Accessible design
No lifting, no slipping
The best wash station is one every dog can get into and every person can use. Here is how to design one that spares backs and calms dogs.
Getting dogs in
Three ways in
Lifting a wet, wriggling dog is the hardest part of a bath. Each of these takes it out.
Big dogs
Walk in
The Standard Series door slides away, the dog walks in, the door closes behind them. Nobody lifts a wet 80 lb dog.
Standard Series wash stations →
Small & senior dogs
Step up
A two-step stair lets small, older or nervous dogs climb in at their own pace. At 14 lb it is easy to move into place and put away.
Safety Stair Step-Up →
Tight rooms
Approach from the end
The Pro Series perpendicular tub is worked from its end, which suits alcoves and narrow rooms where you can't stand along the side.
Pro Series Perpendicular →For the people bathing
An accessible room
In apartments, hotels and public facilities, the person washing the dog may use a wheelchair or have limited reach. Plan the room around them, not just the tub.
Clear floor space
Leave an open area in front of and beside the tub for a wheelchair or walker to pull up.
Reachable controls
Faucet handles and the sprayer within easy reach of someone seated or standing.
Low hooks and shelves
Leash hooks, towels and shampoo at a height everyone can reach.
Firm, dry floor
Slip-resistant flooring and a towel within arm's length of the tub.
Room to turn
A door and room layout that lets a mobility device turn around.
Good light
Bright, even lighting over the tub so users can see the dog and the controls.
Accessibility requirements vary by project and jurisdiction; confirm them with your architect.
Calm dogs, safe baths
Small details, big difference
A mat underfoot
A rubber mat in the tub stops paws sliding, and a dog that feels steady stays still.
A tether point
Clipping the leash to a tether keeps a dog from leaping out halfway through.
Warm before wet
Run the water to temperature before it touches the dog; a cold blast is what sets most dogs off.
Dryer close by
A wall-mounted dryer means the dog is dried in the tub, not walked across a wet floor.
Built for access
The kit
Dog Wash Station Standard Series – Parallel Access – 48″ W
Walk-in door and parallel access; ADA friendly.
$4,990
Dog Wash Tub Pro Series – Perpendicular Access Tub
Worked from the end, for alcoves and narrow rooms.
$8,590
Cool Dog Wash Tubs – Safety Stair Step-Up
A steady two-step climb for small and senior dogs.
$275
Dog Wash Tub Pro Series – Stainless Steel Grooming Table
ADA friendly stainless grooming table.
$4,990
Are Cool Dog wash tubs ADA compliant?
The Standard Series wash stations and the Pro Series Stainless Steel Grooming Table are ADA friendly. Compliance depends on the whole room as well as the tub: clear floor space, reach ranges and the route to the room. Your architect can confirm what your project requires.
What is the easiest tub for a dog that can't jump?
A walk-in Standard Series station: the dog walks straight in through the side door. For a Pro Series tub, add the Safety Stair Step-Up so the dog can climb in on its own.
Do the safety steps work with every tub?
They are designed as a step-up into Cool Dog tubs, and at 14″ high, 27″ wide and 25″ deep they fit alongside most layouts. Tell us your tub and room and we'll confirm the fit.
Does a walk-in tub help groomers too?
Yes. Every lift avoided is strain saved on backs and shoulders, and over a working week that adds up to fewer injuries and faster baths.
Plan & install
More planning guides
Plumbing & installation
Ready to plan your project?
Every tub comes with left or right side plumbing to fit your space. Ask us for a quote, volume pricing or an installer in your area.