How to Keep Your Vizsla Puppy Safe around Your Pool?

Holidays are synonymous with enjoying swimming pools, and you, as the responsible and loving owner of your Vizsla puppy, have to share these happy moments with it. However, water can represent a danger for those dogs that do not know the aquatic environment. 

Contrary to popular belief, puppies aren’t always born knowing how to swim, so if you plan to bring your puppy to the pool this summer, keep these safety tips in mind: 

Teach Your Vizsla Puppy to Swim 

It is essential that you teach your Vizsla puppy to swim because if you do not do it, it will think that it will never learn to swim. 

Some dogs are natural swimmers from birth, but others are not. Usually, the aquatic abilities depend on the breed. Some can swim right away, others can learn to swim, and some others are afraid of the water and never learn to do it. 

It is recommended that you spend time with your puppy in the pool. Assess the comfort level of your pet in the water and its natural abilities. You must be patient, so you will need to work on your “doggy paddle” movements. 

If you notice that your canine is learning quickly and correctly, it is a good sign to continue teaching it. While you are with your puppy in the water, do not separate from it. You have to be next to it in case it sinks. 

Install a Fence around the Pool 

When you have a Vizsla puppy at home, you have to baby-proof the pool. Experts suggest that barriers, such as pool fences and baby gates, can prevent an unsupervised puppy from slipping into the pool when no one is around. 

The fence you choose will depend on the size of your pool, your puppy, and your budget. Renters may want to consider a temporary mesh-style fence, while those planning to live in a home with a pool for the long term may want to invest in permanent barriers made of aluminum, wood, or vinyl. 

Any pool and spa supply store can help you find a puppy-proof barrier that suits your outdoor lifestyle and décor. 

Self-closing barriers or fences are the best because the area is closed at all times when no one is around and ensures that your puppy will be safe near the pool. 

Train Your Puppy to Get Out of the Pool 

A pool fence can keep your Vizsla puppy safe on dry land, but the sad thing is that puppies can drown even in a crowded pool. Sometimes people incorrectly assume that a puppy is having fun when it is actually drowning. 

Very young puppies do not have the strength to swim to safety or get out of a pool when they need to. That is why in a puppy’s first swimming lesson, you should teach it how to get out of the pool. 

It is advisable to place a landmark, such as a large plant or a flag, next to the pool stairs so that the puppy can always find them. 

It is a good idea to have some treats or kibbles to encourage the puppy. After that, go into the water with your pet, swim for a while with it, and then show it the exit direction while drawing its attention with a treat. When they have successfully emerged from the water, reward your pup with a treat. 

Repeat this several times until your puppy knows how to get in and out of the pool whenever it wants. 

Get a Life Jacket for Dogs 

It is common sense to know that all dogs must wear a life jacket while learning to swim, even if they are next to their owners. Also, if you have a naturally good puppy at swimming, it will still need a life jacket. 

Pet life jackets have become increasingly popular in recent years. Try to find one that fits your Vizsla puppy’s body type without much trouble, although a small life jacket should be sufficient. 

The best life jackets have some additional material under the dog’s chest or belly to give them a buoyancy boost. 

Life jackets are a great buy even for puppies whose owners don’t have a pool in their own backyard as they can be worn by being invited to a pool party at someone else’s place. 

Buy and Install a Pool Alarm 

Puppies sometimes like their swimming lessons so much that they find their way through the fence gate and get into the pool without their owners or their life jackets. In these cases, pool alarms can literally be a lifesaver. 

There are many different types of pool alarms on the market, and some states require them by law. 

Buoy alarms will sound when something disturbs the surface of the water. The downside to this is that any movement near the pool area can trigger it. 

Other types of alarms have sensor technology attached to your dog’s collar, so you can be sure that your puppy is actually setting off the alarm. 

Learn Puppy CPR 

If any of the above tips fail and your dog ends up in the pool, knowing canine CPR could save its life. 

The researchers suggest that canine CPR education could reduce the number of pool-related deaths, and it could be helpful in several other situations. 

Check for pet first aid classes in your area or ask your dog trainer for a recommendation (if you have one).  

A day in the first aid classroom may not be as fun as a day at the pool, but it will ensure that you and your Vizsla can enjoy the water for many years. 

If a pool fence is not the best preferred route, consider the pool alarm. These devices detect movement in the water (without considering the water’s natural flow) and emit an alert. 

It is essential to note that a pool alarm is not a substitute for puppy owners’ supervision. One of these alarms will not prevent your Vizsla puppy from falling into the water, but it is designed to notify you if it does so you can take action.