My Labrador Dante took a wee while to get used to water. That changed when we headed along to Perth’s Willowgate Adventure Centre for a ‘puppies go paddling’ session. These encourage dogs and owners to try kayaking and paddleboarding in a safe environment – on two man-made lagoons – with friendly instructors keeping a beady eye on you. It’s a shame when folk sign up and spend the time trying to coax their dog into the water. For those who prefer to simply swim with their dogs, the centre runs ‘puppies go swimming’ sessions at £5 a pop.