[seeker1950]

My friend and I were out in the pool exercising. Friend (female) loves my Golden Retriever mix, Fozzie, who has always loved her. We were talking to Fozzie who was on the deck a few feet from her in the pool, looking down on her. All of a sudden his whole demeanor changed and he actually looked and acted vicious and aggressive, barking at her in a very threatening way. She backed away from him in the pool, where he stood near the edge (he won't go in the water). I've never had such a thing happen with any dog I've owned. Fozzie is such a sweet loving and goofy boy. I've tried to analyze what friend may have done/said that could have triggered this. She had a floatie noodle around her, the ends sticking up under each of her arms, and that is the only thing that may have seemed strange to Fozzie, but for such a reaction, seems unlikely.
I keep Fozzie contained in my yard and he doesn't interact with people freely, so I'm not worried about this happening regularly, but it does worry me. Has anyone else observed anything like this?

[Omers]

My guess would be the floaty noodle. He may have even misunderstood it as a threat to your friend.

[unaluna]

Good idea, Omers, he prolly thought it was a snake! he was really trying to protect her from it! Good dog! I mean dogs don't see THAT well, right? they're color blind...

[seeker1950]

OmersHankster Thank you both. Friend and I both wondered about the floatie noodle. I adopted Fozzie from the pound at 8 weeks old, so I know he has no previous issues. He has always had a loving, healthy environment. I'm hoping you are correct about the noodle!
Patty

[popeye]

Like I said...Labs can be a problem too.

[lizardlady]

Seeker, if you think it was the noodle that bothered him how about an experiment? Have your friend stand in the pool with and without the noodle and see if your dog reacts.

[arcangel]

I'd bet on the snake theory too. And what's up w/ a retriever who doesn't like water lol.
That's probably a good thing as far as pool care goes

[kitty004567]

Has the dog been back around your friend since? My dogs have occasionally been aggressive to people who are around a lot (Mom, ex-bf etc.) but in each instance the dog thought I was in danger. That doesn't sound like the case here but it may well be that your dog thought your friend was in danger.

the noodle was something different & spooked him probably...look at it from a dog's eye...big wavy thing totally different shape etc...

didn't matter it was your friend...if a dog sees something it isn't used to it will bark, raise it's coat, crouch, etc or flee. that is how they react.

many labs don't like water...just like some hunting dogs don't like to hunt or are gun shy...being a water dog breed doesn't mean all of them swim like fish...especially in pools...many dogs drown each year in pools because that is not a natural water source...they can't get out easily & panic...plus it doesn't "smell" right...chlorine etc.

i would have your friend come over & sit quietly in the yard & then let your dog out & just see what occurs. don't say anything to the dog. let him come to her. you can't force a feeling of safety.

keep the noodles away for the time being (altho it is september anyway)...then maybe just leave them around on the ground where he can sniff them & maybe pee on them to show that he is the boss...& make peace with them so he won't be afraid .

dogs don't have the same thinking process we do..they just can't go.."oh swimming noodle around a friend"...

stumpy

oops..forgot..you might want to increase his exposure to other people as well...take him on walks around your area etc so that he is around more people & gets used to them. perhaps if he has limited exposure to people that was part of his reaction as well...

familiarity calms fear.

stumpy