Working dogs are busy animals, although the classification between “work” and “fun” is blurred when these dogs hit the water. The Portuguese Water Dog Association holds Water Trials regularly for competitive dogs and owners. Lara Schindler, a Canine Water Sports Trainer and Owner of Happy Dog, Happy Owner, says that if you’ve trained your dog in basic obedience, you can do water work. “There are water trials all over the country. Testing events create achievement goals, gives you a place to socialize with other water dog enthusiasts and a chance to earn recognition awards such as merits, certificates and titles.” Schindler is an ABC Certified Dog Trainer, honors graduate of Animal Behavior College, and Pet First Aid certified through the American Red Cross. Her San Diego-based dog training organization is dedicated to helping dog owners develop successful relationships with their pets through productive and positive reinforcement training techniques in obedience, agility and water sports. The relatively new concept of Canine Water Sports was developed on the East Coast by Deborah Lee Miller-Riley. Canine Water Sports training programs help build a learning relationship with a water-loving dog based on trust, respect and cooperation earned shoulder to shoulder and literally eye to eye. Schindler patterned her training after Miller-Riley’s, and says that formal classes are not necessary to participate in Water Trial competitions: just a water-loving dog and a willingness to work shoulder-to-shoulder with your pet. For owners who want to compete, local trainers and association are a good resource. Portuguese Water Dog (PWD) Water Trials are a breed-specific competition based on the traditional fishing boat work the dogs did for Portuguese fisherman including retrieving items, relaying messages from boat to boat, and diving for items underwater. While most of the competitive exercises require training, they also play on natural instincts to swim and retrieve. Water trial scoring is pass/fail with a time limit factored into each exercise. For those who are looking to own a Portuguese Water Dog, Schindler cautions to “make sure you can provide both the mental and physical exercise that PWDs require. Daily activity is a must.” For more information on Canine Water Sports, contact Lara Schindler at 619-889-8606 www.happydoghappyowner.com . For Southern California’s upcoming PWD Water Trials, contact chair Susan Cucura (310) 391-9991 HYPERLINK “http://www.pwdca.org” http://www.pwdca.org