We've just moved house, and a deeper inspection of our garden reveals that the previous owners installed the plumbing and power for a water feature. There is currently a sump, submerge pump and a bit of hose sticking out of the ground. It all works. Holly, as regular readers will know, is a complete water baby. She loves swimming, paddling, and sees running water as an exciting plaything. We were wondering what type of water feature we should install. Does anyone have experience of water features and Labradors? If so, we'd welcome your advice.
Re: Water Features Oh Holly, you really have arrived in heaven! No real advice to offer, but can share our experience.... We have a small water feature which consists of a very small pond (3 ft across, 2 ft deep) and a pump that circulates water up the bank about 5ft to flow back down into the pond looking like a natural stream - or at least that is the intention. Pongo spent a lot of time this summer improving the design. He would grab the end of the pipe where the water was coming out, and pull it around to different angles and places. He never really landed on a design that he was happy with, we're expecting more work on it this summer. He also delights in jumping into the pond. This is a bit of a problem because of course any pond ends up with several inches depth of mud and debris at the bottom, which ends up on Pongo. We are also pretty sure that eventually his claws will puncture the lining. Others have advised us to put some old carpet at the bottom of the pond to protect the lining; we may need to do that. Here is Pongo up to his armpits in the pond last summer. https://www.dropbox.com/s/mn2ex13vxkmrrv3/tongue and pond.JPG?dl=0
Re: Water Features I used to have a water feature.... ;D ;D ;D The previous owner installed an elegant lion's head on the wall (the ivy covers the plumbing and a fair bit of the stone so it looks better than it sounds) which dribbled a stream of water into an urn....until Charlie found the water pipe, that is. I just let the ivy take over... He adores the water irrigation system - endless fun nicking the spray heads and running round the garden with them chased by an irate OH. And even more fun waiting until just after OH has fixed them all, so he can do it again...
Re: Water Features So we were right to recommend to Holly that she start digging a pond in her new garden..... ;D
Re: Water Features [quote author=Kirriegirl link=topic=10386.msg152962#msg152962 date=1427711552] So we were right to recommend to Holly that she start digging a pond in her new garden..... ;D [/quote] ;D ;D ;D
Re: Water Features Ponds are looking unlikely. How about fountains and birdbaths? Does anyone have experience of how Labs get along with fountains?
Re: Water Features We've got a swimming pool ( not a boast,a pretty standard state of affairs in Dubai) Dexter has NEVER jumped in.....not once!from day 1 if he showed interest he got an ah ah or a nooooooooooo and he accepted the pool is nothing to do with him.im not being a meanie,he swims in lakes and the sea but he's not a massive water baby....I've always said if I struggle to excercise/occupy him adequately in the hot summer months I would start letting him in....but I'd have to put some serious training in so he knew when he was and wasn't let in....can you imagine in the cooler months when my back door onto the garden is permanently open having a wet Labrador trailing in and out the house......no,no,no! ;D
Re: Water Features You can get pebbles or one large stone which water bubbles up and over; think that would be safe with a Lab.
Re: Water Features [quote author=Stacia link=topic=10386.msg153052#msg153052 date=1427740170] You can get pebbles or one large stone which water bubbles up and over; think that would be safe with a Lab. [/quote] That's an interesting idea. If we make the stone big enough she might not want to carry it off.
Re: Water Features Erm the only experience I have is when Penny jumped in my mums pond for a cool off after a long walk on a hot summers day! Surprised the fish didn't die of shock!!!
Re: Water Features [quote author=Dexter link=topic=10386.msg152997#msg152997 date=1427719891] We've got a swimming pool ( not a boast,a pretty standard state of affairs in Dubai) Dexter has NEVER jumped in.....not once!from day 1 if he showed interest he got an ah ah or a nooooooooooo and he accepted the pool is nothing to do with him.im not being a meanie,he swims in lakes and the sea but he's not a massive water baby....I've always said if I struggle to excercise/occupy him adequately in the hot summer months I would start letting him in....but I'd have to put some serious training in so he knew when he was and wasn't let in....can you imagine in the cooler months when my back door onto the garden is permanently open having a wet Labrador trailing in and out the house......no,no,no! ;D [/quote] I would LOVE to have a pool! My dream is to be able to swim with Penny, it's lush I'd be in there all the time hahaa
Re: Water Features [quote author=Hollysdad link=topic=10386.msg153065#msg153065 date=1427741968] [quote author=Stacia link=topic=10386.msg153052#msg153052 date=1427740170] You can get pebbles or one large stone which water bubbles up and over; think that would be safe with a Lab. [/quote] That's an interesting idea. If we make the stone big enough she might not want to carry it off. [/quote] We have a millstone with pebbles around it and a pump comes up through the centre. Unfortunately the pump has broken and hasn't yet been replaced. I'm just hoping that Tuppence doesn't try to run off wih ithe new one, as she tried to rearrange the broken pump!
Re: Water Features Obi spends a fair bit of time in our ducks' paddling pools. Apparently the poopier they are the better. But I can confirm that he does not attempt to swim in our bird bath. Only drinks from it.
Re: Water Features I have a pond with 6 fish. It is raised up and made of wood with a fountain. The dogs used to try to pinch the water weed but I taught them not to using "ah ah" They don't touch the flowers in the pots either - same method.
Re: Water Features We have a small pond, about 3 x 2 and 18 inches deep, not for fish, just ornament on the rockery. A solar pump puts water through a resin frog "spitter", back into the pond. Tara had been with us two days, before we had sun, and had not noticed the pond. The first day in the garden with sun, and frog spitting, she went for it! Missed the frog, and head first into the pond. Has been fenced off ever since, but at least she is now big enough to get out on her own.
Re: Water Features [quote author=Penny+Me link=topic=10386.msg153072#msg153072 date=1427742581] I would LOVE to have a pool! My dream is to be able to swim with Penny, it's lush I'd be in there all the time hahaa [/quote] I have my friends spaniel round quite a lot and there is nothing stopping him getting in,Dex gives him a bit of a nip round the neck when he gets out as if to say ' that's not allowed' ;D You have to be careful swimming with them ,I've had a few quite hard claw rakes down the chest getting in the way of Dex striking out...I guess in other countries though you are wearing appropriate attire not your Debenhams bikini ;D ;D
Re: Water Features My friends' dog hated it when his people were in the sea. He'd go and "save" them, dragging them to shore by whatever appendage he could find. Quite often resulting in them swallowing half a gallon of seawater. He eventually deigned to let people hold onto him and he'd swim them back that way. But you weren't staying in there, oh no. That's dangerous, that is
