Paddling pool? For dogs?

missprice

Need a paddling pool for dogs this summer.

Any recommendations, it's for two German shepherds,

I don't know whether to go for folding ones or rigid or sandpit like.

Happy to have two, there is enough room in garden for two but they often share things like toys so maybe a really large one. Storage not a big problem either although rigid ones will have to be left outside.

And of course do I spend a fortune and hope they last more than a year, or buy a new cheapo one every year?

Or has one of you a cheat? I looked at garage drip trays but they don't appear very deep, but then I don't need so much depth. Argh

krlyr

A few years ago, I buried a rigid pond liner in the dogs' part of the garden. The shelf around the edge (meant for putting plants on I think) was a handy step down for them, and it came with a drainage hole which meant when it was dirty or not needed any more, I could just let it drain away, and I didn't have to tip water out all over the garden.

It did require a big hole though (thank you, strong relatives who pitched in!) and wasn't the prettiest - but it was at the back of their fenced in bit of garden that looked a bit of a mess anyway due to the lack of grass, 'prison' fencing (fence climber of a dog) etc.

krlyr

Here's a video of it in use - it was very muddy here, as the digging of the hole resulted (and the death of all the grass in that area) in lots of loose dirt at first. It wasn't so bad when it was full up, and you'd probably be fine if the area had more grass (or you could perhaps astroturf around it)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFDeXeK2yU8

The Rottie x is my cheeky girl who learnt how to pull the plug out though! You see her grab it before she runs off with it. I ended up putting a rubber car mat in the bottom to stop her.

GwylimT

We use a rigid one as we found our dogs claws puncture the inflattable ones. We just use a kiddy one, its shell shaped.

anna42hmr

we also have a shell rigid shaped plastic one for our german shepherd, she loves it, but if yours are anything like mine be aware that they may scratch at the floor when flicking and kicking the water out of it (her favourite game of it, and woe betide any one who gets near her when she's in it as we get as wet as she does if you get too close!). Ours came in two halves, so can have them both as pools or as we do use one shell as a cover.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Could you build a proper pond for them? That way, it's sunken into the ground, looks a bit prettier and you can add various rocks and plants, etc, so that wildlife can make use of it without risking being drowned from being unable to get out again. If you get a proper ecosystem going, the water (and the dogs) won't smell as bad as pool water does after a couple of days, too.

And you could create a handy surface for you to sit with your feet dangling in whilst sipping a G&T on a summer's day.

missprice

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

Could you build a proper pond for them? That way, it's sunken into the ground, looks a bit prettier and you can add various rocks and plants, etc, so that wildlife can make use of it without risking being drowned from being unable to get out again. If you get a proper ecosystem going, the water (and the dogs) won't smell as bad as pool water does after a couple of days, too.

And you could create a handy surface for you to sit with your feet dangling in whilst sipping a G&T on a summer's day.

I don't think I could. Various reasons including a baby due soon ( not mine, a grandchild) and a toddler visiting occasionally and the garden on 2 levels and moving a shed would be necessary and OH wants to extend the garage etc.

I was hoping to put the pool on the paved top bit of garden next to the bench ( where I could sit and dangle my feet 😸
It/ they will be filled from the water butt so a saving. And if they are rigid they will be stored down the side of the garage which is much easier to reach from the top garden, it's much much higher from bottom of garden plus the extension possibility.
Having said all that I will see if it's a possibility thanks