Here’s something you won’t find on our price sheet: our techs love dogs. Big or small, calm or excited, we’re happy to see them all. If your dog comes running when our truck pulls up, you’re in good company.
Pool service means we’re in a lot of backyards every week. And a lot of those backyards come with a four-legged supervisor. Over time, those dogs stop being strangers. They become part of the route.
Pool Day Is Dog Day
For some dogs, pool day is the best day of the week. They hear the gate, they see the tech, and the tail starts going. Some bring a ball and drop it at our feet. Some follow the tech from the skimmer to the equipment pad and back again, checking every step. A few just flop down in the shade and watch to make sure the tech is doing a good job cleaning the pool.
We don’t mind. Honestly, it’s one of the best parts of the job.
Our customers notice it too. One Peoria customer, Rich H., wrote that his tech William is “very good with our dog, who gets excited every time William is here.” Out in Goodyear, Ed B. said Corwyn “is very easy to talk to plus my dogs love him.” When a dog is that happy to see the pool guy, you know the visit is going well.
Yes, Some of Our Techs Carry Treats
We’ll admit it. Some of our techs keep dog treats in the truck. It started with one or two of them, and it caught on.
A treat goes a long way with a dog that’s not sure about a stranger in its yard. After a couple of visits, that same dog is waiting at the gate. If your dog has allergies or a special diet, just let us know and we’ll keep the treats in our pocket. We always check with you first.
The Tech Who Became a Dog Trainer
This one is our favorite story.
One of our service techs has a regular customer with a friendly, eager dog. Every week, while he was there to clean the pool, the dog would follow him around, hoping for attention. So he started teaching it something.
The first week, it was “shake.” The dog figured it out fast. The next week, he worked on “roll over.” After that, a new command every visit. Week by week, the dog picked up a whole handful of new tricks.
Now the dog waits for pool day like it’s school day. It knows the tech will show up, check the water, clean the pool, and then spend a couple of minutes on the next lesson. The dog loves the attention. The customer loves it even more. It’s hard not to smile when your pool guy is also teaching your dog to shake hands.
We can’t promise every tech will teach your dog a new trick. But we can promise they’ll be glad to see them.
Dogs and Pools: A Few Tips From the People Who Clean Them
Since we’re in so many dog-friendly backyards, we’ve picked up a few things along the way. Here’s what we’d tell any dog owner with a pool in Arizona.
Show your dog where the steps are
A dog that falls into a pool may not know how to get out. They’ll paddle along the wall looking for a way up, and that wears them out fast. Take a few minutes to walk your dog into the pool from the steps, then guide them back out. Do it a few times until they know where the exit is. If your pool doesn’t have easy steps, a dog ramp that hangs over the edge can help.
Keep the gate closed
A pool fence or a self-closing gate isn’t just for kids. It keeps curious dogs out when no one is watching. When we leave, we always make sure the gate is shut behind us. If we ever notice a gate that doesn’t latch right, we’ll let you know.
Don’t let them drink too much pool water
A few laps while swimming won’t hurt most dogs. But pool water isn’t meant to be a water bowl, especially right after the pool has been shocked. Keep a bowl of fresh water out by the pool, and most dogs will go for that instead. That matters even more in Phoenix summer heat.
Watch the hot deck
Pool decks in July can get hot enough to hurt a dog’s paws. If it’s too hot for your bare feet, it’s too hot for theirs. Cool mornings and evenings are the best time for pool play. Shaded spots and a quick rinse with the hose help too.
Rinse them off after a swim
Chlorine and salt can dry out a dog’s skin and coat. A quick rinse with fresh water after a swim keeps them comfortable.
Expect a little more work for the pool
Dogs that swim bring in dirt, hair, and the occasional leaf stuck to their fur. That’s no problem, but it does mean the skimmer basket and filter fill up faster. Dog hair can clog a filter over time, and dogs add to the load the chlorine has to handle. If your dog is a regular swimmer, tell us. We’ll keep a closer eye on the filter and the water balance on each visit.
Not every dog is a strong swimmer
It’s easy to assume all dogs can swim. Many can’t, at least not well. Dogs with short legs and long bodies, like dachshunds and corgis, tire out fast. Dogs with big chests and short snouts, like bulldogs and pugs, can struggle to keep their heads up. Older dogs and puppies wear out quickly too. If your dog falls into one of those groups, a dog life vest is a smart buy, and so is keeping them out of the pool area unless someone is watching.
Keep pool chemicals out of reach
Chlorine, acid, and other pool chemicals are not something you want a curious nose getting into. The good news for our customers is that we bring everything with us and take it with us when we leave. You don’t have to store any pool chemicals where your dog can find them. If you keep your own supplies on hand, store them up high or in a locked shed.
After a pool has been shocked, the chlorine level is high for a while. We’ll note it in your emailed report so you know when it’s back to normal for swimmers, whether they have two legs or four.
A Friendly Note About Protective Dogs
We love dogs, but we also know not every dog loves strangers. Some dogs are just doing their job protecting the family. That’s okay.
If your dog tends to be aggressive or nervous around new people, we’d appreciate it if you keep them inside during our service visit. A spot behind a fence or gate, away from the pool area, works too. That keeps our tech safe while they’re working in your backyard, and it keeps your dog calm.
If your schedule changes and your dog will be out on pool day, just give us a heads-up. You can call us at (623) 526-4945. We’ll work it out together. We’d much rather plan ahead than surprise anyone, dog or tech.
Tell Us About Your Dog
When you sign up for service, let us know if you have a dog. Tell us their name, whether they’re friendly with visitors, and anything we should know, like allergies or a habit of slipping out the gate. We’ll pass it along to your tech so they know who’s going to greet them.
Some of our customers tell us their dog’s name before they tell us about their pool. We think that’s a pretty good sign.
Common Questions From Dog Owners
Can my dog swim in a salt pool?
Most dogs can swim in a salt pool just fine. A salt pool is much less salty than the ocean. Still, rinse them off afterward and keep fresh drinking water nearby so they don’t lap up pool water.
My dog chewed the pool cleaner hose. Can you fix it?
It happens more than you’d think. Pool cleaner hoses, floats, and skimmer lids all make tempting chew toys. We can repair or replace the damaged parts. Just mention it when you call.
Will my dog’s hair hurt the pool equipment?
Not if the filter is kept clean. Dog hair ends up in the skimmer and the filter, and that’s what we clean on every visit. If you have a heavy shedder that swims a lot, we may need to clean the filter more often.
Pool Care for Dog Families
If you’re looking for a pool service that’s happy to work around your dog, we’d love to meet you both. We offer weekly pool cleaning all over the Phoenix area, with an emailed report after every visit. You can see all the areas we cover on our service areas page, from Peoria to Goodyear and beyond.
Ready to get started? Request an estimate and tell us about your pool, and your dog. Treats may be involved.
