The Heart to Heart Hold

What is the Heart to Heart?

The Heart to Heart is a way of holding your dog in the water where their chest rests against yours. Your dog can feel your breathing and your heartbeat, which naturally calms them. It is the single most important technique in this course — everything else builds on the trust you create here.

Why it works

Dogs are incredibly sensitive to your emotional state. When you hold them close in the water, your calm transfers to them. They stop fighting the water and start trusting you to keep them safe. This is not about restraining your dog — it is about giving them a safe place while they adjust to a new environment.

How to do it

Wade into the water to about waist depth. Gently lift your dog and bring them to your chest so their front paws rest on your shoulders or upper arms. Keep your body relaxed. Breathe slowly. Let your dog settle — some dogs take 30 seconds, others a few minutes. You will feel the moment they relax against you. That is the moment trust is established.

When to use it

Use the Heart to Heart at the start of every session, especially in the early weeks. It is also your go-to technique whenever your dog shows signs of stress — splashing frantically, trying to climb on top of you, or going rigid. Come back to the hold, let them reset, then try again.

Different sizes, same technique

This works for all breeds and sizes. With small dogs, you can hold them entirely against your chest. With large breeds like Newfoundlands, you support their chest while they float beside you. The principle is the same — heart to heart contact, calm energy, and patience.