Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on September 9, 2026.
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Summer festivities begin to wind down throughout September, and Allegheny County Parks sends the season off with a bang (or maybe it's a bark) with their annual Pooches in the Pool event!
Grab your favorite furry friend and snag tickets to this one as you and your dog have a chance to take a swim in one of three county pools on Labor Day Monday!
Note: This article was sponsored by Allegheny County Parks. All opinions are our own.
What to Know About Pooches in the Pool
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Pooches in the Pool is an annual celebration put on by Allegheny County Parks that takes place on Labor Day (Monday September 7th in, 2026) to celebrate the end of another great pool season.
For one night only, three pools in the county, Boyce Park, North Park, and Settlers Cabin Park allow dogs to join in on the fun from 4 pm to 6:30 pm! Since these pools typically do not allow dogs in otherwise, this makes for a fun day out with your favorite pooch all for a rather reasonable entry price of $20 per dog for county residents (with up to two human chaperones)- this is the same price as two regular entries with the added perk of having your dog with you!
So whether you want to swim, float, or fetch with your best friend, this once-a-year special event makes for a fun evening out. Just be sure to snag your tickets early as this one does sell out and tickets at the door are not guaranteed!
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Pooches in the Pool
After attending Pooches in the Pool ourselves, we have a few tips and insights to help you get the most out of the experience!
First, it is worth noting that Boyce Park and Settlers Cabin Park use their wave pools for this event; however, the waves are turned off. North Park uses its normal swimming pool. We attended Settlers Cabin Park and appreciated the gradual depth change to give opportunities for dogs of all sizes and swimming capabilities a chance to place.
As with most events at Allegheny County Parks, tickets are a bit cheaper for residents. In 2026, the event cost $20 for one dog and up to two chaperones for county residents, and $25 for non-residents. Additional dogs can attend for an extra ticket ($20) and additional humans can attend for $5 without a dog. That said, there is a requirement of one human per one dog, so if you have multiple dogs, enlist a friend to join!
All dogs must have their current tags and up-to-date vaccinations and these are checked at the gate.
Of course, as dog owners ourselves (unfortunately, a reactive one that cannot attend), we would add in a few more notes that are worth keeping in mind.
Up first, there will be dozens of dogs (if not closer to 100) at each pool. We can safely say our reactive dog would not have done well at this event. So be sure to only bring dogs that are not easily overwhelmed by others.
If you're unsure of your dog's swimming abilities, a flotation device is highly recommended. Most pools have a shallow section and lifeguards are on duty, but it is best to be safe all the same.
Be sure to take toys, water bowls, and other things to play with your pup in the water. There will be plenty of balls and frisbees flying around, but it is always good to have more to make friends and give all the belly rubs!
Beyond this, be sure to snag tickets in advance as soon as possible- as this one is sure to sell out quickly! (Click here to buy tickets.)
We really love all the great programming that Allegheny County Parks puts on throughout the year, and the end-of-season Pooches in the Pool is another fun event that we love, with the added bonus of getting to enjoy it with your favorite pup.
This article was sponsored by Allegheny County Parks. As always, all opinions are our own.
