Pool Ramps or Stairs for Little Dogs

[knightrider922]

This weekend I went to my friend’s pool and she told me that her toy yorkie had jumped in the pool without anyone there to help her get out. This is apparently unusual behavior for the dog as my friend has never seen her jump in unless people were at the pool at the same time. Obviously this scared her because the dog is far to small to get out.

Any suggestions on a ramp or a set of stairs that a small dog could swim to and navigate? Do they work well and do the dogs use them?

My suggestion was to put chicken or garden wire around the metal fence so the dog can’t get in the pool area, but she doesn’t want to do that. This would be the next best thing. There are plenty of things available, but what have you seen that works well or that you like?

[S1969]

Well, they make dog ramps for pools if she doesn’t want to fence the dog out, but it doesn’t mean it couldn’t still drown. I would recommend that she get a pool alarm as well.

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/gamma-skamper-ramp-pool-ramp-for-pets

[sisu27]

We have this problem with our Terrier and after looking at what was available I thought that using a shelf from one of those plastic, modular shelves and some PVC pipes I could make something. Perhaps wrap with a rubber membrane. I also wondered if milk crates could be used…

She has somewhat figured out the ladder but it worries me. She’s mental about water. We don’t leave her out near the pool by herself.

The ramp shown by @S1969 looks pretty cool and it’s cheap but I also would still be worried with a Yorkie.

[csaper58]

Cheap DIY doggie pool ramp. You do need to show the pet where it is and how to use it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx1Lkj-IepU

Here is a standard poodle using a similar ramp

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlEG8mSWbWQ