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Pups And Pools: How To Keep Your Dog Safe This Summer

keep dogs safe

If you’re a homeowner with an inground pool, you’ve probably been eagerly waiting for summer all year so that you can finally open it up. Now that it’s open, however, you may be facing the challenge of an inquisitive pup wanting to test the water. While you may be inclined to indulge your dog’s interest, you know that you need to be safe while doing so.

There are several things to know when you acquaint your dog with swimming or want to keep them out of the water if the introduction doesn’t go well. Let’s dive into a few of these points and you’ll soon be able to throw the perfect pool party, pups included.

Teaching your dog to swim

The best way to keep your dog safe while the pool is open this summer is to ensure that they know how to swim. Many people may think that a dog will naturally know how to swim once they’re in the water, but that’s not true for all breeds. If you’re uncomfortable with taking on the task of teaching your dog to swim, hire a professional dog trainer. They’ll know how to handle any fears your dog has about water and teach them the basics.

If you’re ready to train your dog yourself, the American Kennel Club has some tips. You’ll start by carrying your dog into the pool, setting them gently in the water, and helping them swim to the steps. Once they make it to the steps, reward them and repeat this sequence several times. The goal is to make your dog view reaching the steps as a cause for celebration in the form of treats.

When your dog can make it to the steps easily, move on to guiding them lightly around the pool and to the steps. After a few times, most dogs will naturally aim for the steps. The final step is to teach your dog to reach the steps from anywhere in the pool. For this, you’ll simply put them in the water at different spots and guide them to the exit.

With this training, any dog should be able to make it to the steps in case they end up in the water and don’t want to be there. If you’re on vacation in a place like the California coastline or Mammoth Lakes — a region characterized by its lakes and streams — and your dog will be swimming in water with no manmade steps, you can assist them with canine life vests. No matter where you are, you should always supervise dogs when they’re around water to ensure they don’t run into trouble.

Consider fencing in your pool

Not all dogs will be able to swim. Whether it’s the restrictions of their breed, their age, or a disability they have, your dog might just not do well in water. It’s also possible that your dog spends a lot of time outside and you can’t supervise them all day. In these cases, it may be best to install a fence around your pool.

Be sure that this fence is high enough that your dog can’t jump over it. If you’re worried about the look of a high fence, consider investing in professional landscaping for your backyard. About 90% of real estate agents encourage homeowners to invest in landscaping before they sell their home anyways and some attractive greenery can go a long way in making a fenced-in pool look great. You can even go the hardscaping route with pathways or patios that help make the fenced-in pool a part of a larger entertaining space.

Fencing in your pool can also add value to your home that can come in handy. For instance, if you’re looking to take out a hard money loan against your home, the loan-to-value ratios of which are typically between 60% and 70%, an appraiser may look positively on this fence. Not only does it protect your furry friends, but it keeps children safe and this utility can reflect positively on an appraisal.

Is chlorine safe for dogs?

You’re wary of your dogs getting into household cleaning products. It’s natural that the idea of them swimming in chlorinated pools raises a few red flags. After all, those flags in recently fertilized lawns always warn to keep pets off of the grass because nitrogen fertilizer contains ammonia, one of the most commonly produced chemicals that in the world. However, the amount of ammonia in fertilizer differs from chlorine in pool water and it is completely safe for your pup to be in chlorinated water.

While consuming chlorine in large doses can be harmful to both dogs and human, the amount of chlorine in a well-maintained backyard pool is very diluted and doesn’t pose a threat.

Even if your dog starts drinking the pool water, there’s no need to panic as it won’t cause any serious issues. If you’re looking to minimize this chance anyways, you can reduce the use of chlorine by up to 90% by switching to an ozone sanitation system for your pool. This system won’t totally replace chlorine, but it will take away a significant amount and ease any worries you may have.

As you have some fun in the sun this summer, you don’t have to worry about your dog missing out. Whether you have a pup who loves being in the water or a furry friend that prefers to lounge outside of the pool, you can now keep them safe.

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