As local swimming pools across the country are closing for the summer season, lucky dogs are invited to Dog Swim Days to splish, splash, and frolic in the pool before it’s drained for the season. While many annual (and much-anticipated) events are cancelled this year, many are still on.
See our 2021 Dog Swim events here.
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.
While events this year will look a little different with social distancing and smaller crowds, one thing is certain: dogs will have fun, cool off, and look forward to next year!
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 recent 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 2020 Dog Swim Days across the country and read on to alternatives for getting your dog into a pool to swim, and a list of annual events cancelled this year.
Folsom, CA
18th Annual Bark-n-Splash Bash
Steve Miklos Aquatic Center
September 26, 2020
Coral Gables, FL
Paws in the Pool
Venetian Pool
Sunday, October 4, 2020
Atlanta, GA
Splish Splash Doggie Bash!
Piedmont Park
October 3 and 4, 2020
Cedar Rapids, ID
K9Splash! – VIRTUAL
Saturday and Sunday, August 8 and 9, 2020
Leavenworth, KS
Doggie Splash
Wollman Aquatic Center
Tuesday, September 8
Lexington, KY
Doggie Paddle
Woodland Aquatic Center
Saturday, September 12, 2020
Laurel, MD
Doggie Dip Day
Laurel Municipal Pool
Saturday, September 12, 2020
Midland, MI
Pooches at the Pool
Plymouth Pool
Saturday, September 12, 2020
Henderson, NV
Doggie Paddle Play Day
Black Mountain Aquatic Complex
Saturday, September 21
Reno, NV
Pool Pawty
Idlewild Pool
Sunday, September 20, 2020
Midwest City, OK
Doggie Paddle
Reno Swim & Slide
Monday, September 7, 2020
Charleston, SC
Dog Day Afternoon
Whirlin’ Waters Adventure Waterpark at Wannamaker County Park
Sunday, September 13, 2020
Greenville, SC
Waggin’ at the Waterpark
Discovery Island Waterpark
Sunday, September 12, 2020
Otter Creek Waterpark
Sunday. September 19, 2020
Hermitage, TN
Pooch Pool Party
Nashville Shores
Saturday, September 26, 2020
Garland, TX
10th Annual Wags & Waves
Hawaiian Falls Garland Park
Date coming soon – check Facebook page
University Park, TX
Doggie Splash Day
Holmes Aquatic Center
Sunday, September 13, 2020
DOG SWIM DAY ALTERNATIVES – Year-round swimming for dogs!
If there are no Dog Swim Days in your area and you’d love to get your water dog (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:
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
ANNUAL DOG SWIM EVENTS CANCELLED FOR 2020
Paso Robles, CA
Boulder, CO
Englewood, CO
Parker, CO
Washington, DC
Louisville, KY
Des Moines, IA
Nampa, ID
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 Lexington Human Society for the photo taken at one of their Doggie Paddle events in Lexington, KY.
