Dogs and backyard pools

The danger in a pool is the wall, not the water. A dog that jumps or falls in swims for the nearest edge, finds vertical tile and coping, and paddles along it looking for a way up. The AKC's pool advice says dogs are not used to ladders and must be taught to use them, that a dog working new muscles tires quickly, and that a dog in trouble may be unable to bark for attention. VCA adds that even a regular swimmer can get into trouble if it cannot work out how to exit.

The second danger is the dog that seems fine afterward. Guidance on near-drowning from a veterinary emergency hospital group says a pet that recovers can develop complications 24 to 48 hours or more later, as fluid in the lungs leads to pneumonia and other problems, and that a dog that went under even briefly should be seen. Watch for coughing or gagging, fast or labored breathing, pale or blue gums, vomiting and unusual tiredness, and go to your vet or the nearest emergency hospital.

The AKC's view is that most dogs can swim safely in a properly maintained chlorinated pool and that the chlorine in the water is not usually the problem, though some dogs are more sensitive to pool chemicals than others. The hazard is concentrated chlorine. Tablets are the main risk and belong where a dog cannot reach them, and after a shock treatment the dog stays out until the water is back in its safe range. Bromine is generally considered safer for pets, at a higher cost.

Drinking is the next issue. A few laps of pool water are usually fine, but the AKC says to discourage it, because larger amounts can irritate the stomach and upset digestion; a bowl of fresh water at the pool's edge gives the dog a better option. After each swim, rinse the coat with fresh water and dry the ears. The AKC's swimming advice says most ear infections in floppy-eared dogs come from too much water and dampness.

Daycare gives a summer dog water without a deep end. The outdoor turf yard at 210 Eastern Ave has splash pools and platforms, and dogs play there in matched groups of 7 to 10 with our team watching, moving onto the indoor floors when the sun is high. A full day is $42 and a half day $33, after the free evaluation on a weekday morning between 6:30 and 9:30. With Gloucester's beaches closed to dogs from May 1 to September 30 at the time of writing, those pools are where plenty of Cape Ann dogs get wet in July.

What does not fit: swimming lessons are not on our service list, and a splash pool cannot teach the steps of the pool in your yard; that lesson happens at home. A dog that comes home from a chlorinated swim can have a bath from $55 by size, with no evaluation. For a dog that should not swim at all, a supervised treadmill session at $10 is steady, low-impact exercise; ask your vet first if the dog has a heart or joint condition. Our dog daycare page explains how the playgroups run.