Day 13: Can you Handle This?

Rob, Kevin and I are still sitting in the kitchen talking about dog training, but if I don't write this soon I will never get around to finishing all of the things I need to finish for work!

We headed down to the pond for some water blind training. Since it was warm out again today; we opted for big swims. We were back to true blinds with white bumpers again today. Kevin set the first one and I sent Fred through some muck and mud. He got 1/2 way across the pond and started getting off of his line. I whistle stopped him and gave him a left back; which turned into an over...um, what?

I didn't post this video because it largely turned into a whistle seminar and an etch a sketch type of trip to the bumper; plus I think I was cursing! We moved and reset the blind nearby and I sent him on a long swim which is what the video is of. He cheats a little bit at the end, but after the amount of swimming and whistling that was happening leading up to this; I let it slide.

So my question is this, how is it that this little dog can be so solid on his handles on land and seemingly have no clue what the difference between a back and an over is in the water? For the past hour we have been watching videos and talking about this. It seems to the consortium of unskilled and unaccomplished dog trainers that when I whistle stop him, I don't wait until he is directly focused on me and facing me. I have been giving him handles when he is sideways; and since on land he is sitting square on facing me; there is a very clear distinction in my handles.

So...while this swimming to the other side of the pond in a straight line thing is fun; I am going to need to learn how to teach him to be completely focused and facing me before I handle him. On the land, I run out there and reinforce the whistle, but I don't think that swimming out there is an option. Is an e-collar my only option; or are there other tricks that I can use to accomplish this?