Viewpoint: Regulate dog swimming pools
By Andrew Brownlie, Founder, Canine Dip and Dive
In 2018, my wife Jo and I opened Canine Dip and Dive, a swimming pool for dogs. It quickly became very popular and over the next few years we won awards, appeared on TV, radio, and in magazines and newspapers.
We launched a franchise and opened new pools, but at the same time, others copied what we were doing. Whereas our franchisees benefited from our experience and training, those copying us had no idea what they are doing.
We have seen footage of dogs being thrown into pools, dragged into the water by their leads, overcrowded pools with no staff in the pool, and nervous dogs forced in with no support.
Others simply make all dogs wear life jackets at all times so they don’t have to offer support and customers told if the dog gets in trouble, it’s up to you to save them. We’ve even had people tell us they had visited a pool and got rashes from the chemicals put in the water, simply from their dog shaking near them. The dogs then had skin problems.
Because of this, I decided something needs to be done to stop these people. If someone wants to start a dog business they have to be registered with a local authority and checks completed etc.
Anyone can open a pool and start accepting customers with no training, no checks and no regulation. It’s just not right.
Let’s not underestimate this. A dog or owner can drown in seconds, or be injured by incorrect or too strong levels of chemicals.
I have contacted the Kennel Club, RSPCA, Defra, and local MPs in Suffolk and none of them are interested in helping. I’m trying to get an exam in place to at least get a qualification out there and have even offered to write it, but again I can’t get any support.
In short, dog swimming pools should be regulated and monitored, those running pools should have a qualification and dogs and owners kept safe.
Is that too much to ask?
Do you agree the dog swimming pools need to be regulated and monitored? Let us know in the comments or email editorial@thecaninetimes.co.uk
The views and opinions expressed in this viewpoint are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Canine Times.
9 Comments
Jo
There are already Canine Hydrotherapy qualifications available which cover all aspects of dogs in pools. They do need regulating and anyone working in one should be a qualified Canine Hydrotherapist
Jo
There are already Canine Hydrotherapy qualifications available which cover all aspects of dogs in pools. They do need regulating and anyone working in one should be a qualified Canine Hydrotherapist
Jo
There are already Canine Hydrotherapy qualifications available which cover all aspects of dogs in pools. They do need regulating and anyone working in one should be a qualified Canine Hydrotherapist
Andrew Brownlie
Hi Jo.
The pools at Canine Dip and Dive do not offer hydrotherapy and are not heated medical pools, they are simply fun pools for fun exercise and to help nervous dogs overcome their fear of water. Hydrotherapy is quite specific and very different.
Andrew Brownlie
Hi Jo.
The pools at Canine Dip and Dive do not offer hydrotherapy and are not heated medical pools, they are simply fun pools for fun exercise and to help nervous dogs overcome their fear of water. Hydrotherapy is quite specific and very different.
Beverley Greasley
Yes, I definitely agree with the article saying dog swimming pools should be regulated. And it is disappointing to read that the author met with disinterest and lack of support at every avenue.
Dogs are living sentient beings, they have different physical abilities and levels, the young/old/vulnerable need additional care, not to mention the care and management that should be understood and acted upon for all the different types of doggie personalities and behaviours, and an extremely thorough knowledge of dog body language (fear, anxiousness, aggression, over arousal (over-excitement) – excitement levels too high = adrenaline and cortisol levels too high. Then there’s a high level of first aid required plus an wide knowledge of general signs of ill health, signs of injury or pain, or abnormal behaviour or abnormal physical signs. I could go on!
With reference to the other reader’s comment about hydrotherapy, that’s a different type of pool. There are now pools just for fun, nothing to do with physiotherapy. It’s the fun pools (which are a super idea if run properly, I’m sure my dog would have a great time!) that I would have thought should be regulated.
Best Regards, Beverley Greasley, (former Veterinary Nurse), Home Boarding, Day Care and Pet Services small business owner
Beverley Greasley
Yes, I definitely agree with the article saying dog swimming pools should be regulated. And it is disappointing to read that the author met with disinterest and lack of support at every avenue.
Dogs are living sentient beings, they have different physical abilities and levels, the young/old/vulnerable need additional care, not to mention the care and management that should be understood and acted upon for all the different types of doggie personalities and behaviours, and an extremely thorough knowledge of dog body language (fear, anxiousness, aggression, over arousal (over-excitement) – excitement levels too high = adrenaline and cortisol levels too high. Then there’s a high level of first aid required plus an wide knowledge of general signs of ill health, signs of injury or pain, or abnormal behaviour or abnormal physical signs. I could go on!
With reference to the other reader’s comment about hydrotherapy, that’s a different type of pool. There are now pools just for fun, nothing to do with physiotherapy. It’s the fun pools (which are a super idea if run properly, I’m sure my dog would have a great time!) that I would have thought should be regulated.
Best Regards, Beverley Greasley, (former Veterinary Nurse), Home Boarding, Day Care and Pet Services small business owner
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