Guidance: Dog Swim Sessions in Swimming Pools

GUIDANCE

In this article, we explore how to deliver safe dog swim sessions in UK swimming pools. 

What is dog swimming?

In short, a swim activity in a swimming pool for domestic dogs. 

What guidance is available? 

The following guidance is available: 

• Pets at Home. 2020. Dog swimming pools in the UK. Accessed 6 January 2022. 
• Doggy Paddle Norwich. 2022. Frequently asked questions. Accessed 6 January 2022. 
• Iowa Department of Public Health. 2019. Dog swims. Version 1. Accessed 23 January 2021. 
• Indiana State Department of Health. 2017. Version 1. Accessed 23 January 2021. 
• Richmond valley veterinary practice. 2017. Dog pool safety. A complete guide. Accessed 23 January 2021
• Montana Food and Consumer safety program. 2018. Best practices for dog swim days. Accessed 23 January 2021
• Jender, H. 2017. How to choose a pet-friendly pool. River pools. Accessed 23 January 2021.

What are the hazards of dog swimming? 

The following hazards are commonly identified in dog swimming sessions: 

• Submersion in the water of a pet owner or their pet (pools are designed for the access and egress of human beings, so your pet may find it difficult to exit the water)
• Slipping due to water contamination on a pedestrian walkway. 
• Tripping over objects (e.g. pets or their toys) on a pedestrian walkway. 
• Collision with the pool surround, other pet owners, pets or a foreign object (e.g. a floating leisure article). 
• Health events triggered by exercise
• Animal bites
• Ingestion or absorption of waterborne pathogens (e.g. cryptosporidium)
• Ingestion of zoonoses such as campylobacter, salmonella, cryptosporidium, leptospirosis, giardia, hookworm, tapeworm, Brucella Canis, and roundworm. 
• Exposed skin contact with zoonoses such as Lyme disease, ringworm, rabies, leptospirosis and sarcoptic mange.

Dogs should not be permitted to use starting blocks, inflatable play equipment, waterslides and similar features which are not designed for dogs.  

How to conduct dog swim sessions safely? 

Practical steps can be taken to deliver safe dog swim sessions in swimming pools, including: 

• Some dog breeds are very poor swimmers, and participation in dog swim sessions should be under careful supervision: Pugs, Bulldogs, Basset Hounds, Boxers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Corgis, and Chow Chows. A dog buoyancy aid can assist breeds which are poorer swimmers to participate in the session. 
• Dog swim sessions are best held at outdoor pools with an accessible grassy area for dogs to urinate and defecate. A free-standing, fibreglass pool could also be used, provided pool water quality can be adequately managed. All dogs should be walked before the session. Owners should be responsible for removing their dog's excrement from the grassy area and using the specialist waste disposal containers provided.
• Dog swims are best held where water depth is between 0.9 - 1.3 metres (waist-depth), and the pool surround is of a deck-level design. Where the pool has a freeboard, a ramp should be installed to enable pets to exit the water safely. 
• Provide dogs with an adequate supply of drinking water and pet rest areas provided. 
• Dog owners should produce an up-to-date vaccination card for their dog(s) before participating in the session. 
• Pool water quality should be maintained according to PWTAG guidance. Free chlorine should not exceed 5.0 mg/l as this is likely to affect the dogs' health adversely. Following the incident, it would be advisable to follow your procedure for restoring pool water quality following an incident of diarrhoea before re-opening the pool for use by other customers. 
• A policy for water contamination events, such as a dog defecating in the pool, including the evacuation and restoration of pool hygiene before re-use.  
• Screening, requirements, and supervision of third parties to ensure they do not bring unsuitable equipment into the pool. 
• Dogs should be brushed to remove excess hair and use the showers or be hosed down before participating in the session. Their toys should also be scrubbed to remove excess debris and residue before permitting their use in the pool. 
• Use of competent instructors to deliver or supervise the delivery of sessions by trainee instructors. 
• Provide constant poolside supervision from the pool surround using a competent instructor and/or lifeguard. 
• Quarantine unsuitable, damaged or unsafe equipment to prevent its use and arrange for repair by a competent person or its disposal. 
• Use a health commitment statement and/or proportionate screening of health conditions and recommendations from a medical professional to ensure participants are safe for participation in the activity. 
• Those with immunosuppressant conditions or receiving treatment or taking medication which has the same effect should seek advice from a competent medical professional before participating in the session. 
• Provide competent first aiders to respond to incidents and provide pre-hospital care should they occur. Additional information may need to be provided to first aiders if they are not familiar with the treatment for dog bites. It is unlikely that first aiders will be required to identify illnesses from zoonoses such as those listed, as they would not ordinarily cause illness in less than 12 hours. 
• Advise participants and instructors to wear sunscreen during warm weather. 

Citation. Jacklin, D. 2022. Guidance on dog swim sessions in swimming pools. Water Incident Research Hub, 6 August.