Every year hundreds of dogs lose their lives tragically by drowning, and more often than not, in their own swimming pools or fish ponds. The most vulnerable are puppies and old dogs although many adult dogs also drown because they have never been taught pool sense. So here’s a lesson on how to pool proof your dog.
Most dogs know how to swim
First of all, most normal dogs can swim, although short snouted breeds like Bulldogs are questionable due to their respiratory problems. Rarely, a dog may never learn to swim probably due to extreme fear, but these are few and far between - both categories demand good fences and extreme caution to prevent drowning.
Exhaustion causes drowning
And while 99% of dogs can swim, it is exhaustion which causes their demise. Should the average dog fall into a pool, it will quickly recover it’s equilibrium and begin swimming to the side with the single intention of getting out. And this is where the whole thing falls apart, because the poor animal doesn’t have the strength to drag its water logged body onto dry land - it will probably keep trying until it expends all it’s energy and sinks, or it will continue to swim around and around the pool looking for an escape - either way fatigue, shock and panic will claim another life.
Pool proof tips
- Never assume your dog will steer clear of the pool because it ‘hates water’. Those are the very ones who fall in accidentally and are found floating face down.
- Never assume your puppy cannot get through Kid-proof fencing, because it will.
- Because old dogs lose their sight and scenting ability, they are sitting ducks to fall into water and drown - do not take chances, simply keep the oldies indoors.
- Koi ponds and shallow pools are just as lethal.
- Make sure your dog cannot get to your neighbour’s pool.
- As a temporary measure, fill your pool to the brim which will help water logged bodies to pull themselves onto dry land.
The guilt accompanying a drowning is truly engulfing and one never really recovers. So if you have a pool or fish pond, please pool proof your dogs now.
The trick - teach them where the step is
- Get in the pool with your dog.
- Support its body, calmly swimming it towards the steps.
- Once there, allow it to feel the steps underpaw and help it out.
- Repeat the procedure from every part of the pool.
- Test the dog until you are 100% certain it can find the steps and get out on its own.
It’s much better to be safe than sorry and prevent drowning before it happens. Please trust me … I’m a dog shrink!
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23 Responses to “Pool proof your dog and prevent drowning”
March 25th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Oh my god, why didn’t I know about this before!. We lost our darling wee boy ‘Chester’ a 3 year old Papillion on Saturday. The guilt I feel is suffocating and I feel as though I am drowning in the pain, the sorrow but mostly the guilt that I didn’t protect him.
Please if you love your pet don’t ever let this tragedy happen to your and your family, do something proactive about keeping your pool ‘animal safe’
Jaz
March 31st, 2008 at 10:22 am
I lost my first puppy at the age of 6 months. She drowned in our pool playing in her dog pen which fell into the pull and dragged her under. The vision will always stay with me, when we realised that she had drowned. I relive this moment as a warning. That same day we found out I was pregnant. I have been to a spiritual guider who has informed me that “Tastic” died to warn us of the potential danger of drowning. Although she isn’t with me in body she sure is in spirit and follows me wherever I go.
April 23rd, 2008 at 3:11 am
i cam home from work today to find our dog on the bottom of our pool.. AND it is a a above ground pool.. i am in shock and i feel empty we loved her very much she was a blue nose pit that loved to play with our girls and there friends i wish i had looked this web site up before this tragic day..
June 26th, 2008 at 1:27 am
I left the dogs by the pool for a short while today to find that my 7 month old shih tzu had drowned and my 2 year old was trying to rescue him. We had a bubble cover on our pool and I do not know if that contributed to it or not but it is a really sad day especially for my 8 year old daughter….
July 16th, 2008 at 12:49 am
We lost our best dog ever to our family pool last Sunday. She knew how to swim and love it. My son and friend were also in the pool at the time. You never know what is going to happen. She must have jumped or fallen in without them knowing and she must have gotten tired. She was only three and my best friend. My son will never recover from seeing her at the bottom and bringing her to the surface. I will never recover from not protecting her and having this happen to my son. I do not not how to bear the pain for him or myself. : (
July 24th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
We lost our 3 month old Chocolate Lab puppy yesterday. She followed her 7 month old brother (also a chocolate lab) up the ladder into our above ground pool for the 1st and last time. The older lab loves the pool and can stand in it without problem. I had the little girl in on 2 occassions and she swam fine. We think the older one may have frightened her and she panicked and swallowed water. My family is devestated. She was only outside for 5 minutes- no different then any other day. The vet tried everything but she went into Cardiac Arrest. I can not stop crying, I can’t sleep, I can’t eat, I am a mess. This is just the worst thing ever. How do you ever get over something like this?
