To sink or not to sink that is the question as with having Labs and knowing their penchant for water especially water that will be heated are we opening ourselves up to having relaxing soaks in the tub whilst accompanied by the girls as they dive bomb us to join us for a soak ?

We are having a large deck constructed and we were pondering over sinking the tub so that there would be a 30 cm elevated par showing so it is an easy step into the tub rather than having steps but then last might watching the girls hurtling around the garden that it may not be a good idea !

So what do people think as it will look so much better being sunk and easier to get in but is the risk of the girls joining us a show stopper . We don't want to stop them being out in the garden and don't want to gate off the area as we want to enjoy looking at the garden whilst we soak ?

What do you think ?

Thanks

Lucy

Will you have a better view sunk or raised?  I'd decide based on your needs first and foremost and then rely on training to manage the dogs.  You could use temporary fencing/screen to help you in the beginning and to reinforce your "No" but they should soon get the idea that they aren't really welcome, although I should imagine you'll get tub-side dancing!! :)

Does the hot tub have a rigid cover for when it's not in use?  My eldest WHV likes climbing and is often to be seen sunbathing on the garden table - I'd need to know he wasn't going to damage the cover...

Could you not put a small picket fence round the decking area..

Ours is raised and has a hard cover - mine are also garden table sunbathers - and have been seen on the hot tub but they do get shooed off!  and seem to leave it be mostly - ours is raised and I must admit think it would be a nightmare if sunk they already like to investigate as much as they can with a sniff over the edge!  and stand on the steps - I imagine a couple would be IN with us if sunken!

Rach you have made my mind up now so it will be raised !

Just have to do the aversion training if they get too close or try and climb the steps !!

Thanks all

I hav one in his garden and it's sunk in around the decking, the dogs love trying to lay on the top, they also get shoo'd too.. Mine however paid no attention to Rachel's when they've been there on any occasion!!

Ah the one in your garden Sue isn't that sunk on the floor level though... its just that you have a raised bit behind which levels it (well you and I know what we mean ha ha)

Lucy - a quick splash and go away !  whilst they have a good ole sniff they haven't dived in from the steps ha ha!  (touches wood quickly)

Putting in fragrances they are less likely to as well eh?!
Yes the decking is put up around it so it's all level which means one step and plop if the lid was off, thankfully it's now been secured to not likely!!

I would definitely have it raised. I don't have a hot tub but do have a rather large pool on the patio during the summer and two ponds. One pond is raised and the other is in the ground. Having a dog that would swim in your cup of tea if he could fit in it all sources of "leisure" water can be problematic :-)

It took a while to stop him swimming in the ponds although he has retrieved a fish from the bottom pond and dumped it in my lap whilst I was sitting enjoying the sunshine one summer. The pool is a different matter. The sides are higher than his head but it doesn't stop him from joining us if I don't catch the look that says "Wow I fancy a dip myself" :-)
31kg of dog leaping uninvited into the water with you causes a rather large tidal wave :-) and once he is in there he wants to be on the lilo with you and that means an instant capsize. Normally he is very well behaved and a simple no or redirection is all that is needed but where water is involved he develops instant deafness, grins from ear to ear and it's tally ho folks make room for me :-)

It took a while to stop him swimming in the ponds although he has retrieved a fish from the bottom pond and dumped it in my lap whilst I was sitting enjoying the sunshine one summer. The pool is a different matter. The sides are higher than his head but it doesn't stop him from joining us if I don't catch the look that says "Wow I fancy a dip myself"
31kg of dog leaping uninvited into the water with you causes a rather large tidal wave  and once he is in there he wants to be on the lilo with you and that means an instant capsize. Normally he is very well behaved and a simple no or redirection is all that is needed but where water is involved he develops instant deafness, grins from ear to ear and it's tally ho folks make room for me

Lol, and I thought I had problems keeping 2 staffies from sharing my hammock !

@Harley

I can picture Harley with his whole body wagging and that grin....

that's given me a chuckle that has!

Same here !! If Moose was still with us I think she would be the same as water was the same to her !!

Same here !! If Moose was still with us I think she would be the same as water was the same to her !!

And if I were to have Purdey with me when I visit you, she would have come, accompanied by her rubber ducky, shower cap and loofah!!!!

....when its up and full - I'll come and test it for you, Lucy!! :-)

Ours is sunken, dgs dont try and get in, but when we're sat in it we're head height for ear licking!!

Yes Margot and presume you will be bringing the black hounds so we will have double the trouble keeping the pesky puppies out !

Dyssi is packing her bikini as I type ...Odis is blowing up his water wings :D

Freya warns - she doesn't skinny dip - she chunky dunks!!!

> Dyssi is packing her bikini as I type ...Odis is blowing up his water wings :D
>
> Freya warns - she doesn't skinny dip - she chunky dunks!!!

Now I know why Storm was prancing round in Speedos!!??

> Now I know why Storm was prancing round in Speedos!!??
> <IMG alt=eek src="/images/eek.gif">

Not the budgie smugglers !!!