Questions about allowing doodles in the pool

[Taylor & Huff]

Taylor and I want to allow Huff in the pool, so he dosen't run his paw pads raw again (running a round and around the pool). My mom doesn't want to let him in because she thinks he has too many germs even though we wash him very well once a week. My dad wants to let him in the pool but is afraid his hair will clog the filter. Getting a kiddiepool is out of the question because my mom thinks we won't keep it clean.

I want to see Huff swim and would like to swim with him. The only time I have seen him swim was for a few seconds when he fell in, he swam out. My dad also thinks that he will be so afraid of the water that he will express his anals in the pool (VERY unlikley if he gets in on his own). HE wants to get in with us so bad but my parents tie him up. If we try to get him in without telling them they get mad at us.

How can we convince them to let Huff in the pool?

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Tell them all the other doodles do it!

Show them the video on main page of Sophie & Holly by Richard crowe!!

[Taylor & Huff]

I keep telling them that all doodles swim and I have never once heard of their hair clogging the filter.

[Adina P]

If your pool is chlorinated I don't think the 'germs' are a big issue.  The germs are no more of a big deal than what you contact in your dog grooming business.

[Taylor & Huff]

My mom says he has a lot of  germs on him but he is like the cleanest dog in my town.

[Adina P]

There's lots of germs on everything...that's what the chlorine in pools is for.

[Donna K & Quincy]

I don't know how to convince your parents but it's sad that he can't get in the pool with you. I doubt enough hair would come off him to clog the pool filter and wouldn't checking it a little more ofter solve that, as for the expressing the anal glands, I have never heard of such a thing, and the germs, well that's why they put all those chemicals in pools. Good luck with this.

[Taylor & Huff]

I relize the anal gland thing is stupid and chemicals are supposed to kill germs. And he barely sheds. There was one golden retreiver who came to our shop for a shave down because his hair clogged the filter, but Huff sheds MUCH less than a golden retreiver.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Swimming is such good exercise!!  He will be fine!!  Doodles aren't germy and he won't shed enough to clog the filter... maybe you can offer to help clean the pool in exchange??

[Taylor & Huff]

We never have time to clean the pool but we have someone attend to it about once to twice a month.

I always get hungry when I swim so maybe Huff will finally eat all his dinner.

[Lee Seidman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gan-2iHQhWA

(paste link above).....Billy swims all year long several times a day. We watch him and swim with him whenever possible.  He loves it and why stop............he leaves the pool when he has to potty, he goes to his place in the yard, does his business and comes back in the pool, the pool filter requires regular cleaning, not a problem.  Lexi loves the water but not the pool.  She plays, runs, gets soaked but will only wade out in the shallow end. Swimming is genetic,  we tried to stop Billy for a while, but it was impossible,  he loves to swim and it keeps him lean and solid. We wash off the chlorine every day or two and dry him when he is out of the water.  He waits by the door  for us to dry him and knows he cannot come into the house wet.

I love it,  it is a joy to see them have play time, they get along so well and I believe it is partially due to us giving them some space of their own. The chlorine kills any germs and I believe he stays cleaner by swimming.  I am more concerned about the grandchild polluting then him. Don't listen to your husband....send him to work and let the pup swim!

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

Look at him go!!! I wish we had a pool for Lola!!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Taylor, you got married? Just kidding-saw the reference to your husband. I checked this out as best as I could and the only thing you might get from Huff is Giardia if he had it. The cysts can survive the pool. So on my humble medical opinion it's OK to let Huff in the pool.