Every swim season I get a lot of questions about dogs and above ground pools. For some, their canine pets are a big part of the family and they want them to experience everything the family experiences. If they go on vacation, the dog comes along. If they have a cookout, the dog eats some barbeque. Outdoor concert? The dog goes too. So with so much puppy love going on in the world, it’s no wonder that owners want their pets to swim with them in their new above ground pool. Below is some info on the topic.
Biggest Question First – Will My Dog Damage My Pool?
This is by far the most common question I get from dog owners.
The answer – probably not.
How’s that for an answer to get you to keep reading? There is really only one way for a dog to damage your above ground pool while he enjoys a splash. And, the damage can be prevented with a little training. So, don’t fret, because Fido and the pool will be fine.
It’s not a coincidence that it’s called “doggy-paddle”
Most dogs can swim and those that don’t know how usually learn pretty easily (unless you try to teach them the backstroke). Anyway, dogs swim in only one style. They do what is called the doggy-paddle. When they doggy-paddle, they use their front paws and their hind legs. Now, an above ground pool has a vinyl liner on the sides and bottom to contain the water inside. In short, the vinyl could get damaged if the dog’s paws stroke against it a lot. In other words, if your pet doggy-paddles directly against the side of the pool wall where the vinyl is, his nails can scratch the material and cause a tear. Ouch.
Most people can teach their dog not to scratch his paws against the pool wall. Some can even teach the smarter dogs not to place their paws on the top rail of the pool. Dogs will really only want to go near the edge of the pool if they are getting tired of paddling or just want to be still in the water. Thus, I want to make a good suggestion.
Have a Landing Or Resting Spot For Your Dog
So you have a dog that loves the water. He has fun being in the pool with the family doggy-paddling around and occasionally barking at the splashes. Eventually though, your canine pet will get tired while he’s in the water and will need to rest. Surely he’ll rest where he can by putting his front paws on your shoulders or on a float or something and that will be fine. However, if there were a place where he could always take a rest, it would be better. The top rungs of a basic A-frame Ladder in the pool will provide a good place for your dog to rest. There is something better, though. Get Steps For Your Above Ground Pool instead.
Getting steps for the inside of your pool will cost more than a basic ladder and will take up more of the swim area, but it is well worth it if you plan on swimming with (enter your dog’s name here). A good set of wide or wedding cake type pool steps provides a much bigger landing/resting area for your dog. Wide steps will also make it much easier for your dog to get in and out of the pool by himself which will make him happier and less stressed. Over the years I’ve seen some creative homemade landing areas for above ground pools. So, if you want to be creative and make something better, go for it.
Will The Water Hurt My Dog in Some Way?
Generally speaking, swimming pool water should not harm your pet. This is as long as your water is clear, balanced and healthy. All bets are off if your pool is green and nasty, though. So, don’t let your dog swim in a pool that you wouldn’t swim in, and all will be good.
Like a human, a dog is a land animal so prolonged soaking in the pool can cause some skin issues. However, this is really rare. Excessive exposure to chlorine can cause skin to dry out and too low pH levels in a pool can cause skin irritation, but again this is only under extreme conditions and is very rare. A dog should be less sensitive to water conditions than people. So, as long as you are OK swimming in your pool, it is safe for your prized pooch to swim too.
Does My Dog Affect My Pool’s Filter?
Depending on what breed of dog you have, it can make a difference on your pool’s filter. It’s all about how much hair they shed. All dogs shed (unless you have one of those weird looking hairless dogs). Dog hair will be collected by the filter without any issues and will be cleaned out with all the other large debris when you do maintenance. You may have to clean your filter more often though. Pool owners with three sheepdogs will definitely have to clean their filter more than someone with only one trolling chihuahua. There are extreme situations. I used to maintain a pool where the owner would bath and wash all five of her large dogs in her swimming pool often. The shampoo, dirt and hair that this produced made it much harder to maintain clear healthy water. So, keep in mind that there are limits.
So that’s it. You have a green light for letting your dog swim in your above ground swimming pool. This is good as most dogs love the water. And they are, after all, part of the family.
If you liked this article then make sure to sign up for Blog and get our Free 128 Page Pool Care Guide.
Leave a Reply