• 🐶 Get your dog used to a kiddie pool

• 🏊 Is pool water safe for dogs?

• 🐾 Find out your pup’s ancestry

• 🍧 Frozen tropical punch treat recipe

• ❤️ A special word from our pups

Did you know…?

Joke: What do you call a sad dog with watermelons?

(scroll to the bottom to find the answer!)

It may seem like the easiest toy in the world for a dog, but a kiddie pool is a completely foreign object for your dog. You may need to help them ease into it. If you follow these steps, you’ll be able to help your dog discover the magic of splashing around on these hot summer days.

• Introduce the pool. Put the new toy in the yard and leave it empty at first. Let your dog smell it and check it out. Use treats to reward engagement and throw some treats in the pool to encourage them to enter it. The goal is to build their comfort to step in.

• Fill with water. Repeat the same process with water in the pool. Don’t splash them. Reward them with treats when they step in the water and let them move slowly to build their comfort level.

• Have fun! Once they do it on their own, encourage them to start playing in the pool. Throw their toys in and have fun.

Once your dog graduates from the kiddie pool, you might want to let them jump right into the deep end, but there are some important things to know. First of all, your dog should always be supervised when playing in the water. Not all dogs know how to swim, and you don’t want to leave them alone in the pool.

When it comes to pool water, it’s safe for dogs to swim in properly maintained pools. Both chlorine and saltwater are OK for dogs. One thing to watch for is drinking pool water. It’s not good to ingest pool water, and it can lead to an upset gastrointestinal tract. It’s also best practice to rinse dogs off once they get out of the pool because the chemicals can lead to dry or irritated skin.

If you plan on letting your dog swim in the pool, you’ll want to do a little extra cleaning. Dogs have a lot more hair than people, so there will be more hair in the water after they swim. Keep an eye on all the levels of the pool to ensure it’s a positive experience for everyone.

BarkBox is a monthly themed box of toys, treats and unleashed joy, thoughtfully designed to satisfy every dog’s unique playstyle. What even is your dog? Besides perfect, obviously.

Discover their breed mix, distinct traits, and genetic matches with a dog DNA kit from Know Your Pet DNA by Ancestry — FREE with your first BarkBox of toys and treats (value $99).

Thank you to BARK for sponsoring the Daily Dig.

We all love the taste of the tropics when it’s super hot outside. These tropical treats are frozen and only require three ingredients, so they are easy to put together for a pool day or just any random afternoon treat.

Tropical Punch Frozen Dog Treat

You’ll need: 250ml of 100% organic coconut milk, ½ pineapple, 1 mango, and ice cube trays

1. Wash the mango and slice into cubes. Make sure the skin and stone is removed.

2. Wash the pineapple and roughly slice it into smaller pieces. Cut off and discard all the skin, core, and ends.

3. Combine coconut milk, mango, and pineapple pieces in a blender and mix until smooth.

4. Pour the mixture into the ice cube trays and freeze for at least four hours.

5. Remove from the trays and store in a ziploc bag in the freezer.

6. Serve it up so your dog can enjoy a cold treat.

Discover your dog's breed mix, distinct traits, and genetic matches with a dog DNA kit from Know Your Pet DNA by Ancestry — FREE with your first BarkBox of toys and treats (value $99).

Daily Dig is inspired and brought to you by our wonderful dogs. Our dogs, and all the other pups out there, make the world a happier, brighter place. ❤️

With lots of love,

Stitcher, Minnie, & Finnegan 🐾

🦴 A Little Treat

🤔 Did You Know: A Melon Collie!

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