Every year during August, September, and October, public swimming pools across the country close for the summer, and lucky dogs are welcome to Dog Swim Days to splish, splash, and frolic in the pool before it’s drained for the season. Read on to learn what they’re all about and see if there’s an event near you where your dog is welcome to enjoy the pool.
Dogs around town are practicing their dog paddle strokes and searching for floating toys, all in preparation for upcoming Dog Swim Days. Finally, dogs get to take over the pool or water park!
At many events, there’s more than just dogs taking over the pool or water park – you’ll find games and contests, like the ‘Biggest Splash’ and ‘Coolest Wet Dog’ contests and some events are attended by hundreds of dogs. There are also often vendors with goodies for dogs and animal rescue groups are often on hand with adoptable pets looking for their forever homes.
In many areas, these are annual events that locals (and their pups!) look forward to each year at the close of summer.
If you don’t see an event near you listed below, just google “Dog Swim Day” or “Dog Pool” with your city name or ask about it at your local public pool or check local event listings.
Check out more ideas for celebrating the end of the summer with your dogs in our article, 25 Ideas for Summer Fun With Your Dog.
Sign up for Woof Report’s free weekly email for more tips for getting out with (and caring best for) your dog!
Check out one event, the Splish Splash Doggie Bash at Piedmont Park in Atlanta in from a few years back. It looks like a great time for water-loving dogs!
The Scoop:
Here’s a sampling of 2022 Dog Swim Days across the country and read on to alternatives for getting your dog into a pool to swim.
Boulder, CO
Dog Splash Days
Highlands Ranch Community Center Pool
Saturday, September 10, 2022
Coral Gables, FL
Paws in the Pool
Venetian Pool
Sunday, October 2, 2021
Atlanta, GA
Splish Splash Doggie Bash!
Piedmont Park
Saturday and Sunday, October 1 and 2, 2022
Cedar Rapids, ID
K9Splash!
Bever Park Pool
Saturday and Sunday, August 6 and 7, 2022
Nampa, ID
Pooch Party Stroll and Splash
Lakeview Pool
Saturday, August 27, 2022
Leavenworth, KS
Doggie Splash
Wollman Aquatic Center
Saturday, September 10, 2022
Lexington, KY
Doggie Paddle
Woodland Aquatic Center
Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022
Louisville, KY
8th Annual Calypso Cove Dog Swim
Friday and Saturday, September 9 and 10, 2022
Laurel, MD
Doggie Dip Day
Greenview Drive Pool
Saturday, September 10, 2022
Midland, MI
Pooches at the Pool
Plymouth Pool- CANCELLED THIS YEAR
Saturday, September 10, 2022
Henderson, NV
Doggie Paddle Play Day
Black Mountain Aquatic Complex
Saturday, September 24, 2022
Midwest City, OK
Doggie Paddle
Reno Swim & Slide
Monday, September 5, 2022
Charleston, SC
Dog Day Afternoon
Splash Island Waterpark at Palmetto Islands County Park
Saturday, September 10, 2022
Splash Zone Waterpark at James Island County Park
Saturday, September 10, 2022
Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark at North Charleston Wannamaker County Park
Sunday, September 11, 2022
Greenville, SC
Waggin’ at the Waterpark
Discovery Island Waterpark
Sunday, September 10, 2022
Otter Creek Waterpark
Sunday. September 17, 2022
Hermitage, TN
Pooch Pool Party
Nashville Shores
Saturday, September 24, 2022
Garland, TX
11th Annual Wags & Waves
Hawaiian Falls Garland Park
Saturday, September 17, 2022
University Park, TX
Doggie Splash Day
Holmes Aquatic Center
Saturday, October 1, 2022
Leesburg, VA
Dog Swim
AV Symington Aquatic Center
Saturday, September 10, 2022
DOG SWIM DAY ALTERNATIVES – Year-round swimming for dogs!
If there is no Dog Swim Day in your area and you’d love to get your water (or water-shy) dog into the pool, consider a dog swim club!
Swimming is a great way to exercise, rehabilitate, or just play with your dog. Swim clubs are also ideal for teaching dogs to swim or getting water-shy dogs used to a pool. Some clubs offer group swims with other dogs while others allow you to reserve private pool time for just your pup, or offer staff-supervised swim time.
We found various swim centers, standalone and incorporated into dog daycare or dog training centers, and here are just a few:
San Francisco, CA: The Rex Center
Costa Mesa, CA: The Bone Adventure
Sacramento, CA: Animal Den Pet Resort
San Carlos, CA: Dog Pool Club
Chicago, IL: Doggie Paddle
Garner, NC: Bone Voyage Pet Resort
Spring, TX: Rummy’s Beach Club
Philadelphia, PA: Philadelphia Canine Sports Club
Waukesha, WI: K-9 Splash at Think Pawsitive
Rockville, MD
Washtenaw County, MI
Papillion, NE
10th Annual Dog Day at the Bay
Corvallis, OR
Dog Day at Osborn Aquatic Center
Bedford, TX
Georgetown, TX
Plano, TX
Tacoma, WA
Madison, WI
Salt Lake City, UT
Alexandria, VA
Thank you to the City of Fort Collins, CO for the photo taken at one of their dog swim events.
