Pool water

Question
After losing our German Shepherd "Bo" that we adopted from our local Animal Control Center to congenital kindney problems.  We were lucky enough to have shared our home with him for about 9 months, he was only 1 1/2 years old.  At first the vet thought he might have bloat but after all the tests and our decision to put him to rest we found out that it was one of his kindneys blocking one of his main arteries which caused him to swell with fluid adding an extra 40 pounds.  I was heart broken. So my family and friends pitched in and bought me a German Shepherd puppy. His name is Max he is 9 weeks old now and he makes my heart smile. But I worry about him all the time.  We have a swimming pool and he loves to drink out of it. I think he likes to hear himself more so then he is thirsty,  but never the less he loves the water.  Is there need for me to be concerned with the chemicals in the water? Also I'm trying to teach him how to get out of the swimming pool in case he falls in and I'm not home. When I take him in he seems to love it. But not enough to come in by himself.  Is there a  correct way to introduce him to the water?

Also on feeding.  In reading all the advice that is on your comment board, I'm confused. I see that one will recommend Max Nutro, (which is what I decided to feed him) and one will give it bad marks.  I mix his dry food with canned.  I do this in part to help with his ears. I noticed that about a week after I started feeding him this brand one of his ears stood up.  We're still waiting on the other one. It's getting there.  

Thats all I have for now.  I really enjoy reading the comment boards.  

Answer
Hi, not sure where you read that I gave Nutro Max bad marks.  I do like Nutro Max a lot.  You'll definitely want to keep him on the puppy food until he is 2 years old as he will need the extra calcium for his bones as well as his ears.  Glad to hear his ears are going up.  Most GSDs ears will go up and down the first 6 months of their lives due to teething.  As far as the pool water, I would try and keep him from drinking too much of it due to the chlorine & chemicals in it.  They aren't that good for him.  When introducing a dog to water, you want to do it slowly, using treats to entice him and make him feel reassured.  By no means do you want to throw him in and have him figure it out on his own.  That will just make it way too traumatic for him.  Standing in the pool with some sort of treat & coaxing him in is the best.  Hope this helps,  

Dawn