Will large dog who loves water rupture pool liner?

[nina_online]

I plan to put up a 14' Intex Ultra Frame. My friend had one and told me that her cat's claws caused punctures in the liner. My husband just reminded me that our 55 lb dog absolutely loves to swim and will likely do whatever it takes to get in the pool. She currently jumps up to get to the outside edge of the trampoline, but the pool will have no real top edge for her to stand on. So I can't imagine how she'll get in but she'll try and it will be nuts.

Any experience with this type of thing? Have a dog who was determined to get in this kind of pool? Did it result in the liner puncturing? Can they use the ladder (I assume its too steep and the steps too narrow) Do I need to have some steps built or something? Neither husband nor I are DIYers and don't want to spend a lot of money, so any creative solutions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Nina

 

[YippeeSkippy]

Very likely if your dog struggles to get in or out of the water. Once in, as long as all he's doing is swimming/floating it should be fine as he won't be clawing the liner. Its that getting in and out thing that would worry me.

You need to find a way to train the dog to use some sort of pet ladder or some thing.... I wish I could entice my dog into my pool, she's scaredy cat of it!

Maddie

 

[Mickelin]

Lots of people let their dogs into their Intex pools. In fact, I remember one thread on this site where the pool was built just for the dogs, 4 labs if I remember correctly. Build some kind of ramp/platform and you'll be fine. Do a search for dog+Intex and you will get some ideas.

 

[tschaefges]

We have 5 labs that swim in our pool at least five days a week and a host of other dogs that come to party. Once they learn to get in and out using a ramp, they almost never touch the sides. We use a PetStep ramp mounted on a PVC stand to get the dogs out. New dogs get in using the ramp, but most of the experienced dogs jump off the deck to get in.


Giant Dogs, 2 190 lbs English Mastiffs swimmers

 

[benm2010]

My Golden Retriever will use a pool ladder and climb into the pool by himself. It's just a standard above ground pool with vinyl liner and the ladder is very steep as well. Never had problems with him touching the liner or messing it up.

 

[ashtonfitzgerald]

My lab and shepherd love the water, but are full on reckless swimmers. I haven't yet braved letting them into the Intex as it's just too small IMO (only 12ft round) and we've already had leaks to deal with this year. With a bigger pool I would allow it for sure. At our old facility we had a dock diving pool for dog. It was a Splash Pool which is basically a heavy duty Intex style AGP. Had a ramp for them to climb out, and even them climbing the sides it held up fine. Not sure about the Intex durability though.

I would for sure suggest keeping their nails trimmed short as they get sharp as they get long. Professional groomers use a dremel tool with a sanding attachment to really round off the nails. It's usually $10-15 to get nails trimmed by a pro. Call around. Personally I DIY nails, but have a few years of experience and very tolerant pups.[emoji6]