Spending the summer out by the pool with your pups is a great way to enjoy the season, as long as you take the necessary precautions to protect your pet. When you’re out and about by the pool, not only is it important to make sure that your dog is protected from the sun with shade or dog-friendly sunscreen, but you should also think about puppy pool safety. Here are some tips on keeping your Dachshund safe by the pool, courtesy of Bark Post.
First thing’s first: make sure your dog knows how to swim! Let your dog try out their doggy paddle in some shallower water before letting him or her jump into the deep end. Some say that the breed of your dog determines whether or not they can swim, although Dachshunds are not especially known for their swimming talents since they have such short legs! However, it really comes down to your dog’s personality. If they are energetic and willing to try new things, they will probably be a strong swimmer. If your dog it skittish and doesn’t love the water, however, it may be best to trade the swimming for lounging poolside.
Before you hit the pool, brush up on the obedience training. It’ll be important that your dog listens to you when you call him over. You don’t want your dog to wander somewhere they shouldn’t go or end up in the deep end of the pool and unable to make it back.
You should also make sure you show your dog how to get out of the pool. Stairs are your best bet – if there’s a ladder that your dog won’t be able to climb, they may swim until they are exhausted, leaving them at serious risk of drowning.
Last, but certainly not least, watch your dog at all times. It only takes a mouthful of water or a few too many minutes of paddling for your dog to get into some serious trouble in the water. If he or she looks tired, make sure that your dog takes a break for a while. If your dog accidentally dinks some of the pool water, you’ll need to keep an eye on their tummy. Of course, the best way to prevent your pup from drinking pool water is to provide an alternate source of cool water!
It’s also important to make sure you know how to give your dog CPR, just in case. The rules are a little bit different with smaller dogs like Dachshunds, so talk to your vet and learn the best way to perform CPR. PetMD offers some essential dog CPR tips online that is a good place to start. Things can happen very quickly in pools, especially if there are lots of other kids and swimmers around, so it’s best to be prepared for any situation.
For more pet care tips, keep an eye on our blog. Don’t forget to check out our brand new puppy page, too, to see the latest pups available at Patti’s Dachshund Farm. To learn more or to learn about puppy availability, call us today at 334-385-2600 or 713-591-7412.