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Is 14 weeks too young to be in a pool

763 views 9 replies 8 participants last post by  Brixton319 
#1 ·
I have a chlorine pool and my boy is just about to be 15 weeks old. I wanted to go swimming today and the pool is fenced off and when I'm in the big pool he doesn't even care about his kid pool. I feel bad for not giving him full attention. I've heard and seen dogs get in before at his age but I still don't know. Does anybody have stories/examples why it is/isn't a good idea.
 
#3 ·
I'd for SURE let him get in with you!! He will instinctively swim, and it will be a totally positive experience if he's getting in to be with you (plus, you're there to help if he struggles a bit). Very important: teach him how to get OUT of your pool. If you have stairs, show him where they are, and make sure he can get out on his own. Ditto if he has to climb out.
 
#4 ·
I put my new dogs in the pool when I bring them home. Of course I am holding them on the top step so the water is about top of the chest deep. Over the next weeks we go off the step to the shallow ledge or as some call it a "shamu shelf". I have found that if they can feel the bottom with their feet they are not scared of the water. Once they can swim I show them how to get out of the pool several times.

Now for full disclosure my last two boys would not venture off the shelf. It was enough for them to take toys into the pool and play on the shelf. My two females would swim all over the place....Not sure why the difference but there it is.

Of course you know this but keep your eyes on the dog until you are sure they can swim and get out of the pool....pups sink.
 
#6 ·
Your pup is adorable, first of all.

Second of all, I don't see why you couldn't take him in with you! Just make sure to follow what others have said and supervise him heavily, especially if it's his first time swimming. Make sure to also show him how to get out of the pool and only leave him alone when you're 100% comfortable knowing that he can get himself out when he wants to.
 
#9 ·
I agree with everyone else. Let him in the pool but supervise him closely and, for now anyway, don't allow him in without you being there. Bailey discovered the lake at our lake home at about 14 weeks by accident when he strolled off of the end of dock. Luckily into shallow and clean water. After the initial surprise he figured out water was a whole lot of fun. Since then his favorite thing to do, if we arrive there during daylight hours, is to barrel out of the car, down across the dock and fly into the water with a huge splash. The bigger splash the better, in his mind, I believe. And then, of course, he has to come running back to me where he will finally shake all of that water off of himself. Lol. In my experience goldens love water...a lot.
 
#10 ·
Thank you for the compliments, and thank you for the suggestions. I felt better after reading all the responses.

I took him out and he loved it! Took him a bit to leave the first step but he did get in right away and after about 2 minutes and holding his belly once he started to jump out to me. It was awesome seeing him jump off the first step. He even started to retrieve the ball and bring it to me. There was 2 out of maybe 20 times he didn't know where the step was but that'll change. Thank you all again
 
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