If you have an in ground pool, do you ever let your dogs swim?

[goofy4tink]

It's really hard to keep the sporting dogs out of pools. I know our golden loves to swim in the neighbors concrete pool. BUT...if you do let them swim, remember to hose them off with fresh water after the swim. The pool water can be very irritating to their skin....even if kept at the absolute correct ph..which most aren't.

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

Our standard Poodle, Bizet, *loves* swimming in our above-ground pool:

At first, we were a little worried about him possibly scratching/tearing the liner, but he learned in about 2 tries how to get in and out using the stairs! Good dog!

Swimming is an excellent exercise for any dog who likes it; especially older ones who are starting to get joint problems.

I don't believe that dogs are any more sensitive to chlorine than people, so if the levels are safe for you and your kids, they're safe for the dog. I also don't see how one dog could throw off the pH of an entire pool....

 

[CPT Tripss]

I don't know if I will intentionally let them, but yesterday I was in the pool cleaning a bit, when my big ole yellow lab decided to come in for a swim. It's a concrete pool, so I don't have liner issues. Still, I'm not sure I want her swimming.

Not let a Lab swim? That's animal abuse.

 

[FredinFL]

Aw, let the puppy swim. I bet the pool guy just doesn't like cleaning dog hair out of the filter.

If you would like to let your dog swim, but are worried about the chlorine (tho why it would bother them anymore than it does us, I don't know) I suggest you switch to the salt water filtration. We did and it's the BEST! No more faded suits, no more straw hair, no more red eyes. It's the awesome.

 

[Jeniferdwn]

We have tried to get our mutt to swim to cool off during the summer, but if we come outside with a swim suit or bucket (like we're gonna wash him) he runs and hides in a spot where we can't reach him. Our old chi didn't like it too much, and we're hoping our little chi will like it this summer. She wasn't fond of her first bath, but she'll probably follow the kids into the pool.

 

[budmonster]

Our standard Poodle, Bizet, *loves* swimming in our above-ground pool:

I don't believe that dogs are any more sensitive to chlorine than people, so if the levels are safe for you and your kids, they're safe for the dog. I also don't see how one dog could throw off the pH of an entire pool....

He is just adorable!!!

I was thinking the same thing about the chlorine and dogs comment... Never heard that one before.

Aw, let the puppy swim. I bet the pool guy just doesn't like cleaning dog hair out of the filter.

If you would like to let your dog swim, but are worried about the chlorine (tho why it would bother them anymore than it does us, I don't know) I suggest you switch to the salt water filtration. We did and it's the BEST! No more faded suits, no more straw hair, no more red eyes. It's the awesome.

FredinFL I'm right there with you, we have the salt water filtration system and I just love it. Not only is it great for the kids skin, hair, eyes but evidently it's better for the dogs to swim in also. lol

The only problem I've had so far is with my chocolate lab, because he's a blockhead, his ears (because of the way they lay) seem to get water in them more that his sister, so he's prone to ear infections. So to be on the safe side he gets a good ear cleaning with something we got from the vet after every swim.

I'm no expert but I think letting your dog get in the pool would be a great way for him to get some exercise. It doesn't give them that high impact they get with running which in return is better for their hips.

 

[PirateSnowmen]

We have a cocker spaniel who is deathly afraid of water
We tried to get him to swim in the pool after we first got him (he was a puppy), but when we put him in the water he swam directly to the steps and got out. He actually fell in the pool once when he was running by, but he was out of the pool as quickly as he fell in. Now he won't come anywhere near the pool (and it's been about 5 years since he fell in).

Our lab/golden mix loved water, but by the time we moved to the house with the pool, his arthritis was bad enough in his hips that he couldn't climb in and out of the pool, and he was much too heavy to lift in and out. So, he never got to swim.

 

[princesshannahsmom]

When we lived in New Port Richey, we had an inground pool and so did my inlaws, our German Shepherds swam ALL THE TIME!! They loved it! My little Pekingese also liked to get in the pool, BUT only on a float!

Give them a good rinse after getting out, dry out their ears real well and they should be fine. We had a pool guy who did our cleaning and chemicals and there was NEVER anything wrong with the Ph in our pools and he didn't have a problem with the dogs swimming in the pool either.