So, all dogs can swim. Just the way it is. Maybe barring some of the very large or very small dogs, but basically, most dogs can swim, they just need to be “motivated” to do so. For a couple months, we’ve been taking Mobius to the beach in Emeryville, where kite surfers launce their boards, and coaxing him into the water with little sticks, or by running into the bay with him. At first he was scared, but he quickly took to running around in knee-deep water (for him, chest deep, but whatever). Still, he never took that crucial step, and actually *swam*.

A couple weeks ago, we realized that he likes chasing, and fetching, *large* sticks. Three, four feet long sticks. He’s not so keen on shorter sticks or balls, but he loves running after large sticks.

So, today, we found a nice three foot stick on the beach, and I tossed it into the water. It’s a bit steeper into the water at the place we were today than where we normally go, so even modest throws would put the stick in water that would come up to his back. One time, I accidentally threw it a bit too far, and instead of waiting for it to float closer, he paddled out to get it. Just happened to be at *just* the right distance to make him actually swim. After a few shallower throws to give him some time to recover, I chucked it out a little ways, and out he swam, completely enthusiastic and fearless.

Awesome.