A dip in the backyard pool is one of the best ways for your dog to beat the summer heat, and for many dogs, there’s nothing more fun than chasing a ball into the water on a hot afternoon – but Pools come with real risks that aren’t always obvious, and every year dogs drown in preventable pool accidents.
The good news is that with the right training, supervision, and setup, your pool can be a safe and enjoyable place for the whole family, four-legged members included. This guide covers everything you need to know to keep your dog safe in, around, and near the pool this summer.
Not Every Dog Is a Natural Swimmer
One of the most common, and most dangerous, assumptions dog owners make is that all dogs can swim. They can’t.
Short-tailed breeds like Boxers, Bulldogs, and Pugs often struggle in the water. Dogs with dense muscles and large heads relative to their bodies (Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Basset Hounds, Dachshunds, and Pekingese) are not built for swimming. Even breeds that are generally comfortable in water can panic if they fall in unexpectedly or can’t find a way out.
No matter what breed you have, never assume your dog is safe around the pool unsupervised. Always keep an eye on your dog near the water, and lock your pool gates when your dog is left unattended.
Teaching Your Dog to Swim
If your dog hasn’t spent time in a pool before, don’t just toss them in and hope for the best. A bad first experience can create a lasting fear of water, and a panicking dog in deep water is a dog in real danger.
Start Slowly
Begin at the water’s edge. Offer treats and toys from the pool stairs or the shallow end, luring your dog closer until they’re willing to get their paws wet. If you have access to a kiddie pool, start there. Let your dog stand in a few inches of water and add more depth at each session until they’re comfortable.
If your dog goes to the edge but won’t get in, try calling them into your arms, or gently pick them up and bring them in with you. Do not proceed if you sense tension. If they remain calm, walk into the water with them, keeping their head above the waterline. Speak in a calm, confident voice to help them stay relaxed.
Never Force It
Never throw, push, or drop your dog into the water. Even dogs who are already experienced swimmers can be startled by a sudden plunge, and for inexperienced swimmers, it can create a serious and lasting water phobia. Let your dog enter the water on their own terms, or with gentle, calm guidance from you.
Teaching Your Dog to Exit the Pool
This is the most important pool safety lesson you can teach your dog. Dogs will instinctively try to exit water from the same point where they entered. This means a dog that falls into the deep end will swim to that wall and claw at it, unable to get out, until they exhaust themselves.
Teaching your dog where the steps are, and how to find them from anywhere in the pool, can save their life.
How to Teach It
- Attach a recall leash to your dog’s collar.
- Gently place your dog in the pool from the steps. They will instinctively turn around to exit from where they entered. Let them do this. Repeat several times until they understand: the steps are the way out.
- Progress to other areas of the pool. Once your dog reliably exits from the steps, gently place or guide them into the water from a different spot. Use the recall leash to guide them toward the step area, giving as little help as necessary.
- Practice from every side. Your dog needs to know how to find the exit from any point in the pool, not just from the spot nearest the stairs.
Even if your dog is a confident, experienced swimmer, refresh their memory of the step location at least every season . Dogs can forget, and a few minutes of practice could prevent a tragedy.
Teaching Poolside Behaviour
Being in the water safely is only half the equation. How your dog behaves around the pool is just as important as how they behave in it.
Start by Observing
Have a family member get in the pool while you watch your dog from the deck. You’ll quickly see which behaviours need work, and most dogs have at least one or two poolside habits that need addressing.
Common Poolside Issues
- Entering without permission. Your dog should learn that the pool is not a free-for-all. They should wait for your permission before jumping in, especially when children or guests are swimming.
- Barking and “lifeguarding.” Some dogs will bark, pace, chase swimmers along the edge, or even leap in uninvited when people are in the water. This is stressful for everyone, swimmers and the dog alike, and it often escalates if it’s not addressed.
- Boundaries. Not every pet parent wants their dog in or around the pool at all times, and that’s perfectly okay. Boundary training teaches your dog where they are and aren’t allowed to go, which keeps everyone safer and calmer.
If your dog struggles with any of these behaviours, a professional trainer can help you set clear expectations quickly and effectively.
