How to Train Your Dog to Stay Out of a Pool

You can use a garden hose to block off an outdoor area while training. However, use one you won't have to move each day to fill the dog's water bowl. Rope or painter's tape will work as well, as long as you can secure it well enough to handle any weather elements. Either way, find a way to temporarily draw a visible boundary line.

Once you have your line drawn or taped, cross that yourself and stand on the opposite side of the line from your dog.

If your dog crosses the line, use a simple keyword like 'ah ah,' and say, 'no pool.'

When your dog stops at the sound of your voice and stays on his side of the boundary line, offer him a treat and verbal praise.

Walk along the perimeter of your line, letting your dog know every few steps he is not to cross it by giving him a treat. If he does appear to stop and get closer to you, redirect him again. Every few steps, if your dog stays on the correct side of the taped boundary line, offer him a treat and verbal praise.

Practice this in short sessions each day. Your dog will begin to understand there is a line that he is not supposed to cross. On days you wish for your dog to swim in the pool with you, if this is something you do, be sure to remove the tape or the rope so your dog is not crossing over a line he has learned not to cross over.

As a reward, let your dog swim with you every now and then if this is something you choose to do. But set your boundaries so that your dog knows he can only swim when there is no boundary line drawn and when you are in the pool and have invited him to come in with you.

You can install a safety fence for your pool. A proper fence will have a self-latching gate to keep children and pets out. You'll need a fence that is tall enough for your dog to not jump over. And you will also need a fence with slats that are narrow enough for small breeds to not fit through. Temporary fencing can also go up around your pool to keep your dog out.

Covering your pool, especially for pools in cooler climates over winter months when the pool is used less frequently, can prevent your dog from falling in accidentally. But you can also choose a cover that you can roll over your pool each day you don't want your dog in the pool. Be sure not to cover your pool with something like a tarp that your dog could fall on and become injured or drown.

You could also place a motion sensor near your pool that will sound an alarm when that space is crossed by your dog. Over time, this alarm may deter your dog from crossing the invisible line anyway. Motion sensors can also be placed inside your pool to detect water movement.

When your dog is outside, play with him and enjoy his daily walks around your yard. Your interaction with him could keep him away from the pool.

While you are outside with your dog walking the yard but away from the pool, if your dog goes near the pool, redirect him with a command such as 'leave it.' Anytime your dog goes near the pool you can also use the command to sit, asking him to stay still in one place so he isn't tempted to jump in.

Teach your dog 'leave it' first after he has learned all of his basic commands such as Sit, Stay, and Come.

Take your dog on a leash near the pool but don't pass too closely. As you pass near the pool, use the command to leave it.

Practice this several times until you can say 'leave it' and your dog shows no interest in the pool.

Repeat the steps above off-leash asking your dog to 'leave it' as you pass by the pool.

Be sure to offer your dog treats for a job well done when he is on the leash and off leash if he ignores the pool after hearing your command to leave it.

Continue to repeat these steps above until any time you are near the pool or you catch your dog near the pool he responds to the 'leave it' command by stepping away from the pool.

If you let your dog in the pool by invitation, get in and swim with your dog as often as you can so that he understands he's allowed to be in the pooll just not unless he is invited.