Water Dog Toys

When temperatures increase in summer, it doesn't just get unpleasantly hot for us humans at times. Dogs are also affected by the heat. With a dog pool, you can offer your four-legged friend chance to cool down. Water toys provide extra fun.

To make setting up a dog pool as easy as possible, choose one that you don't have to blow up. Such pools are usually made of PVC or another sturdy plastic. Walls reinforced with MDF panels ensure even better durability. The advantage of collapsible pools is that they can be easily stored and also used on the move, such as on camping holidays. If you choose a dog pool with an anti-slip coating, you benefit from additional safety for your dog.

The dog pool should be at least large enough for the dog to be able to lie in comfortably stretched out to its full length without bumping the edges. There's no harm in the diameter being double or even triple the length of the dog's body – it's even beneficial. This gives small dogs the possibility to paddle unhindered. You can use the following dimensions as guidance:

• Diameter = 80cm and height = 20cm for small dogs

• Diameter = 120cm and height = 30cm for medium dogs

• Diameter = 160cm and height = 30cm or more for large dogs

The issue of dogs getting used to a pool only rarely raises its head – dogs need no convincing if they want to cool off. If your four-legged friend isn't up for cool water, there's no reason for persuasion. It's different if you wish to use the pool to give your dog a bath. If your dog isn't keen, sit or stand in the pool yourself and hold a tasty dog treat in your hand.

If possible, change the water in a dog pool every day. This is no great effort for you, since most pools have a water drain. It may be necessary to slightly lift the pool at one side just to get rid of the last few litres of water. You don't have to let the water just drain away, but can use it to water the lawn, hedges or bushes in the garden. To fill the pool, you just need to hold a garden hose inside it. When cleaning, scrub the pool inside with a bush and rinse out the loosened dirt with a jet of water.

Water toys make pool time more varied for dogs – younger dogs particularly enjoy them. Water toys range from water balls, sticks and frisbees to plastic bones and rings. Another tip: A large dog pool offers so much space that a smaller dog and one to two children can play together in the water.