Puppy and pond

[Britchic]

Hi all

We are soon to get a 10 week old puppy. We have a small pond in our garden which has straight sides and the water level is about 5cm below ground level. Do we need to cover it or fence it in? It's mainly surrounded by plants, which worries me as I wouldn't see the puppy if it was nearby…

The puppy is a rescue lab x, so could be keen on water…. but I don't know if at this age puppies can swim / get out by themselves.

Appreciate any advice/experience with ponds.

Thanks so much

[BettyBotter]

I'd make sure there is a slope or step in the pond so the puppy could get out if it did fall in, even if naturally it would probably swim if it did fall. It's the getting out that matters.

[LaBelleDameSansPatience]

Our puppy fell in the pond in her first week .. swam across and scrambled out .. then went running round the house squeaking in shock at her wetness ... obviously would recommend this in case other dogs aren't such good swimmers/lucky ...

[Britchic]

Thanks so much - great suggestion BettyBotter….. I hadn't thought of that, but will be really easy to do.

Love it LaBelle - fingers crossed if mine does go in he'll come out squeaking!

[LaBelleDameSansPatience]

I meant I would NOT recommend this ... just in case there is such a thing as a non-swimming dog.
Now, at the age of 11 weeks, she swims in the deeper parts of the small river nearby ... we walk along the edge/splash through the shallow bits and nudge her into the deeper bits because she is so cute swimming.

[Aked]

Firstly, you need to know that there isn't any blue-green algae growing in the pond at any time. This can be fatal to dogs, and leads to liver failure ultimately. If any does grow, you need to make sure the pup cannot access the water at all.

Also, I'm sure many people have ponds and dogs with no issues at all, but I know someone who lost both (small) dogs in their smallish pond. The dogs got in, and couldn't get out. Both drowned. Utterly tragic.

Sorry to be grim, but just a couple of things to consider!

[Aked]

Although reading your post again - their water must have been deeper than yours!