Making sure that your furry companions are safe seems like a full-time job when they’re still puppies and kittens. I can distinctly remember crawling around on my hands and knees trying to find anything they could get their mouths on that was not ordinarily visible. The same set of precautions should certainly be taken when considering your pool. While most animals are naturally adept swimmers, pools have high lips that dogs and cats cannot haul themselves out of. Below are some tips and tricks on keeping your dogs and cats out of the pool until you can train them properly.

The Ideal Option – A Child Fence

While the most expensive option at anywhere between $1,500 and $20,000, this is easily the most secure option. If you plan on having children over or having children of your own, this is certainly the correct investment. While pools are required to have a fence around them by law, these childproof fences are a much higher level of security in prohibiting complete access to the pool.

The reason for the expense of install is that the pool deck itself typically must be altered to accommodate the process. This required holes to be drilled into the deck so that the fence can be secured. While it is possible to perform an installation like this yourself, it is HIGHLY recommended that you consult an accredited provider to process installation. We have provided an excellent video below that highlights the process of a particular model’s install.

A Backup Option – Outdoor Pet Fencing

A much more affordable option if you want to section off your patio is an expandable pet gate. They come in a large variety, like this particular model on Amazon, which can be used to section off portions of a deck.

Additionally, several manufacturers create metal playpens that can be set up nearly anywhere. Heed my advice on this type of product, however. Puppies very quickly learn that they can push the sides of the playpen around, so ensure that you secure it either into the ground, or use large heavy objects to secure it in place, such as sandbags. This, however, will not contain cats, but they have their own separate line of products!

While there are several cat playpens available for purchase on the internet, personal experience has found that you can easily build a semi-permanent enclosure on your own with some 2x4s and chicken wire! The video below goes into great detail on the entire process.

The Long-term Solution – Training!

While you may have some difficulty introducing your cat to the pool (stranger things have happened), both dogs and cats are absolutely natural swimmers. The primary concern about them being in the pool is training them to learn where the steps are so they can exit the pool. Most animals will immediately make for the edge and find that they are unable to pull themselves up and out. Start by slowly introducing your dog to the pool by walking into the pool using the steps. If you can coax them into the water with you, have them follow you back to the steps. Through a process of repetition, rewards, and encouragement, they will eventually learn to get in and out on their own.

A great tool to consider as well for certain breeds is a life vest! Yes, they make them for all shapes and sizes and are readily available.

With all of these tools at your disposal, you are ready to determine which option is most available for you and your furry friends. Good luck!