Local group training dogs on Ottawa River for water rescues

A group of dog enthusiasts is helping their canines return to their water rescue roots. 

Joan Fisher, a longtime Newfoundland dog owner and trainer, meets with her group twice a week during the summer to help train dogs in water rescue.

They take their furry friends to the Ottawa River in Dunrobin to train in various scenarios, which can include hauling boats or people from the water and bringing ropes to victims. 

People who bring their dogs volunteer to act as victims in the water. Donning wetsuits and sometimes waving toys to catch the dog's attention, they splash in the water and call for help. 

There are three different training levels the dogs can achieve, but unlike in other sports or dog training activities, there's no sense of competition, Fisher said.

Everyone wants to see the dogs succeed, she said.

"Everybody's cheering for the dog to pass," she said in an interview last week with CBC Radio's Ottawa Morning.

"All the dogs are important to everybody and so it's a wonderful camaraderie." 

Connecting dogs to their breed's past

Fisher's dog, an eight-year-old Newfoundland, is currently training at the advanced level. 

A Newfoundlander herself, Fisher said she grew up with the mighty breed. Her father owned Newfoundland dogs, she said, and she'd always wanted one of her own. 

The large dog breed was once used as companions for fishermen, she pointed out, helping with hauling in nets and rescuing people or objects from the water. 

"We're just a group of Newfoundland dog aficionados who like to train the dogs in what they are genetically meant to do," Fisher said.

Referencing the fictional Newfoundland dog Nana from the book Peter Pan, Fisher said the breed is also incredibly protective, with great instincts for helping children and weaker swimmers first. 

But it's not just Newfoundland dogs that take part in the group. A six-year-old black Labrador Retriever named Ranger also joins the training. 

While he is still working toward his junior training title, he is already going above and beyond: last week, Ranger fearlessly swam to a rowboat, pulling both the boat and a person in distress roughly 20 metres to the shore.

Ottawa Morning9:58Water Rescue Dog Training

"I'll train any dog that wants to come," said Fisher, adding that the practices are fun for both the dogs and their owners.

"The minute you open the car door, [the dogs] are out," she said. "It's a wonderful experience for them. They love to come here."