Frequently Asked Questions

The temperature ranges from 83 to 90 degrees, depending on the dog. For elderly dogs who do not swim for a long period of time, the water may be warmer because they will spend more time soaking in the water than swimming. For a strong swimmer who comes primarily for exercise, or for cold weather breeds, we turn the temperature down.

We don’t encourage any dog to drink the pool water and have a bowl of fresh water out at all times. However, if your dog swallows some pool water, it is okay.

No. We use a state of the art UV light system for disinfection, with small amounts of hydrogen peroxide. There is no chemical smell or taste to the pool.

The pool is 8 feet by 20 feet and is 4.5 feet deep at all points.

We do not require a formal referral directly from your vet, but we highly encourage you to consult your vet to ensure that swimming is appropriate for your dog. He or she knows your dog best.

No. We prefer all dogs to be vaccinated against rabies. Your dog will never come in contact with another dog at the pool, however, and many dogs can’t be vaccinated for health reasons. Thus we accept dogs without vaccinations.

For your first session, please download and bring two completed forms: Client Information Form [Word doc] and Release[pdf].

You may want to bring a towel for your dog to lay on in your car, as well. We will dry your dog when he or she comes out of the water, but it is hard to get a dog 100% dry that quickly.

DO NOT feed your dog within two hours of swimming. Please brush your dog within a day of coming to swim. And please be sure to give your dog a chance to go to the bathroom immediately before you enter the pool room. There is space in the yard to do so.

Some dogs swim twice a week and many swim once a week, depending on the reason they come to swim. For dogs with less acute issues, once every two weeks may be appropriate.

You can pay for a single swim session or a discounted 6 session swim package. See rates for the current prices.

The "load" on the pool is greater for extremely large dogs, such as Newfoundlands, due to the additional hair and oil that is shed in the pool. The bigger organic load requires more cleaning and maintenance of the pool and the filters, which results in added expense.

Laurie and your dog are in the pool together. Your dog is never in the pool alone.

No, only Laurie and your dog will be in the pool.

Absolutely! Swim sessions are a partnership between your dog, you and Laurie. Many dogs like for their person to stay nearby and many people enjoy watching their dog swim. Sometimes a dog will do better without their person present, but that is a decision that would be made in consultation with you if an issue arises.

We allocate one hour for each session, but the actual time in the pool varies depending on the dog. See our Swimming page for details about a typical session.

Some dogs are natural water dogs and other dogs are not. However, most dogs will overcome their fear of the water if they are given time to adjust to the new environment of the pool and we are patient in helping them overcome their fear or nervousness. Your dog’s emotional well-being is as important as his physical well-being, and some dogs need more time to feel safe in the water before they can swim.

No. Some breeds are not natural swimmers and some, like boxers and bulldogs, have a physique that is not ideal for swimming. We can teach most dogs to swim, however. And for breeds that don’t float or swim easily, they can swim with Laurie giving a gentle assist in the pool.

As a general rule, we do not use life jackets. Most dogs, when properly assisted, can swim. We have life jackets in all sizes, however, for those dogs that truly need them.

Yes – but it is imperative that you tell us about the incontinence before you come so that we can take precautions, as accidents in the pool require a complete water change. We have doggie diapers for the pool and can express bladder and bowels prior to entering the pool to prevent accidents. Failure to inform us about incontinence will result in a $300 charge if your dog poops in the pool.

The water can be invigorating so dogs are often energetic and playful when they come out of the water. Almost immediately after exiting the pool, most dogs need to urinate. Not long after the session is over, they will likely take a giant nap.

To read about how swimming may benefit your dog, see the Benefits of Warm Water on the website of the Association of Canine Water Therapy.