October 19th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Last Wednesday I had let Simon, my 11 yr. old shih tzu out to potty and after a few minutes I heard what I thought was his normal barking at the door to get in, I was doing house chores so I didn’t think too much about it until just a few minutes later when I went to let him in and he wasn’t at the door…I assumed he went back down as he does frequently, so I called him and didn’t see him…I then looked straight out to the pool and saw him floating in the pool face down. I screamed as I ran down and fell down the second flight of deck stairs. I finally reached him and grabbed him out trying desparately to bring him back…but It was too late. I sat there for what seems like forever holding him and crying uncontrollably. In 8 years, he has never went near the pool so I never expected anything like this. I have such horrible guilt and have not slept much or been able to eat in days. Its the last thing I think about at night and the first thing I think about in the morning. I keep telling myself if I would have just went and let him in at the very moment I heard him barking that I could have saved him. I am so upset at myself for not being there for him as he must have tried frantically to get out. Today I’m still picturing him in the pool and I can’t get the visual out of my head. All I can see is him trying to swim in panic and finally drowning when I didn’t get out there in time. I put my hand in the water today to see if he may have had a heart attack due to the cold temp. of the water. I had a problem keeping my hand in for very long without it getting numb from the cold. I don’t know whats worse…knowing he died from the cold or from drowning. Please someone help me by saying he didn’t suffer and if he did, for not very long. My heart is breaking for my Simon. I miss him so much and I still see him at my feet. How do I get over this??? It all happened within just a few minutes. I can’t even stand to see my pool now and my kids say they will never swim in it again. I’m just sick to my stomach about it.
October 24th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
I just lost my mini-doxie yesterday afternoon. I am also a mess. She was only 4 months old. We had her for two months. My daughter went to let her outside and went back in and forgot that she was outside. We found her floating in the pool. I am beside myself with grief and all I want to do is cry and I blame myself and everyone in my family is blaming themselves. My husband wants to go out right away and get a new doxie to help the grieving, but I feel like we are replacing her so soon. I could really use some advice.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:20 am
To all of you whose hearts are breaking… I have lost many a loved one… of the human AND canine variety… and with each one, my first feelings experienced were guilt. Even at the age of 8, I remember my dog Tom passing from snake bite and my only thoughts were of how I had been hosing him down with water just a couple of days prior because he didn’t like it, but I thought it was funny… and how mean of me that had been. Why couldn’t I have just made his last days pleasant? If only I had known. These feelings are normal for you to have. Each of you need to recognize that guilt is the most normal emotion experienced post death of a loved one… and even if you didn’t put it together that his/her bark meant they were in danger… you KNOW you would have come to his/her rescue, if presented with the possibility and knowledge… You know this because if you didn’t love your passed one so much, you wouldn’t be posting about these feelings at all. There is no need to rethink and relive the few last minutes of these dogs’ lives… as those minutes are passed, these dogs are not resuffering, and you know and I know, again, that if you had known the dog was in trouble, you would have come to his/her aide. Mourn, but do forgive yourself… move forward with the knowledge you now have on pool safety and envision your happy loved one on a cloud up there in doggy paradise.
November 22nd, 2008 at 10:36 am
We live in north Florida and have an inground pool with a “Baby Barrier” fence. This fence has worked fine for the 3 years we have lived here for our Pomeranian (now 10). This morning (well yesterday now) our baby er Spaniel that we got a few months ago got past the baby barrier and drowned. We have had her in the pool and she can swim. Contrary to popular beleif from the northen states, it does get chilly in Florida. The outside temp was in the 50’s and the water temp was about 40 deg F at the time. The vet said that she was most likely in shock from the instant cold water and her small body. I had taken the kids to school and for some reason I felt I needed to stop back at the house before I went to work. My wife had let the dogs out while she was geting ready for work. The dogs were outside for about 5 minutes before my wife went to check on them (too late). Our Pom does not like the outdoors all that much so he will almost instantly start barking to come back in, so his barking was not immediately answered. I arrived about two minutes later to hear my wife screaming from the back. I panicked and tried to remember what I knew about CPR. I couldn’t get much water out of her lungs. I did chest compressions and CPR until my wife could drag me to the car. I continued at the vet until they took her from me. The vet said that I had gotten here heart beat back but with the lack of oxygen she would have been pretty much brain . I feel so guilty that I did not do enough. I would get annoyed with some things she did but I would be joyful in them now. I knew about one weekness in the fence that I had been putting off fixing due to time and expense. I would give anything to be able to change that decision. 22 years in the military was easy compared to having to break the news to my children after school. My faith has been on rocky ground for years. I knelt down on my knees in the vet parking lot on the edge of a busy street and prayed out loud for a miracle ( I bet that was a site). I know God has a grand plan but the guilt and lack of a miracle has my faith going further away fast. I want to feel more greif but my anger with God is clouding that. If our Pom had passed we would have been devastated but he has gotten a full life. She was only a baby. Don’t take for granted that your pet will be fine. Check out your yard and fences for all weaknesses and dangers. Don’t get complacent.
