swimming pools - Page 2

For the record, when you swim in a salt water pool it isn't like swimming in salty water and isn't corrosive. The system converts the salt into a mild form of chlorine. It doesn't taste at all salty and it doesn't smell like traditional chlorine.  When we get out of the pool our hair is very soft and there is no where near the dried out feeling that happens with a chlorine pool. The dogs don't itch from it and their coats don't dry out.

Maybe ours is a different system than some of you are referring to, but, there is only actual salt when it is put into the system.  The salt never makes it to the pool itself until it's converted to chlorine.  Just thought I would put that information out there.

Brent, There is a big difference between a salt water pool..manmade and the natural of the ocean.When it was allowed way back when..when I had my first GSD.You could take a dog to the beach.Year??? haha 1970.Hans loved the beach!There were no condo's back then.He could run as fast as he wanted to.What a work out for him in the sand but that was his decision.He loved watching and running and snapping at the white foam when the waves came in and saw others and swam to them.Well I did too!! haha. He ingested alot of salt water.Both he and I enjoyed swimming with the dolphins.I ingested salt water as well if there was a peak wave coming in even way out.The salt didnt hurt us at all.I always brought a jug of water so we both could have a drink afterwards.Then the three mile treck back home.The ocean salt didnt dry his skin nor mine.His skin got dry because my parents insisted he need a bath often because he smelled like a dog.I loved his odor.Hodie, In ref to algae(many species)..which do produce oxygen.Yes I would be leary to swim dogs in a pond/lake if it is not a free moving one..... etc

When I lived at Aguadilla, Puerto Rico in 85-86, my dogs swam in the Ocean every day with me. This was their swimming pool for the last 6 yrs. Now, we have none.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpwJ6irHGak

I just wondered if the salt burnt their eye's as it does mine.  I know chlorine is hard on my eye's.

Beyond that I hose mine off after a swim in the river, then I hit the shower myself.   Our river's are anything but clean sadly.

The best  $11.88 I've spent this year was for the plastic kiddy pool..

Indy is attempting to learn snorkeling.

If your son knows his dog and his eyes bother him with the salt..just tell him to rinse his eyes as well as his dog.I think I did that way back when as well.So Indy is snorkeling.Glad that you got him a kiddie pool.he will have fun!!I'll bet that he loves to dive his nose into the water when you think he is going to just lap off of the surface.What he is doing is sucking water underneath and just coming up with maybe a lick on top of the water.Right?There is no need to sterilize//sanitize his pool.Turn it over once in a while and rinse it out.I like to keep a hose slightly running so the water overflows.The birds etc come for a drink or two.The overflowing takes their waste over the edge of the pool.A dog snorkeling is a good dog althou some farmers of 80 yrs ago may disagree.A dog that just laps on the water and has no interest of water has no wolf sense.All breeds stem from the wolf and cross breeding of to suit a purpose to work given the geographical area at that time.I wont go into detail...boring.!!Have fun with that 11.88 purchase..sit back and watch.If you have more tha one gsd..you may have to purchase another.Territory of water of a dog with good wolf sense is important.It is genetic re-call...not on paper//nor title.

ABHAY!! WHERE is that dog's lifejacket/knee pads/elbow pads/bicycle helmet????

I live by a lake and after swimming my dogs, I still rinse them real well.  I would do the same with the pool.  Swimming according to orthopedic surgeon is the best exercise without over stressing joints.  Just make sure they can get in and out easily.

Dawgs, You are absolutely right.  I realize these water sports can wreck a dog's confidence. I really believe he came through the ordeal alright. He was 14yrs then. Now that he is 15, he seems to have forgotten it all.  Next time, I will suit my dogs in the proper attire.