Gone fishin'

Jolly has a new obsession! It all started when he had a drink from the pond and spotted the snake. Oh boy, he went ballistic! Then as he's watching for the snake he saw the fish for the first time. Now he hovers around the pond and every time he sees a fish he freaks. He's taken to splashing at them and tossing the water hyacinths out to get at them. I'm sure he can't actually get in the pond but if he ever did I'm afraid he wouldn't be able to get out. I'm afraid a net wouldn't be a deterrent, he's just get tangled in it. I don't think I can fence the pond off. I'm hoping he'll lose interest. Any dog/pond owners have suggestions?

You don’t think he can get in? This reminds me of my pond I had. It was one of those round galvanized water troughs and everyday I came home from work all the plants would be squished flat. It was really bugging me why this was happening and I thought it might be Gracie (our blondie golden retriever). First thing I would do is check her to see if she smelled like fish or was wet. Nothing. So one day I came home for lunch and looked out the back window and there she was. Laying in the pond asleep with her head resting on the edge. I guess she was timing it right so she would be dry by the time I got home.

Only suggestion I have is to make an area in the pond where he can get out.

This message was edited Sep 5, 2007 10:10 AM

My neighbor's lab is rarely loose, and a great dog too, BUT he charges into my small goldfish pond in the front yard at every opportunity. He can't get out without help. It's only up to his shoulders but the sides are too steep. What a mess he makes! Total disaster with stomped plants, terrified fish and once he upended the pump. Develop a big sense of humor and make a step or steps. Your dog probably won't want to get out once he gets in and you will have to haul him out anyway. Make it easy on yourself. And keep a camcorder handy. Could be winner.

snapple, you are a VERY NICE neighbor to put up with the destruction of your pond...even though the lab gets loose not often...i would have a hard time seeing my fish, plants, etc. pump (which could burn out if there was no water going through it).destroyed!! Once i could tolerate, more than that i would be a little miffed that my ponds that had been established for years were turned upside down in an afternoon! You are a good soul! I think the advice of making some stepping stones out of the pond is a good idea....i have lost a cat in my swimming pool, cause he panicked and couldn't get out...a most painful memory! sue

Ouch on the puddy tat. The neighbor's dog is a water dog and I have water - well - you gotta kinda roll with the punches. If it wasn't my pond and my plants and my fish and my pump it would be hysterically funny.

I've been out by the pond trying to figure out how I could put stepping stones in it. I haven't even been able to figure out how to arrange something flat in it for potted plants. The pond came with the house and it was made from a huge old satellite dish. Picture half an orange... all sloping sides. So far I've only caught Jolly pawing/slapping at the water. He's learned to stand statue still for minutes at a time then when the fish feel safe again and come out of hiding he starts splashing. I'm surprised the fish aren't totally traumatized. He's not a swimmer (boxer). We're only a block from the lake and he never goes deeper than his ankles even when there's geese and ducks swimming. I've had him for a year and if it hadn't been for the snake he'd probably still not realize there were fish in the pond.

Uh - I hate to tell you this, all dogs are swimmers. I once had an upland bird dog. Beautiful animal who loved to field hunt and wouldn't even put his butt on wet pavement for a treat. He "discovered" the lake one day when he 5 yrs. old! He chased a bird into the water. After that we didn't have a dry day whenever we were at the lake. I mean he swam until he was exhausted. He made a beeline for the lake right out the front door first thing in the morning. Didn't even stop to pee! You just never know what's going to trip their switch. In the picture your pond setting is really nice. Would it spoil it if you fenced him away? Or, if a step or fence isn't possible, would something like a short ramp with with rungs that his feet could get a grip on work?