Why do older dogs keep tumbling into a Dublin swimming pool?

"The dogs and the pool get along fine until they reach the age of 15 or so and start to decline. The end seems near once they start falling into the pool. Granted these are very old dogs but why does this keep happening? Is it a form of dementia, balance, a wish to speed up the end, the inability to see or smell the water?"

"However, the accidental falls into the pool are likely related to aging and the loss of abilities. When it comes to preventing dogs from going into pools, experts suggest training dogs to avoid pools unless given permission to dive in. You can teach old dogs new tricks, but the dives into the pool appear to be accidental, not willful, so training in this case might not be helpful."

Older dogs commonly fall into swimming pools as age-related declines affect balance, vision, smell, and coordination. Accidental pool entries rise around age 15–16 and are unlikely to be intentional or self-harm. Solar covers can obscure visibility, making it harder to detect a fallen dog. Preventive measures include installing a physical fence around the pool, using alarms that detect water intrusion, considering sonic barriers with limited usefulness for hearing-impaired animals, and restricting backyard access by closing doggy doors or supervising outings. Training to avoid pools may help some pets, but age-related decline can limit training effectiveness.

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