Best Pool Ladders For Dogs– Reviews & Buying Guide
Only those of us who have pet dogs at home know what they mean to our family. Our children adore the dog at home and consider them, without an iota of doubt in their minds, that they form an integral part of the nucleus of the family. This singular fact alone is ample enough to integrate our dog into everything that we do around our homes. We should not confuse our pet dogs with guard dogs because though they are both two sides of the same coin one could be cheese and the other chalk.
A pet dog interacts not only with those in the household but with neighbors, friends, relatives and all those who would come into our homes with good intentions. Even pet dogs could get aggressive and attack if they feel threatened or any of the family members are in danger from others. It is this attitude they display which makes the dog in our home an important component of our household. To build on that relationship it is imperative that we closely interact with our dog at home.
The bond built between those in the household and the pet dog could be everlasting and firmer than even human relationships, that is the value a dog holds in its heart for all those they love. We too would need to reciprocate that love and it may not be sufficient to only feed the dog other ways of showing love that it understands would also be paramount. The human to dog and vice versa relationship has been perennially recorded as an unbreakable bond. Creating the perfect environment to build on such a relationship is important because the dog cannot speak but would show appreciation in many other ways
We could show love and gratitude by engaging with our dog and entertaining it among us as often as possible. Most of us in the United States have swimming pools in our backyards. Since the above ground pools were introduced swimming pools which were considered a luxury amenity in a home has made a welcome change. The advent of the above ground pools and the flexibility it has in installing and maintenance has proliferated it around the country and elsewhere around the world.
Above ground pools have given us a great opportunity to interact with our loved ones which includes even the dog in our homes always considered a very integral part of the family. Once we have selected the above ground pool that we would have, it would be prudent to think of our dog too and give its due place in our family hierarchy. Considering our dog as an equal would not be lost on it. It would expect the same access that we have to the pool to be provided to it too.
To facilitate access to the dog in and out of the pool a specially designed pool ladder for dogs would be you one of your best options. These pool ladders for dogs may be slightly different to what we may use to gain access in and out of the pool. We look at the different types of ladders, steps and ramps for dogs which would easily facilitate their access.
How to select the best Pool ladders for dogs
The first criteria to consider would be the breed of dog you would have as a pet. If you have more than one dog then it would be prudent to take into consideration their sizes in relation to their breeds. If it is a pool ladder for dogs that you would like to install onto your above ground pool it should ensure your dog does not slip on the rungs and hurt itself. The rungs should be adequately spaced and also broad enough to ensure easy access up and down. Dogs have thin limbs and are susceptible to injury if they get entangled between the rungs.
Hence it is imperative that you consider every scenario before you would get your dog to use the pool ladder for dog and guide it through for some time till it has control on the access. We know dogs learn fast but still this could be a totally new experience for your pet and it would be best that adequate guidance is provided to them.
Provide a firm grip to their dainty paws which could be rubberized rungs or any other material which would have anti-slipping properties and most of all be safe for dogs. The angle of the pool ladder for dogs with the ground would also be a point of contention because unlike us a vertical access would be difficult for them. It is recommended that the pool ladder for dogs sits at an angle of 45 degrees with the side of the above ground pool. This slanted position of the pool ladder for dogs would facilitate easy and convenient access in and out of the pool for your dog. Guide your dog up the pool ladder for dogs as numerous times as you can until it is very comfortable and masters the access.
What are Dog Ramps for Pool?
Ramps for dogs are broad boards on which you dog could walk through to the pool without any effort. The space needed to install a ramp for dog could be comparative larger than if you would install a pool ladder for dogs. If you have limited space around your above ground pool then it would be a pool ladder for dogs and unfortunately not a ramp for dogs that you could install. Ramps for dogs are made of many materials and could be wood, acrylic, polyester, polyethylene or even reinforced plastic.
On the contrary ramps for dogs in comparison to pool ladders for dogs would be a better and very much safer option. This is due to the fact that they would be treading on a firma terrain within a broader space rather than the limited confines of a pool ladder for dog. The other inherent advantage that a ramp for dog has is the slant or angle of the ramp hence facilitating easy movement for your dog. The ramp for dog would generally be from an elevated position like a deck or someplace similar.
