Pool Alarm for your Dog?

Does anyone out there use a pool alarm for their dog? My West Highland Terrier will be going down to our home in Florida soon and she has never seen a pool before….I am a bit concerned that every time I go to the bathroom I will be dragging her with me, just to make sure she is OK!!!

I was "googleing" pet pool alarms and got some info on the Turtle alarms you attach to their collars, however the consumer websites were not that complimentary about them…does anyone have a pet pool alarm they like? Don’t like? Any info you have would be appreciated!

The one I've heard is the best is the one that attaches to the pool and alarms you if the water level has moved. I don't have a pool though, so I don't have any personal experience...

Somebody a long while back posted about their neighbors dog almost drowning in their pool.. Scary stuff.

Prinn, I know...scary stuff! We don't have a pool at our home in Ontario so she is not accustomed to them...this new home has an inground pool (there are stairs,not a ladder...which I guess is a good thing)

I did see that motion alarm on a website-the one that attaches to the side of the pool and the alarm goes off if the water is disturbed. Costs about $850 US...but who cares when it is the safety of your dog you are talking about.

My only concern with that alarm, was what I had read on a feedback website ...there were a few comments from folks who didn't like them, as they didn't seem sensitive enough for a small dog (sounds like it has to be a pretty BIG splash to set off the alarm)

Anyone else have any experience with pool alarms?

instead of an alarm (which could malfunction, be turned off, forgotten etc) could you teach your dog to swim/find the stairs? That is what we did. Our pool has stairs too and it was fairly easy to teach our dog how to find them. He was just a puppy and we were scared he would fall in... but now I know he is able to get himself out safely. Also- they sell dog lifejackets. Your dog could wear one when he is out near the pool.

I bet if you spend some time when you first move there, you can easily train her to NOT go in the pool. My mom has an inground pool, and her dog isn't allowed in it because it's a liner pool, and if the dog's claw puts a hole in the liner, it's a very expensive fix. I even bring my dog over there for bbq's and he learned quickly it's off limits.

I like phoenix's idea about the life-jackets though. you could put it on if you had to leave her unsupervised for a short amount of time, and were worried.

Here’s one product. http://www.safetyturtle.com/index.html

Here’s an ‘epinion’ link about the product also: http://www.epinions.com/content_185604804228

The caution at vendors site is that it is a “Safety Turtle is an effective "last line of defense" to protect your children.” and the epinion also states that “Keep in mind that the Turtle Alarm System is not a 100% substitute for your vigilance”.