December 7th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Hi–I have “heard” that heavy bodied-short legged dogs do not swim well….dachsund, shar-pei etc……….how about a mix…lab and basset hound………lab body and short legs…..hates the water…..so having a hard time teaching where the steps are. Friends Dachsund drowned recently……….do the short legs have anything to do with it?? Thank you for your great advice and your website….Nancy
January 3rd, 2009 at 6:09 am
Its only now that I search the web about dogs drowning. With the New Year just getting started my family and I have been very busy. My parents left to Las Vegas and my siblings are off celebrating some else where for the New Year. I was busy working and spending time with my girlfriend at her house during the Holiday. This pretty much left the house empty during the Holiday… leaving my dog home alone. My dog is a 13 year old shish tzu
January 3rd, 2009 at 6:47 am
“Because old dogs lose their sight and scenting ability, they are sitting ducks to fall into water and drown - do not take chances, simply keep the oldies indoors” (thepetshrink). Its only now that I search the web about dogs drowning. With the New Year just getting started my family and I have been very busy. My parents left to Las Vegas and my siblings are off celebrating some else where for the New Year. I was busy working and spending time with my girlfriend at her house during the Holiday. This pretty much left the house empty during the Holiday… leaving my dog home alone. My dog is a 13 year old shih tzu (Myla)which was a house dog all her life. We have a doggy door for Myla so she can go in and out of the house and to the backyard which consist of the life taking pool. I was in out of the house like always to go to work. Before I left today, I checked her food and water if they were filled for her because I knew the house has been empty for a while. I noticed that water bowl was to brim and her food was there for her to eat whenever she liked. I go to work thinking everything is okay. I get a phone call from my mom when she had come back from Las Vegas telling me that my dog of 13 years had drowned in our pool. I was puzzled, she was terrified of the pool and did not make sense. Until I search the web which gave my answer, late and when I am sorry. She was getting old and losing her sight. The food and water bowls that were filled for a reason. There was no longer a dog for us to feed. I keep on thinking of Myla drowning because we simply ignored her while we were out celebrating the New Year. I just wonder if she thought we neglected her. I felt really bad for her I did not want her to go out like this. I knew she was getting old but not like this. We have been getting cold weather as well and all odds were against her. I miss Myla already and our family is very angry at each other by blaming each other. I could see in everyone’s face that we really loved her and did not want this for her. She was a great a loyal dog. This is really unfortunate that we have to start the New Year this way. My birthday is one day away and I really do not care anymore. This tip about drown proofing pools should be advertise at local pet stores, if they do they are doing a poor job of it. A notice or something, who am I to blame its really our fault, Sorry Myla, I will miss you and I know this will sound corny but I love you. I speak for the rest of your family too.
February 11th, 2009 at 5:24 am
Our dog Shocker passed away last night and there were four of us “around” the house.
Unfortunately, being an old dog, I thought she was in bed.
Only to find this loveable dog “roamed” the house, nudged the patio door open, and like stated above,”a sitting duck” and found her later floating in the pool.
She was 16 years old, and bless her heart had the stamina I only could wish for as an old person.
However, eyes,ears,scent were diminished, I never thought this would be the way it would end.
My 11 yr old is crushed, and I feel very guilty, as I was at the computer.
But Shocker left this life, but she will not be forgotton.
May her presence on this life, and the way she departed show an example of one we may save in the future.
May all of you find that inner peace of lessons learned from our little loved ones. (They have forgiven us!)
Peace, Love, and Life. (Never take it for granted)
February 12th, 2009 at 3:54 am
Just as a side note to above:
Shocker was a cockapoo who drank an awful lot of water. Had her tested a few years ago, and said it was a behavior of hers.
I often wonder: If our pool was in the 60-70’s, would she develop hyperthermia first, and possibly had a heart attack?, or just simply got worn out, and drowned. I found her with eyes/mouth open. (Possibly there for up to 1 hour) She was inches away from the steps where I found her.
After reading on the internet, says one could resusitate a dog from cold water even if left for hours. Now I wonder if I could of saved her.
Regardless, I find now how much others loved her, and it was very touching to hear that.
Now I share with others the lesson I learned.
Peace, Love, and Life (Never take it for granted)
April 23rd, 2009 at 6:41 am
I lost my puppy “Guera” about 2 weeks ago. She was only 5 months old. I found her one morning floating face first in my spa. I kept her inside for the frist three months, but just couldn’t get her to potty train. I sent her to sleep outdoors, forgetting how young she was. I just got tired of cleaning up after her messes. I feel so guilty for letting my poor puppy out. How could I forget the dangers of our pool/spa area? I have felt guilty for weeks. Even the night before I found her, I heard her and my other dog barking at night. I didn’t think anything of it. I was so tired from work, that I didn’t bother to check what was going on. Couldn my poor puppy have been in trouble and I ignored her cries. This is what eats me up every day. I loved my puppy. She was so cute and went everywhere with us. It’s been so hard to get over her death. I refuse to let my other dog outside unattended. I’m scared that she will drown also. I’m going to do whatever I can to safeguard my dog from the dangers of my pool/spa. I’ve suffered enough guilt from my “Guera’s” death.
