When temperatures soar, swimming pools can offer a cool reprieve for dogs. While some pups take to the water more easily than others, even expert swimmers can experience problems—in fact, it’s estimated that 4,000 dogs drown in pools each year. By practicing a few simple safety measures, you can prevent swimming pool accidents and lay the foundation for a fun-filled summer.
Know Your Dog
Some breeds, including Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers and Newfoundlands, naturally love water, says Jenn Fiendish, a veterinary behavior technician who runs Happy Power Behavior and Training in Portland, Oregon. “You’ll actually have a harder time keeping them out of the water than getting them in,” she says.
Not all breeds are natural-born swimmers, however. Hairless dogs, toy breeds, lanky breeds and dogs with short legs, snouts and coats aren’t known for their swimming abilities. “In some cases, the water can be dangerous due to their physical attributes,” says Fiendish.
Dogs are individuals, however. “There is more variation within a breed than between breeds,” says Dr. Victoria Cussen, director of anti-cruelty behavior research at the ASPCA. “Even if your dog is a water breed, they may still need some help learning about water and swimming.”
Take it Slow
Swimming pool introductions should always be on your dog’s terms. “The most important thing to remember is to never force your dog into water. Use of force creates fear, and fear is no fun for your dog, or you,” says Fiendish.
For dogs who aren’t naturals in the water, Fiendish recommends the slow approach. “Get on the very shallow steps,” she says. “A small amount of coaxing is okay. Definitely give your dog some treats when he shows interest in coming in.”
Once your dog is comfortable in shallow water, Cussen recommends using a toy to encourage him to swim deeper. “Tease your dog with it to increase his motivation to get the toy, and toss it further into the water,” she says. “You want to toss it far enough that your pup has to wade further out to get it, but not so far that they give up.”
One Step at a Time
Many dogs are hesitant about stairs—and pool stairs are especially challenging. There are techniques you can try, however, to help your dog overcome his fear. “Walk down the stairs beside your dog, or walk down the stairs first and call your dog to you,” suggests Cussen. “Most dogs want to be close to their owner and will follow you into the pool.”
You can also support your dog by placing an arm behind his front legs and an arm in front of his hind legs. “This allows you to keep your dog afloat while he gets his bearings and calms the frantic initial swimming reflex,” says Cussen.
Another option is using a ramp with a comfortable surface, like rubber, that mimics the gradual depth increase of a natural bank.
Consider a Life Vest
Regardless of your pet’s swimming ability, a dog life vest can be a valuable line of defense. Even strong swimmers can panic if they fall in a pool, especially if the water is cold.
Look for a vest that’s easy to put on, allows the dog to move freely and that has non-irritating straps or buckles, says Dr. Hyunmin Kim, veterinary staff manager at the ASPCA. Not all vests are created equal, so make sure yours has floatation pads on the sides, under the belly and across the back. Bright colors and reflective strips help with visibility, while sturdy handles will allow you to pull your dog out of the water quickly.
Secure Your Pool
You’ll need to restrict your dog’s access to the pool when you’re not there to supervise. “Just like with human children, a dog can accidentally get himself into a lot of danger when near a pool or body of water unattended,” says Fiendish.
Experts recommend installing a pool fence. “A fence around the pool is much safer than a pool cover, which a dog may fall through and become trapped under,” says Cussen. Another extra layer of security is a pool alarm, which alerts you when your dog has entered the pool.
Even with a pool alarm and fence, it’s a good idea to supervise your dog when he’s near the pool. “Remember that some dogs can jump a fence or even burrow underneath it and gain access to a pool,” says Kim.
Chlorine Safety
Chlorine poses the same risks to dogs that it does to people, says Dr. Liz Stelow, Chief of Service of Clinical Behavior Service at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at University of California, Davis. “It’s not ideal to ingest,” she explains. “It dries out skin and hair, and it can be harsh on airways if the concentration is high. But it does not pose any increased risk to dogs aside from the fact that they’re more likely than people to drink it.”
If your dog spends a lot of time in the pool, Fiendish recommends monitoring his skin and coat for any redness, dryness, scaling and peeling. “These can all be signs that they’ve been in the chlorine too much,” she says.
The biggest risks come from concentrated chlorine tablets, so it’s important to keep pool chemicals in a safe place that is inaccessible to pets.