7 Strong & Waterproof DIY Dog Pools (With Instructions)
Like us, our dogs can get overheated in the warmer months. Dogs benefit from a pool they can dip in when the temperature rises, especially in warmer areas. However, commercial dog pools tend to be weak and easily punctured by our dogs’ nails. Therefore, your best bet is to build a more permanent structure if you have the room.
While this may seem a bit overwhelming, it is pretty straightforward. We researched several DIY plans, but here are some of our favorite options.
The 7 DIY Dog Pools
1. Small Wading Pool by Wilker Do’s
| Materials: | Concrete, large stone, DRYLOCK masonry waterproofing, mortar, rebar, PVC pipe and ball valve attachment |
| Tools: | Basic home tools |
| Difficulty: | Hard |
This pool plan works best for those with smaller dogs and plenty of DIY skills. It is assembled with larger rocks and mortar to hold them together. Cement is utilized for the floor, and a waterproofing compound is needed to make the structure waterproof. Therefore, you are building a small pool in your backyard. You don’t need many tools, which helps keep the price of this plan low.
You can build a wooden platform around the pool to make the entry even easier. Ultimately, this leaves you with a reasonably attractive pool that’s easy to drain and care for.
2. Stock Tank Pool for Dogs by Stock Tank Pools
| Materials: | Stock tank |
| Tools: | Varies |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
Using a stock tank, you can create a simple pool for your dogs. The instructions are straightforward, and you don’t need many tools. Therefore, this is one of the few suitable options for beginners. You can choose the best size for your dog with ease, and the plan is very adaptable. You can simply throw a stock tank down and fill it up or add a pump, deck, and drain.
3. Hay-Bale Swimming Pool by SimpleMost
| Materials: | Hay bales, ratchet strap, tarp, tape |
| Tools: | Basic home tools |
| Difficulty: | Moderate |
If you know where to buy hay bales, you can easily make this hay bale pool. It works wonders for larger dogs that need more space. Plus, you can build it without any tools or DIY skills. It doesn’t take long to complete, either.
The hay bales act as the walls of your pool. You'll cover them with a plastic tarp and use a racket strap to hold everything in place. You can also build a wooden deck around it, but it's optional. Ultimately, this leaves you with an accessible pool that can be upgraded.
4. Pallet Pool by Awesome Jelly
| Materials: | Wooden pallets, ratcheting straps, large plastic tarp |
| Tools: | None |
| Difficulty | Easy |
This straightforward pool doesn’t much DIY experience, and it provides a functioning pool for very cheap. All you need is ratcheting straps, pallets, and a tarp. The ratcheting straps keep the pallets together, and the tarp makes the pool waterproof.
This pool’s size can be adjusted quickly, and it works well for dogs of all sizes (and even you!)
5. Very Simple DIY Dog Pool by Instructables
| Materials: | Various wood sizes, tarp, nails |
| Tools: | Basic home tools (like a hammer) |
| Difficulty: | Easy |
This pool may not be the most aesthetically pleasing. However, it is straightforward to construct and works well for most purposes. Its size can be adjusted to meet your dog's needs, and it is a semi-permanent structure. It doesn’t require much room or much work, and you don’t need many supplies.
The wood you’ll need will depend on the size of the pool you want to make. Beyond that, you’ll just need nails to hammer the wood together and a tarp for waterproofing.
6. Rock Dog Pool by April Wilkerson
| Materials: | Masonite board, rocks, mortar, drain valve |
| Tools: | Knee pads, hearing protection, saw, brush |
| Difficulty: | Hard |
This pool looks a lot better than most DIY pools. However, it requires woodworking and crafting experience and is made entirely from rocks and mortar. It doesn’t require many tools, and it's ideal if you have several rocks lying around.
The instructions are all on YouTube. If you’re a visual learner, these instructions may be easier to follow.
7. Pallet DIY Dog Pool by Easy Pallet Ideas
| Materials: | Small plastic pool, pallets |
| Tools: | Something to cut wood |
| Difficulty: | Moderate |
This plan looks incredibly simple, but the instructions aren’t very detailed. It is far more of an “idea” than a ready-to-go plan. The plywood is utilized to make a deck for the small kiddie pool, which helps your smaller dog get in and out easier.
Of course, because a small kiddie pool is used, this plan doesn’t work great for larger dogs. It would allow them to get wet, but the pallets are more likely to move and shift.
In Summary
There are many creative ways to make a doggie pool. You can throw one together with hay bales and a tarp, or you can build a more permanent solution out of wood and vinyl linings. Some plans require a lot of tools and DIY work, while others can be assembled in an hour or so.
When choosing a plan, be sure to consider your dog’s size. Some of these plans make relatively small pools, which are difficult to enlarge. Other plans make very large, deep pools that are unsafe for smaller dogs. Therefore, your dog’s size matters and will narrow down which plans you can make.
Featured Image Credit: bednuts, Pixabay
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Kristin loves to help pet parents create a fulfilling life for their pets by informing them on the latest scientific discoveries and helping them choose the best products for their pets. She currently resides in Tennessee with three cats, four dogs, two fish, and a lizard, though she has dreams of owning chickens one day!
