List of Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get into the pool with my dog?

Because of insurance and Sonoma county health codes, dog parents are not permitted to join their dog in the pool.

Do you offer discounts for rescue groups or other organizations?

The Swimming Dog offers discounts on swim sessionss for dogs in foster care, service dogs, and regularly donates services to dog rescue organizations.

Can more than one dog be in the pool at the same time?

A maximum of two dogs from the same household can be in the pool together but only after each dog has had an introductory swim session. If I determine that both dogs can safely swim on their own and the dog parent can assure that both dogs get along with each other, then both dogs can share a swim session. The second dog swims for a reduced rate.

Can my dog in heat swim?

For safety reasons, I do not allow dogs in heat to swim.

My dog doesn't like to be in water but could benefit from swimming. How will you handle my dog?

Your dog's emotional state is always a priority. At the first session (and every session), I take great care in helping your dog feel safe and at ease in the water. No session is the same and your dog's needs dictates how the session goes. I have yet to meet a dog who has not been able to benefit from warm water assisted swimming.

You indicate there is a charge if my dog defecates in the water. Why do you charge for this?

When a dog defecates in the water, it contaminates the water and sometimes requires draining all the water in the swimspa. Feces in the water is especially problematic if it breaks apart or is diarrhea. When the poop can't easily and quickly be scooped up, it causes a chain of events that is costly and requires a lot of time and energy. I do not want to impose extra charges on dog parents but to cover some of my costs, I have to charge $300 for a fecal incident. The Fecal Contamination Policy document given to new clients explains how to minimize the possibility of fecal incidents.