Pool Safety Tips that Can Save Your Dog's Life
Follow these pool safety tips as originally outlined by the Discovery Channel's Animal Planet, and you'll not only ensure a fun filled weekend for you and your family, but a safe holiday for your dog too.
#1 - Ease your dog into swimming. Not all dogs can swim naturally so never force your dog to swim or throw a dog in a pool. Forcing a dog to swim can cause trauma both physically and emotionally. Make swimming fun by allowing your dog to slowly acclimate to the pool. Sit by the edge with your feet in the water and pet your dog while he sits next to you. Let him smell the water from your hand and see how he reacts to the chlorine. If your dog doesn't like it, consider getting a doggy or kiddy pool and fill it up with fresh water.
#2 - Do not let your dog drink chlorinated water. Always provide fresh drinking water for your dog when he is outside as well as inside.
#3 - Buy a life jacket for your dog and make him wear it as he gets acclimated to the pool.
#4 - Show your dog where the steps are so he knows where to get out, or buy a Skamper-Ramp that the dog can use to climb out of the pool. Continue to show your dog where the stairs and/or ramp are several times even if he become a swimming pro. If he gets dizzy, he might forget so always keep an eye on your dog.
#5 - Buy an alarm system that will alert you if your dog goes into the pool. The Pool Center sells a Safety Turtle wristband that you can attach to your dog's collar. It's a great tool for dogs that are new to swimming.
#6 - Hose your dog with fresh water after swimming to get the chlorine off of his coat.
#7 - Apply sunscreen. Yes, dogs can get sunburn too - especially if they have light colored noses and fur, or have been recently shaved.
#8 - Watch your dog for signs of heatstroke. Read my article about heatstroke by clicking here. It could save your dog's life.
#9 - Make sure you provide a shaded area for your dog where he can relax after he swims. Or take him inside where it is nice and cool.
#10 - Put up a fence around the pool so your dog does not accidently fall in when you can't supervise him.
Published by Bobbi Leder
Bobbi Leder is the author of the picture book, THE SECRET POLICE DOG. Leder has been published with a variety of print and web-based magazines, websites, anthologies, and newspapers. View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentExcellent advise :)
My uncle threw their dog into the pool and the next morning on good morning America they talked about not throwing dogs into the pool. We looked it up on the internet and found out that we did everything wrong.
These are great tips. Thanks for sharing this very useful information.
Great tips. Our dog gets a sunburned nose sometimes if we don't put sunscreen on her.
This is great, Bobbi. I don't think a lot of people consider these things!
Great tips we had to teach one of our dogs to swim
I sure didn't know most of this stuff.
Great tips for keeping your dog safe around the pool. Most folks probably don't even consider that a dog may not be able to swim.