Swimming Pools

[BlueNL6]

We just recently bought a new home with an in-ground swimming pool. While the pool is frozen over now we are worried come summer-time about keeping them from accidently falling in or drinking the water. My questions is, do any of you have in-ground pools and what do you use to keep the dogs away? We've been looking into getting an alarm or gate to surround the area.

[Chip's Mom]

You may want to watch with the pool frozen over also. My Chip walked across our little 3 x 5 ft pond while it was frozen over so we put a fence all the way around it. Looks funky but keeps Chip safe. Is your pool fenced? If not, I would highly recommend fencing all the way around and gate it too. We have an above ground pool and we have it closed off so there is no access unless you go through a gate.

[BlueNL6]

While it is closed, they can walk accross the cover all they want and it supports their weight, but during the summer it will probably only have the solar cover or remain uncovered

[darci]

So glad you responded Bonnie, I thought of you and Chip when I saw this thread.
It gives me cold chills up my spine thinking of the Chipster walking on the frozen pond.

[darci]

Originally Posted by BlueNL6

While it is closed, they can walk accross the cover all they want and it supports their weight, but during the summer it will probably only have the solar cover or remain uncovered

I would worry that if they tried to walk or jump in with the solar blanket on the might get tangled up and not be able to get out. Is that possible ?

Ours is above ground but closed off with gates so no way to it unless we take them out there. Ours dont love the water, the only way they will get in the pool is if we are in there and thats with a lot of coaxing.

[MrsGrace]

Ungated pools / only covered pools are a liability.

If someones precious dog or child is over visiting, it only takes a SECOND for said precious to drown.

Get a fence.

[corgimom]

I thought homeowners insurance companies required fencing around pools, especially inground ones - I may be wrong; or am just thinking of our state. I know most homeowners insurance policies will no longer cover people who own trampolines - even the enclosed ones because of injuries.

What did your homeowners say about the pool?

[Michael Romanos]

In New Zealand, all outdoor swimming pools in private properties must be fully and safely fenced off. But it is important to keep dogs from entering a swimming pool that contains chemicals such as chlorine.

[Dillydoodle]

I would get the fence too, my best childhood friend lost her 15 yr old schnauzer Gretchen,due to drowing- her dog lived in harmony with that inground pool her whole life, and when she got older her hearing and her eyesight weren't the best...she got disoriented and tried to walk across the cover and got half way across and somehow it was not properly secured and she fell in, and tried to get out but the cover and her age and bad eyesight left her swimming and getting caught up and she never made it....so I would definately look to getting a fence... better to be safe than sorry
Emilie

[Chip's Mom]

One other concern is if they are used to walking across it now with the cover on, once the cover is taken off you run an added risk of them falling in because they won't realize that it is water and dogs like children get to running and racing and anything is possible.

[tandemgal]

removed by T-Gal

[Chip's Mom]

No matter how many precautions you take if something is meant to happen, it does. I still worry some about our dogs getting in ours especially when they are little. We have our pool off the main deck down to a second deck with gate and our whole yard is fenced in but you just never know.

[Jespah]

I would have to agree with the fence option - an alarm will do no good unless there is someone there to respond to it. I know a fence would be the only way to keep Rupert and specially my first Corgi, Riley out - even then I think she would have figured a way to scale the fence!! She learned to swim in my neighbours pool and even in the dead of winter, if we walked past her house, she would try and drag me into her backyard for a swim!!

As you can see - she would leap right in!!!

[Chip's Mom]

Deb:

Those are excellent pics of Riley. The expression on her face is priceless and Rup too. He is a beautiful boy.