One of the first considerations when building a new swimming pool is how your furry friend will do once the pool is filled with water. Some breeds, such as the poodle and Labrador retriever, are natural swimmers and require small amounts of training to guide them to where to enter and exit the pool. Other breeds aren’t as strong of swimmers, and you may want to take into consideration as you prepare for a new pool.
Teaching Your Dog to Swim
A first line of protection is ensuring that your dog knows how to swim and what to do if they were to fall into the pool. There are many resources online and on youtube to show the basics of teaching your dog to swim. The general steps are to safely lead your dog into the pool, work with them as they learn to paddle to stay afloat, show them where to exit the pool, and practice/reinforce their training regularly.
A Gate or Barrier
A gate or barrier surrounding your pool doesn’t just keep little humans safe, it can help your puppy too. Especially for smaller dogs that don’t need a high gate or barrier to keep them from falling into the pool. Barriers can be designed to fit your pool specifically which ensures it doesn’t get into the way of your yard space yet protects your little ones from the pool.
A Doggy Life Vest
Swimming can be exhausting to dogs that are good swimmers and those that aren’t. By getting a good fitting life vest it ensures your puppy stays above water and relieves the stress of swimming for long periods of time. There are a lot of dog life vest options available and training your dog to wear one shouldn’t be too much of a hassle if they are already used to harnesses.
These tips and tools can help ensure your puppy stays safe as you add a new pool or spa to your backyard. Have more questions? Our team has dogs of their own and can help answer any questions as you consider getting a pool or spa.
