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Cautious Dog Training

Well, you've got really good trim when he stays in position. (I edited your title to insert the word "Dog" to inrease searchability for future readers.)
 
My beloved yellow lab loved the water so much. He also loved to go in the canoe, but never jumped out in deep water, even when he would see ducks on the right side, immediately folll0wed by something interesting on the shore toward the left, with his 80 pounds shifting weight to get a better look on each side. All good fun and memories, on this very day with the terribly sad news that I have lost my best human friend and woodland traveling partner and conversationalist just this morning.
 
Yes our dogs are family.. Blackfly it looks like yours just needs some more outings to cement what is expected of him. Its a sad fact that humans don't think in dawg terms.
Once upon a time one of my trip partners told me as we searched for portages that were overgrown : "think like a voyageur; where would you put the portage?"

I think it helps to think like a dog too when asking a dog to do things for our convenience.
 
Well, you've got really good trim when he stays in position. (I edited your title to insert the word "Dog" to inrease searchability for future readers.
Trouble is more of his nick name. So far, it’s just been different, only trouble in my mind. He was a fall pup, remember, so he was huge by the time I got him in a canoe, and didn’t have a big enough boat until recently. And, He LOVES to swim, and just not to get from a-b. I’m working on a quick release training rig, like I would a mule or horse.
 
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Yes our dogs are family.. Blackfly it looks like yours just needs some more outings to cement what is expected of him. Its a sad fact that humans don't think in dawg terms.
Once upon a time one of my trip partners told me as we searched for portages that were overgrown : "think like a voyageur; where would you put the portage?"

I think it helps to think like a dog too when asking a dog to do things for our convenience.
This guy was really acquired to pacify the female heeler, who misses Bogan when we’re off tripping or at the cabin. She’s really attached to him, and he to her. It’s just a project to see how he does, I don’t ever “expect” him to go on expeditions. I’m retired. Might as well give it a shot. I removed the stern seat to add room today. Who knows what the future brings? He could mellow into the perfect (albeit large) trip partner.
 
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How do you like the canoe solo? That is one on my potential wish list.
It’s a gem. Handles well. Plenty responsive. I just took the stern seat out just to see how much gear capacity it has as a solo tripper. I can’t flip it or paddle on the right side too well yet due to shoulder surgery. About 10 lbs heavier than my Magic tripper.
 
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Sorry for your loss, @yknpdlr ! Always so hard to loss a canine companion.

@Black_Fly I had a coworker whose usual paddling formation was Labrador swimming behind the boat until too tired to do so. Obviously this depends on the dog, the ability to get back to shore, and your confidence that either you or the dog knows when it's time to rest. But might be a way to get wiggles and desire to swim out. I think dogs like routine, so maybe a chance for a quick swim before getting in the boat would also work.

Either way, seems like jumping out without permission to do so would probably be annoying at best. I've had uncomfortably close encounters between my dog (in the canoe) and a loon and a beaver respectively, both protecting young. I don't want to know how those interactions could turn out with in the dog in the water with the animal. There was also a case in Illinois years back of a mute swan drowning a capsized kayaker. Highly unlikely, but not a situation I'd want to try to disentangle a dog from (and risk capsizing myself in the process).
 
Well, luckily his front paws hit water first. He’s a diver. If he tried to spring off the gunwale I’d have got wet too, a certainly had that occurred in my normal tripping canoe. I’m heading back out today with a trick up my sleeve. We’ll see what happens.
 
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I find that if a young retriever pup has much energy at all, they will want to go for a swim. If I take Cricket out paddling and she hasn't been wasted on a hike and or swimming, she is anxious. Or the first day of an overnight paddle let's say. Once she gets the energy worked out she kind of settles in. Stick with it Blackfly, Cricket is 22 months now and getting better all the time. I just let her swim for a couple miles on the first day if she's got too much energy. You have to be careful of dead tail (cold tail) in cold water. Too much cold water swimming can make their tail go limp (sprain at the base of the tail). A baby aspirin and a couple days rest should fix it!

Overnighter on the W. branch of Susquehanna River first weekend in May (16' Prospector)

P5010029 by Barry Rains, on Flickr

P5010038 by Barry Rains, on Flickr

Good Luck,
Barry
 
The rig I made consists of carabiners lashed to the yoke and seat. A “Gentle Leader” (nose lead) attaches through the front carabiner with a quick release knot on the rear carabiner. A quick jerk of the live end releases the dog. I’m treating him at the beginning and end of the ride. He’s a great swimmer, much better than Bogan. The Prospector carries 5 gallons of water in the front. Feels a lot more stable than the Magic when he jumps out, as long as he doesn’t spring off the gunwale, at least. Now I’m working on the “down” command, with treats for compliance.

We did play follow the leader a little at the beach. Not sure if it encourages the behavior or inhibits it.🫤
 
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