PLEASE HELP- Urgent

[Steve2255]

Hello, I am new to these forums. I am 17 years old and my family has a 12 year old jack russel terrier who we have owned from a pup. In recent years her vision has began to go which is to be expected of a dog getting up there in age. Dont get me wrong, she can see, just not so well.

We have a back patio and as floridians, a pool. This is one of her favorite places to lay and sunbathe however just within the last month or so she has started falling into the pool regularly. She never liked swimming and cannot grasp the concept of using the stairs to get out. when she falls in she just flails hopelessly at the wall trying to pull herself out.

My sister and i have already tried walking her out to where she usually falls in and then having the other stand over by the stairs with her favorite treat (carrots) but to no avail. She still goes for the wall first chance.

Im hoping that someone here my have an idea of how to teach this old dog a new trick so that if she falls in when we are not around she can get out. Any help is appreciated,
Stephen

[Dekka]

Perhaps blocking off the pool with something, or put something around like a boarder of rocks so she can at least feel when she is getting too close.

Oh and welcome to chaz

[yoko]

maybe put a fence or some sort of marker she can touch or something so that she knows she is near the edge like earlier mentioned. because maybe she just can't tell when she is close because of her sight. but putting a specific marker could maie it easier on her

[Sush]

Ooooh pools can be so deadly to dogs who don't know how to get out! I don't see the hurt in trying to teach her as long as your present whenever she is around the pool but I wouldn't leave her unattended in the backyard EVER. I have heard of too many drownings and it just breaks my heart to think of how scared the dogs are before they drown :(

I'd either keep her inside or confined to a shaded pen/run in the yard when you're not there. If you can, sometimes it's a daunting task, try to fence the pool off if you don't want to keep her confined. I wouldn't count on teaching her, she might get it once but you will never be too sure she'll remember it until it's too late...

[squirtsmom]

That 's a tough one. I just wouldn't let her out unattended. Not worth it.

[smkie]

IF you make a ramp with foot holds (slats across) for her that she can use and let her know where it is she will be able to get herself out. Most animals drown because they cannot lift themselves over the edge. With the birds (peacocks and such) that i took care of we had to do the same for they could and did fall into the water tanks. RAmps are not hard to make, and even wooden ones could be replaces as they age.