Swim with handler (a junior exercise)

    Swim with handler is the last exercise for NCA water test junior devision.  I think this is a good way to show a handler and a dog can work together.  I have not had any problem with this exercise.  I just train my dog to swim next to me in calm manner just like teaching to heel next to me.  At tests, some people dash out to go in front of their dogs, so their dogs cannot scratch or be on top of them.  I don't understand why they do that...as a working dog handler, I  want to see that dogs can work with their handlers without any harm to each other.
    I train my dog to swim next to me as soon as I introduce him to swimming.  I start from walking in water next to him just like heeling (walk parallel to shore).  He is on leash.  He learns to walk nicely next to me in water first.  Then I take him to his swimming depth (I still walk), still parallel to shore.  Since I am still walking, I have better control of his body in case he starts crowding, climbing up on me, or moving away from me.  If he bumps into me, I can gently push him away and guide with my left hand splashing water in front of him (if I use my right hand, he will probably come in front of me).  The key is I'm walking next to him to have good control.  Since it's likely I don't get scratched (or gets less scratched) when he is under my control, I can stay calm, too.  If I get frustrated or need to fight with my dog to gain control, it does not help my dog to learn.