April 24th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I was puppy-sitting my son and his girlfriend’s little silky/yorkie (almost 4 mos. old) and when the time came to go to bed, I let them all out (total 5 dogs including mom and dad and a little sister). Probably 10 minutes passed. That day he had been playing around the pool with the other dogs, so I felt comfortable letting him out for a few minutes. When I called them all in… he didn’t come. My brain was not working right because it was also dark. I turned on the lights and found him floating in the pool. I tried cpr but i din’t know how to do that so I called 911… they transferred me to Animal Control and I was put on hold. Finally, someone picked up the phone and I begged for him to tell me how to do cpr on a doggy and all he told me was take him to the vet hospital. I held him in my arms crying until my son and his girlfriend arrived. They were devastated. I cannot forget how they both cried inconsolably and it hurts me so much that I didn’t take better care of their puppy… and I put in danger all the others too. I feel so guilty, it is awful. The mommy was going crazy that night and the next morning looking for her little one. I pray to God to allow us to get past this and that they stay together and love each other more in the memory of their beloved Jasper.
May 3rd, 2009 at 6:33 am
My darling little shih tzu Harriet died this morning, I found her floating in the pool. She was 13yrs old this month and was suffering from Cushings disease. Since she was diagnosed she showed great determination to get to our pool area (her baby was buried in the garden there). We do have a pool fence but the gap between the floor and the gate was just big enough for her to squeeze through. We had stopped the gap by riveting corrugated plastic roofing to the bottom which overlapped the step - but this time she was so determined she was able to force her way in. When I found Harriet she was floating on her side - near the pool filter - the flow of the water pushing her body in that direction. When I pulled her out and hugged her some air escaped from her but no water came from her mouth. The vet had told me Harriet was a ticking bomb becasue of her Cushings plus she had adrenal glands 2cm on 1 side and 3cm on the other. The adrenals were very close to the vein that runs down her back and he expected this would cause her problems sooner or later, she had frequent bouts where her adrenalin appeared elevated as she’d go into ‘fight or flight’ mode. I’m wondering if my little darling died then fell in the pool - or if indeed she drown after exhausing herself. She could only have been in the water several hours - what would keep her floating where others indicate their dogs were found on the bottom? I too feel so guilty for not preventing her from getting into the pool area - it is my worst nightmare come true. I scolded people about forcing the gate to stay open because of the shape of the pool I knew there would be little chance of them getting out un-aided. Sorry for the rambling, I’m just so sad and empty.
May 7th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Sheila, I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers. I lost my dachshund of 9 and a half years 1 week ago today. Timón was a part of the family and it feels so empty here now without him. He also drowned in our in-ground pool. He could not have been outside for more than 30 minutes. He had no ailments, but was not a good swimmer. I feel so guilty because I know it was not his time to go. I still don’t understand how he got in the pool in the first place. I miss him so much.
May 7th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
http://peterican.blogspot.com/
May 11th, 2009 at 3:06 am
Thank you Aaron, you too are in my thoughts. I understand just how you feel. The amount of love we receive from our pets makes their passing very painful.
May 12th, 2009 at 6:51 am
Thank you. We turned off the TV to hear a splashing and a splashing in the pool. My husband went outside and our Lhasa-Shitzu was near exhaustion trying to get out of the deep end to no avail. It is a hot night and he must have thought he would cool off. It never even entered our mind he would do that. Thank goodness for your website. The doors are locked and tomorrow I will work for him and show him the steps, and we will install a doggy ramp. This was too close for comfort. My heart goes out to all of you. I am sick to my stomach and shaking. Let’s hope more people read your website!
May 20th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
My 16 week old puppy drowned two days ago. He weighed less than five pounds so could easily slip through through the cracks of our pool fence. I was home at the time and wish more than anything that I checked on him quicker. I feel so guilty and stupid for not puppy proofing our pool fence or taking the same precautions that I did when my kids were toddlers. I had stupidly thought that if the puppy ever fell into the pool, our older dog would bark like crazy and we’d be able to quickly respond. We have two older dogs who are too big to slip through the cracks but I will never leave the pool fence open again, esp as our oldest is 14 1/2 years old. We did not tell our two kids how their puppy died - I just couldn’t bear for them to share the image of their little dog floating in the pool as its an image that haunts me. Maybe I am being a coward but I also don’t want them to hate their mother for not taking better care of their puppy while they were at school. This was a horrible lesson learned and I hope that everyone takes the necessary precautions.