Similar to non-slipping rungs on a pool ladder for dogs the ramp for dogs should also be bestowed with anti-slipping access to the dog. It is imperative that your dog’s safety is always taken into consideration and whether it is a pool ladder for dogs or ramps for dog safety should be paramount. Deviating from the the very important aspect of safety could pose danger to your dog which has to be avoided at all costs.
Why Install a Pool Ramp for Dogs?
Safety is always a primary concern for whosoever uses a pool whether it be an in-ground or above ground. Whilst access in and out of an in-ground swimming pool could be easy the same cannot be said of an above ground pool. Towering at a height of around five feet or more we and our dogs would need to scale the side easily and conveniently. Whilst pool ladders would be an inexpensive option for us using a pool ladder for dogs would need to be given careful thought. Dogs could slip on the rungs and to avoid any such calamity the choice has been to provide ramps for dogs. Your dog needs love and that too, loads of it if it is to be a lovable pet around your home. Neglecting it could have detrimental effects to everyone within the household.
Ramps for dogs would definitely give your dog a firm foot hold getting into the pool from a higher elevation but it would be another issue to leave the water and get onto the ramp. To ensure this too is well facilitated a good o[ption would be to provide stairs for dogs inside the pool. The stairs for dogs could also double up as a place of resting when your dog is tired after frolicking inside the pool. Another advantage of providing pool ramps for dogs would ensure your dog would be easily coerced into the pool without much ado. It is also necessary that you design your pool with your dog in mind because it would be easy if you do it initially. Trying to accommodate your dog after you have completed your above ground it could cost you more to make the required adjustments.
If dogs have restricted access into above ground pools without an easy move around ramp for dogs your dog could be effectively kept out of the family fun which it is not going to like. The more interaction you could have with dogs it would be best to build that inseparable between your household and the dog. Dogs don’t like to be kept out of the fun that other family members would indulge in. There has been irrational behavior recorded in dogs when they are psychologically affected. It is our prerogative to ensure such an instance does not occur and bring our dogs and keep them in our fold as often as we can. If you are contemplating of installing an above ground pool a ramp for dog would be your best option.
Is Your Pool Area Pet Safe?
Since the above ground pool proliferated around the country there have been many accidents. These have not been limited only to humans but have involved pets too. Delving into these accidents the regulatory authorities have promulgated certain laws to ensure optimum safety around the pool area whether it is an in-ground or above ground pool. Priority has been given to unaccompanied children and unattended pets. Both are vulnerable to accidents hence every aspect has been looked into and corrective measures implemented. Whilst some are legislated it is our onus too to ensure safety is given top priority around our pool area.
Compared to pool ladders for dogs another safer option would be to provide pool steps for dogs which would facilitate better footing and grip when the dog wants to move in and out of the above ground pool. Safety has moved into a better dimension with the availability of above ground pool steps for dogs which are design engineered to move in and out of the pool easily. We love our dogs and they are always considered as “man’s best friend” but if we are to drive that home into our canine friends it is imperative that we show it to them by our actions. Keeping them safe especially around the pool area is a very important task bestowed on us.
Training on a Dog Pool Ramp
It is training that makes perfect and it is our duty to ensure that our dog enjoys its new found access into the above ground pool if you have not had one before. The ramps for dogs are a better option and also easy to train them on rather than a pool ladder for dogs or pool steps for dogs. Compared to the latter two the former provides a better grip for the little paws of your dog. To train your dog to use the pool ramps for dogs it is imperative that it is taken through the process of accessing the pool and getting out of it on a regular basis.
Once your dog knows it is safe on the pool ramps for dogs it would use the ramp more than a step or a ladder. Dogs like us need to know they are safe before they would venture out to attempt anything new. We should not force the dog to attempt anything it should be gradually coerced into it. If your dog initially refuses to use the ramps for dogs let it be because eventually it would fall in line. If you have a ramp which you would be using try taking the dog also on that. Get that fear and apprehensiveness which the dog would have slowly out of its system.
A few days of training on the pool ramps for dogs would get it off from its inherent fear but till then never try to force it. If your dog does not like it let it be because time will eventually get the better of your efforts. Dogs are very sensitive animals as they are domesticated and hence our approach to them should be tactful and prudent.