The Joy of Dogs as Fishing Companions
Humans and dogs have always shared an incredible partnership. It might be hard to believe that all family dogs descended from wolves, but their ancestry can be traced back thousands of years. The exact details of when and where domestication occurred remain unclear due to natural and selective cross breeding throughout the global movement of breeds, complicating genetic lineages. However, based on DNA and fossil evidence, researchers estimate domestication happened as early as 40,000 years ago.
At some point, wolves and humans began a symbiotic relationship that led to our beloved domestic dogs. This relationship continues today as dogs serve as hunters, shepherds, guardians, and even take on critical roles as service animals, police K-9 units, and search and rescue dogs during catastrophic events. Most of us know them as great companions and even consider them as members of our family. They are certainly better listeners than your average teenager and, frankly, enjoy spending time with us too.
Today, we look at what it takes for a dog to be a good river dog and companion. The simple answer is “love and trust.” These are the elements at the heart of our relationship and form a mutually beneficial partnership. We will also meet some river dogs and their guardian humans.
Bringing your dog along when you go fishing is a wonderful idea, but not every dog is cut out to be a river dog. First and foremost, always consider the safety of your dog. Are they good swimmers? Can they handle crossing a stream without being swept away by the current? Most importantly, will they listen to commands? While not required, it helps if your dog is a breed that has evolved from traditional hunting or water dogs. My Shepherd mix isn’t in that category and struggles with deeper water, so he stays in the shallows, on the banks, or perched on a nearby rock, always within my sight.
Training is essential before taking your dog to the river. Invest time and, if needed, money in obedience training. Starting with a younger dog or puppy can be advantageous. Your dog should be very good at following various commands. You will know which commands your dog needs to learn, such as “stay,” “wait,” “heel,” “over here,” and “let’s go.” You should slowly introduce them to the water and practice the commands in the water. No matter how good they are, you must always keep an eye on them, as even well-trained dogs need supervision.
Laura and Kimber
Arizona, USA
Kimber is an 8-year-old Super Mutt! Aussie/German Shepherd Mix who lives up to her name… “she can be quite the pistol!” (Kimber is also the name of a firearm company.) She lives her best life as an “adventure dog” and can sometimes get a little too big for her britches embracing the “Call of the Wild!”
In the beginning it was almost impossible to fish with Kimber… she loves the water and would jump in every hole and scare all the fish. It took a lot of training to keep her on the banks. Laura notes that the key to having a great day is to share specific time playing on the water with Kimber. “After I’m done with a hole, I’ll let her jump in and do her thing.” She also notes that having bully stick treats helps.
When it comes to having Kimber along Laura says, “it warms my heart to see her in her element where her natural instincts come alive. Whether it’s leading me down the trail, zoomies through the forest, alerting to danger, bringing me animal bones, finding the tiniest bit of shade when it gets hot, sips from the creek when she’s thirsty, stalking squirrels and boulder hopping, she always puts a smile on my face.”
I now take my dog with me on nearly every fishing and camping trip, and it’s beneficial for both of us. We watch out for each other. He alerts me to approaching anglers, deer, and potentially, though I have no actual evidence, keeps bears and mountain lions away. Our mutual reliance is at the heart of our relationship. He’s become very agile, and our “rock hopping” down banks or along streams is great mental exercise for him. He often shows me better paths around obstructions and easier ways back up hillsides.
Taking your dog into the wild comes with health challenges, and keeping your dog healthy is essential for their safety. First, ensure your dog has a clean water supply. While streams may seem like a convenient source, not all wild water is safe to drink. Stagnant water can harbor Giardia, a parasite that can make your dog very sick or worse still… toxic cyanobacteria (don’t skip reading this link)… known commonly as “blue-green algae blooms.” These are much more common on ponds and lakes than they are on rivers but there is always a risk in still water that is exposed to sunlight. Very scary and depending on where you fish may prevent you from having your dog with you.
Dogs also love to explore with their noses and mouths, which can lead to trouble with plants, mushrooms, or even animal carcasses. This brings us to the risk of parasites like ticks, pests like mosquitoes, and, in some areas, leeches. These can all transmit diseases to your dog. Prevention is key, so talk to your veterinarian about vaccinations. Consider the 7-in-1 vaccine, which covers Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, Coronavirus, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, and Leptospirosis, and ensure their rabies shots are up to date. Keeping your dog protected helps ensure many more safe and enjoyable adventures together.
Stephane and Soyo
Nouméa, New Caledonia
Soyo is half Labrador and half Pitbull, 3 years old. Soyo loves playing with children and is a good protector. As a New Caledonian dog, he learned early to hunt and follow Stephane while fishing. They spend their time together in the ‘bush’ to hunt and fish. Naturally, Soyo learned to swim and love water quickly.
Soyo’s family owns a cabin on land with creeks and rivers that they visit on the weekends. Stephane says that when they turn off the car engine and open the hatch, Soyo jumps outside of the car and runs to the river. He then spends 1 to 2 hours in the water trying to catch jungle perch! Stephane thinks Soyo was an angler in his previous life… He is certainly a big part of their family.
A river dog needs essential gear and supplies for a safe and enjoyable adventure. Basics include water and food with bowls, a leash no longer than 6 feet, and possibly a whistle for training recall. Bring a good dog bed for car rides, a towel for drying off after water play, and a long tether for securing your dog at the campground.
