We had an in ground pool in Michigan for 22 years! Loved it! We used a solar cover at night & when we had a day we weren't using it. Great gathering place for children & their friends & adults loved it too. Our yard was fenced. Dog never went in. Winter cover. We sold our house in 5 days so the pool was not a negative. We weren't sure about that. OH we used it from mid May earliest - usually Memorial Day til mid September.