Watch for Exhaustion
Some dogs will chase a ball or a Frisbee again and again until they nearly collapse. They’re not being stubborn or ignoring their own limits. They genuinely don’t understand exhaustion when they’re amped up by play.
On dry land, this is manageable because there’s always solid ground to lie down on. In water, exhaustion can be fatal. A tired dog can’t rest. They sink.
Watch for these signs:
- Flailing or slapping at the water instead of swimming smoothly
- Low body position: hind end dropping, head barely above water
- Reluctance to swim after a thrown toy
- Heavy panting that doesn’t slow down during breaks
Limit your dog’s time in the water and take regular breaks, even if they seem like they want to keep going. If you notice signs of exhaustion, end the session immediately and let your dog recover on dry ground in the shade.
Protect Paws and Skin
Hot Surfaces
Pool decks, patio stones, and concrete can get scorching hot in the summer sun. Dogs rely on the sweat glands in their paw pads to cool down, and walking on superheated surfaces can cause burns and make your dog more susceptible to heatstroke.
A quick test: place the back of your hand flat on the surface. If you cannot hold there for a count of 5, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws. Walk your dog on grass or shaded areas whenever possible, and provide a cool, shaded spot for them to rest near the pool.
Sunburn
Dogs can get sunburned, especially those with light-coloured or thin coats. The nose, ears, and belly are particularly vulnerable. Prolonged sun exposure can lead to skin cancer, just as it can in humans. Ask your veterinarian about pet-safe sunblock for sensitive areas.
Rinse Off After Every Swim
Chlorine dries out your dog’s skin and coat, leading to itching, flaking, and discomfort. Give your dog a thorough rinse with clean water after every swimming session.
This is especially important if your dog has been swimming in a lake, pond, or river. Natural water can harbour ear mites, bacteria, parasites, and insects that can embed themselves in your dog’s fur. A good rinse (and a check of their ears) after each swim helps prevent infections and skin irritation.
Use a Life Jacket in Deep or Open Water
If your dog joins you at the lake, on a boat, or in any deep or open water, a vet-approved canine life jacket is essential, even for strong swimmers. Waves, currents, cold water, and fatigue can overwhelm any dog without warning.
Choose a life jacket with a handle on the back so you can quickly lift your dog out of the water if needed. Before heading to open water, let your dog practise wearing, walking, and swimming in their life jacket in the pool first so they’re comfortable and confident before the stakes are higher.
Say No to Hot Tubs
Hot tubs may be great for humans, but they are not safe for dogs. Dogs can overheat quickly, and hot tub chemicals are concentrated at levels that can irritate skin, eyes, and airways. Keep your dog out of the hot tub entirely.
Your Pool Safety Checklist
Print this and post it where you’ll see it every day this summer:
- ☑ Dog knows how to enter and exit the pool from the steps
- ☑ Exit training refreshed (at least every season)
- ☑ Pool gates locked when dog is unsupervised
- ☑ Pool cover secured when not in use (if applicable)
- ☑ Dog enters pool only with permission
- ☑ Swimming sessions limited; regular rest breaks enforced
- ☑ Fresh water bowl always available poolside
- ☑ Shaded rest area set up near the pool
- ☑ Dog rinsed off after every swim
- ☑ Paw-pad test done on pool deck before letting dog walk on it
- ☑ Sunscreen applied to sensitive areas (nose, ears, belly) if needed
- ☑ Life jacket fitted and practised for open water outings
- ☑ Hot tub off-limits, always
When Training Makes All the Difference
Pool safety isn’t just about fences and supervision. It’s about training. A dog that reliably responds to recall, respects boundaries, and enters the pool only with permission is a dog you can actually relax around the water with. A dog without those foundations is one you’ll spend the whole summer chasing, worrying about, and managing.
If your dog needs help with poolside manners, water confidence, or any behaviour that’s making summer less enjoyable than it should be, a Bark Busters trainer can help, in the comfort of your own home.
Every Bark Busters program comes with a Written Lifetime Guarantee, so you’ll have support all summer long and beyond.
Bark Busters has in-home dog trainers in communities across Canada, from Windsor to Mississauga to Burnaby. Find your local trainer →