog, if he doesn't listen or come when called, chances are he's not going to listen to you in the water. So work on that discipline first before getting into the pool or enlist in the help of a trained professional.

Not every dog knows how to swim or likes the water. Never just throw your dog into a pool thinking they can/will swim. Slowly introduce them to the water.

2. Supervise

Just like a child, NEVER leave your dog unattended in or around the pool. They now have pool alarm systems that float in your pool and alert you when there is a disturbance in the water. If you're unable to supervise your pet that spends most of it's time in the backyard then invest in a pool fence with a secure gate.

Your dog may like the water but may not be a good swimmer. Think about purchasing a dog life jacket to help them and you feel more secure. Again, never leave them unattended while wearing one. 

3. Just Say No

Don't let your dog drink the pool water. The chemicals and chlorine can make your dog sick. No one wants un upset belly in the summer!!

4. Exit Properly

Once they have the swimming part down, it is a good idea to show them how to exit the pool properly via stairs or ladder. The ladder may take some skill but eventually they will get it. 

If a dog falls or jumps in the pool they need to know where and how to exit, if they don't they will panic and be at risk for drowning. 

5. Rinse and Dry

Once they are done swimming it is best to rinse them down with the hose to get out all those chemicals. Mostly importantly,  dry them thoroughly (don't forget about the ears) to reduce the risk for hot spots.

By keeping these simple tips in mind you can be rest assured in having a safe and fun summer with your dog!

Does your dog like to swim? If so, do they swim in a pool, lake or ocean?

16 comments:

  1. Bailey got shoved into the pool by his Golden cousins and has never liked water since. It can be very chaotic when you have dogs, kids, and adults in what can be a small land area if the pool is fully fenced and you have furniture in the area. If I had to do it again, I'd have left him at home.

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  2. All good tips! We had a back yard pool but decided to fill it in last year when Sam started to get wobbly. Now Monty and Harlow have a wonderfully large yard to play in, and I don't have to worry about the pool. :)

    Monty and Harlow

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  3. I dislike swimming but I have been taught proper pool exit techniques just in case I fall in or something. These are great safety tips for those who like to swim!
    Oz

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  5. Thankfully, Chewy doesn't venture far from the shore if I am not in the water. But it also means if I throw his toy too far, I have to swim out to it with him!

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  6. We don't have a pool, but we are careful at the beach!

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  7. Good tips. Ruckus has never been in the pool. Always important to share with others now that summer is in session!

    Happy Thoughtless Thursday, Ruckus the Eskie

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  8. What great advice!!
    Smileys!
    Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

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  9. Lottie loves her paddling pool at home but put her near deep water and she won't go anywhere near it. I have always respected her wishes that she isn't so keen on swimming and found something she does like to do instead.

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  10. Great tips! Super impawtant!! Thanks for sharing :)
    Thanks for linking up to thoughtless thursday too!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

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  11. Great tips! Atka loves swimming, but he hasn't done it very much so we have to be really careful with him. Mauja doesn't go deep enough to have to swim ;)

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  12. Toby doesn't like the water and we don't have a pool, but reading your tips made me aware of the thought that goes into letting dogs into the pool. Our neighbors have a new pool and their Golden uses it every day. I hope they know about rinsing him and drying his ears.

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  13. Our Lucy wades in creeks and near the lake but will not go in far enough to swim. Our dogs have all been swimmers except for her.

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  14. Those are excellent tips. Brown dawgs love to swim!

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  15. Good tips. We don't have a pool, but one never knows what might happen in the future.

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  16. Great tips ... we do not have a pool now but we have and the dogs do not care for it. They prefer to swim in water they can walk into.

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