When you have a pet, one of the most important things is to keep them safe and out of harm’s way.
If you have a pool, it’s essential to make sure you take precautions to keep your dog out of it.
When it comes to how to keep your dog out of the pool, an above-ground fence or an invisible fence are your best bet.
There are other options that could do the job, however, fences seem to be the most full-proof option available to make it near impossible for your pet to get to your pool.
The Dangers of Pools for Your Pets
There are many dangers that come along with pools, and a lot of these dangers could also be life-threatening for your dog.
Some of the dangers are:
- Drowning
- Intoxication from water
- Skin irritation
- Chemicals
These are some very serious dangers that come along with pools that could very seriously harm your dog if they were to get access to your pool or pool products.
Drowning
This danger is pretty self-explanatory and can be life-threatening if your dog were to jump in your pool.
It is never right to assume that all dogs can swim because a lot of dogs actually do not know how to swim effectively, making a pool life-threatening to a dog.
Intoxication from Water
Intoxication from water can actually be pretty serious for a dog.
Intoxication is caused when too much pool water is swallowed causing the sodium levels in your dog’s blood to be diluted too much.
This is not a very common issue. However, when it does happen, if not treated quickly, it can be life-threatening.
It is also possible for your dog to get salt poisoning if they swallow too much pool water.
Skin Irritation
If your dog were to jump in the pool, the chemicals could cause your dog to become red, itchy, or even give your dog flaky skin.
This is not a life-threatening issue, however, it will be more annoying and uncomfortable for your dog as it will become very itchy.
Chemicals
If your dog has access to your pool, it is likely that your pool products are also nearby.
If that is the case and your dog got ahold of your cleaning products like the chemicals you put in your pool, it could very well poison your dog.
How to Dog Proof Your Pool
When it comes to keeping your dog out of your pool, there are many different methods.
Some different methods are:
- Invisible fence
- Above ground fence
- Train them to stay away
- Get a pool cover
- Keep an eye on them
Let’s weigh our options below.
Invisible Fence
A do it yourself invisible fence is possibly the best option available, and the easiest to install.
It is also a great option if your neighborhood prohibits the building of an above-ground fence.
However, if your dog has a high prey drive they could run through the fence, making the fence pretty useless.
These fences are recommended for dogs that are easily trainable and that listen well.
With an invisible fence, it is also important to do tests to make sure the fence is working properly before you rely on it.
You’ll also need to know how to find a break in an invisible fence if something does go wrong.
Above-Ground Fence
An above-ground fence would be a great option if your neighborhood allows it.
You could simply just build a fence around your pool rather than your whole yard.
Then your dog will have no access to the pool or any pool cleaning products.
Train them to Stay Away
If your dog is a very trainable dog and tends to listen to your commands very well, you could easily train the dog to stay away from the pool.
A good way to train your dog to stay out of the pool area is to create a boundary line with anything you can find that is noticeable.
Once the dog crosses that line tell them no, if they don’t cross it reward them with a treat.
Keep doing this over and over to teach them that they cannot cross the boundary. Repetition is key.
Get a Pool Cover
Pool covers could be a great option if you are looking for something cheaper.
However, pool covers will prove to be more inconvenient for you as you will have to remove them every time you would like to swim.
A pool cover also will not prevent your dog from jumping in with you while you are swimming in the same way as an above-ground or invisible fence would.
Keep an Eye on Your Pet
Another way to prevent your dog from getting into your pool is by keeping an eye on them every time they are outside.
If your dog likes being outside, though, this could be very time-consuming for you to have to watch them all the time.
All of these options can be great depending on your dog and how obedient they are, but fences seem to be the best option available to ensure they cannot get in.
On Invisible Fences and Pools
The good news is, when it comes to most invisible fence brands, the collar is waterproof. However, the transmitter is not.
This means that the invisible fences transmitter needs to be kept in a dry area permanently, whereas the collar is able to be worn in water without causing any damage.
This is great because if by chance your dog were to get into the water with the collar on, the collar would not break or shock your dog at all.
Here is a youtube video showing how to keep your dog out of the pool with an invisible fence:
Disclaimer
Before opting for an invisible fence, we strongly recommend obedience training and taking the time to understand and carry out the process.
Training your dog can prevent the potential stress of an invisible fence collar, and focuses on positive cues to reinforce boundaries.
While invisible fence collars aren’t physically painful, for certain dogs they can cause potentially severe emotional distress without the proper training.
Brain training techniques are a science-backed way to help prepare your dog for new boundaries without the use of force or dominance!
How Close Can my Invisible Fence Be to Water?
When dealing with in-ground invisible fences you may be wondering if the wire can be installed in water.
As crazy as it sounds, if you’re using an in-ground wired invisible fence, the wires are actually able to be placed in water.
If it is a high-quality wire, the wire itself is able to withstand water. If it is not a high-quality wire, you are putting it at the risk of deteriorating quicker.
You can also take extra precautions and put the wire in a PVC pipe to protect it from water altogether.
The only thing that cannot be wet is the transmitter. So, lucky for you, you can install the invisible fence wire as close to your pool as you want.
The Best Invisible Fences with Waterproof Collars
One of the best and most well-known invisible fence brands is PetSafe fences. All of these fences come with waterproof collars.
Some of the best fences are:
PetSafe has a lot of great in-ground and wireless invisible fence options that all have waterproof collars.
Conclusion
Pools can be extremely dangerous for dogs, which is why it’s so important to take precautions.
Do your research, and find the best method that works for you and the rules of your neighborhood.