Don’t forget the most important item: poop bags! Always pack out what you bring in. Never leave full poop bags along the trail, intending to pick them up later. It’s frustrating to find them littering a beautiful trail. To minimize this, let your dog do their business at the trailhead before setting off, reducing the amount you need to carry back out.
When fishing with dogs, it’s important to follow etiquette and take responsibility for their behavior. First, obey rules regarding dogs in protected areas. In wilderness areas where dogs are allowed, be aware of wildlife dangers. For instance, on a trail to a mountain lake, I once encountered people warning about a moose in the area that, unable to distinguish dogs from wolves or coyotes, was known for chasing and trying to trample them. We turned back immediately.
Be mindful of your dog’s interactions with strangers and other dogs. My shepherd mix, for example, is very guarded and tends to bark at people and other dogs, which can provoke other animals. He has alerted me more than once to another angler who appeared by surprise. Always keep your dog on a leash where you might encounter others to ensure everyone’s safety.
Andy and Rosie
Northern Utah, USA
Rosie is an 8 year old Berna doodle who is loving, lazy and kind of dopey most of the time. Andy says to think of her as an 85-pound moose. Rosie loves playing to exhaustion in either snow or a body of water to the point that she needs extra encouragement to get back into the truck to go home.
She is affectionate with all people unless they are wearing a UPS or Postal Services uniform who she is certain are there to commit mass murder. This sends her into a fit of loud barking until they are gone. Once she has done her duty of protecting the house, she will find a family member so she can receive praise for again saving her family from certain death.
Andy first took her fishing on a favorite local stream at about age two. He was sure she would love the water but wasn’t sure if she would be a good fishing companion. The creek is the home to spawning native Bonneville cutthroat trout and an ever-growing population of beaver. On this first trip with her, Rosie bounded to edge of a beaver pond and splashed into the entry riffle, pretty much exactly where Andy was going to cast. After extricating Rosie from the pond, they had a lengthy discussion about fishing companion etiquette. Andy assured her that he would not begrudge her the fun she would like to have but that she also shouldn’t ruin every single hole he wanted to fish. This chat along with some treats helped her to hold on a “heel” command. Thereafter Rosie stood where she needed to and Andy got to catch some nice cutthroat trout.
Andy says that he normally prefers to fish alone with only a few human fishing partners whose company he enjoys. But having Rosie with him on the river gives him someone to talk to about whatever is on his mind. Rosie is a great listener, and she continues to never crash the spot Andy wants to cast to.
Being in nature can bring out your dog’s deeply buried instincts, like chasing squirrels and bunnies. While a leash prevents such chases and prepares you for encounters with larger wildlife, it can also become a hazard in rocky areas where it might get snagged. It’s important to find a balance and use common sense about when to let your dog off-leash. Know the rules for the area you’re in and train your dog well to stop and wait on command.
With all these serious points above made, having your dog along on the river is very fun. It can be very entertaining. One minute they will be sitting on the bank watching, and the next, they are quietly sneaking up behind you to give the fish a sniff before you let it go. Dogs on the water are incredibly photogenic; I probably have more pictures of my dog than of the fish I’ve caught and, dare I say, more than I have of my own kid. When camping they are also great companions and protectors. I always feel safer when camping alone if my buddy is with me. I hope you have enjoyed meeting these river dogs and their guardians in this article. Here is one more. My own buddy “Fezzik”.
Dennis and Fezzik
Colorado, USA
Fezzik is a 3 year old, crazy mix of German shepherd, Australian/American Shepherd, Collie and who knows what? If you have seen the movie “the Princess Bride” then you know the character Fezzik, played by the late Andre the Giant. Fezzik is comical and smart as a whip. He needed a little bit of training at first and maybe still some more to help with his anxiousness about other dogs and people. He eventually warms up but is always sure to bark the rules at you if you come into the house.
Even as a small puppy, Fezzik seemed to love the water and baths. When I finally got him out onto a stream to “get his feet wet,” he found out quickly that he couldn’t walk on water. Good thing the spot he stepped on wasn’t too deep or fast moving. Since then, he has a healthy respect for the water and is somewhat cautious about it when it hits belly level, but never afraid to get his feet wet.
I really love having him with me as a traveling buddy. We camp and fish and he keeps me focused on having fun and laughing. There is genuine love in his eyes and when we are apart he reminds me when I come back home how much he missed me.
The decision to bring your pup along is one of pros and cons. You must balance the challenges, the time, training, and their ability to be there with you safely. Knowing their limitations as well as yours should be part of the final decision. Having said all this, if your dog is a good candidate to be with you on the river, do it! It will be good for both of you. Just know that it is an ongoing job to keep learning, training, watching your dog on those adventures. A pocket full of treats on the stream will keep their attention and keep them following your directions. Off the stream there are lots of resources to help make you a great river leader and caretaker for your dog. I have a list of additional reading suggestions and resources below.
Some additional reading and resources:
- https://www.salmontroutsteelheader.com/blogs/articles/training-the-perfect-fishing-dog-randall-bonner
- https://www.sportsmanspride.com/blog/fishingwithyourdog
Dennis Vander Houwen is an early adopter of tenkara, he lives and fishes all over Colorado. For more information on living simply or approaching a richer life with fewer things check out his blog, Tenkara Path, where you can also support his tenkara lifestyle by purchasing one of his amazing, handmade tenkara line spool, fly keepers. Learn more about Tenkara Lifestyles here.
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