What a beautiful day!

Our dogs (gun dogs and water lovers!!) are in need of a paddle or even a bath to have in the back garden which is south facing and gets very hot. We used to have an old tin bath years and years ago, but I was wondering what other 'paddling pools' might be best, and if any of you have a good solution??? Spring boards and waterchutes not required!

I think it might be difficult to get another tin bath....and baby paddling pools would be punctured.

Any ideas folks?

I'm actually looking at pools at the mo for my pup to use for hydrotherapy. We are booking a 10 wwk course at a nearby pool but need something for us to use with him as well (insurance will only pay out so much :( ) We have been looking at some of the argos pools up to 70 quid - luckily he is only small :) and its only for supervised paddling - still need a lifevest though :)
Are you looking for something for the dogs to splash around in? Are you able to actually sink an old bath in the ground? old baths are quite cheap to pick up second hand ( especially if you don't mind what colour and if its not an enamel one your after)

Thanks killickchick

Wow I hadn't though of a proper bath. How about emptying it? It would need a lot of water ( we are on a meter ) so I suppose I am thinking of something more of a paddle/spash/lie down and roll in thing!

Might get in it myself if the summer is a good one!

Good luck with your pup. x

www.mower-magic.co.uk they sell tin baths in 3 different sizes if you really want one. would last many years and free delivery. I am thinking of ordering one to grow plants in!!!

I bought this last year for my spaniel, he loves it.  :)

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3650141/Trail/searchtext%3ESAND+PIT.htm

> It would need a lot of water ( we are on a meter )

Don't worry too much about that. We're on a water meter, we have a 1200gallon pond that needs topping up (seems to have a leak :( ) all summer and it hasn't increased our payments :)

LOL Yes it would need a lot of hard work, but you would lay a nice thick layer of gravel, shingle or something like that as a soakaway in the bottom of your hole. You put the bath on top of that, it wouldn't need to be sunk fully, have it sticking out as much as you want - just pull out the plug  to empty it. It wouldn't need to have the water changed all the time, but scoop the leaves and scummy bits out! 

Couldn't really do it if you had children around though so it would have to be a large plastic pool :) like the sandpit ones :)

I have a kiddies plastic sandpit one and my dog won't go near it.  She loves the water and swims for scotland but wont go in it at all.  i initially tried to bribe her by putting choc buttons in it but she retrieved them and walked away.  There's no pleasing some pooches.

I got hold of a second hand plastic sandpit type of pool, thinking the dogs would love it in the hot weather (Gundogs also), they don't go near it!!
Oh, occasionally they will have a drink from it, but that's all.:-D

Hiya, i dont know how much money you were thinking of investing but you can buy dog pools from zooplus online, they are a bit pricey but we are thinking of getting one for our ddb, he wouldnt fit in a bath! We did however buy a massive flower thing that goes on the end of your hosepipe and it stands up in the ground and spins round it throws loads of water out and he loves it !xxx

We got one from argos a few years back a big plastic one, they love it. i chuck treats in it, makes them go in and cool down :)

Great ideas everyone.

On behalf of 5 very warm dogs, many thanks!!
I think the idea of sinking a bath is a good one, but will look into your suggestions.

Thanks all. x

I know this is an old message of yours but I came to it after seeing your request for pet sitters in Somerset. 

I saw a new tin bath today in Dorchester for £54 so pretty expensive but we then called in at Mole Valley Farmers in Bridgwater on our way home; they have loads of things that might be suitable.  They have different size galvanised water troughs and also big black plastic things that are the size of a medium paddling pool or larger (no idea what they are actually for).  I thought they'd make really robust pools for the dogs and kids in the summer.  Could be worth a look if you're nearby.

Although it was a nice day today I guess we'd be talking about 2009 now!! :)