Pool Alarms & Safety for Dogs

Pools can be fun for the whole family, even for your dogs. What many people don't consider however, is that pools can also be a potential danger for dogs. Not all dogs are natural swimmers or even good swimmers, and safety precautions must be taken to prevent accidents.

  1. Pool Safety

    • Most dogs love the water and are excellent swimmers, but this does not apply to all dogs. Senior dogs, small-breed dogs, puppies, dogs with short legs, and double coated dogs are all considered to be less than ideal swimmers. Swimming is a strenuous activity for a dog, and even a healthy, water-loving dog can become tired quickly. Fortunately, there are many things that you can do, from installing pool alarms to putting up pool fences, to keep your dog safe. Incidentally, pool alarms and pool fences are recommended for the safety of young children as well.

    Wrist Pool Alarms

    • One of the most popular types of pet pool alarms is the Safety Turtle. This is a wristband that attaches to your dog's collar and alerts you if your pet enters the pool via a Safety Turtle Base Station. This type of alarm is popular both because it is easy to use, and also because it is relatively inexpensive when compared to other options. This alarm system was originally designed to protect young children and prevent drowning accidents, and it has proven to be just as effective for protecting dogs.

    Perimeter Pool Alarms

    • Perimeter alarms are placed around the pool and alert you if anyone or anything trespasses in the chosen perimeter. This is a safe and effective way to keep your dog and young children safe. The only drawbacks are that the perimeter should be adjusted to the height of your child and/or your dog, and you need to turn off the alarm if you don't want it to sound any time that anyone the right height comes near the pool.

    Gate Pool Alarms

    • If you have a fence around your pool, (which you should consider installing if you don't, for safety purposes), then a gate alarm may be a good option for you. This alarm will not alert you if your dog falls into the pool, however, but it will alert you if the pool gate is opened, which will help you to respond quickly and prevent accidents. This type of alarm is good for houses with children and dogs, since children often open pool gates and forget to close them.

    Supervise and Train Your Dog

    • Pools can provide hours of entertainment and exercise for your family, your dog, and you. Make sure to always supervise your dog when it is swimming, and never leave it unattended in a pool, no matter how skilled a swimmer your pet is. Take the time to familiarize your dog with the pool, and have a pet pool ramp installed so that you can train your dog to climb in and out of it when necessary. Taking the proper precautions today can go a long way to preventing water-related pet accidents tomorrow.