Hilarious moment dog owner plunges into a river after being dragged in during a game of catch

This is the hilarious moment a woman was unexpectedly pulled into the river by her excited pup as they enjoyed a walk along the bank.

Steph Cousins, 35, was enjoying an idyllic walk in the Peak District with her dog Winnie, but was plunged into the water while playing with her pet.

She was throwing sticks at the German Shorthaired Pointer when the dog tightened its leash and dragged Steph inside.

Footage of the funny accident showed a laughing Steph pulling herself out of the water as she waved at the camera.

“Do you have that on video?” she asked her friend, who was filming.

Moments earlier, she captured beautiful footage of Steph watching her dog playfully paddle in and out of the water.

The owner, a teaching assistant from Derbyshire, said five-year-old Winnie ‘loves it’ throwing sticks into the river.

“This is the first time she’s taken me,” she joked.

Steph revealed that as she slid down the bank, it seemed quick and sudden, but it dragged on in her mind.

“It really felt like slow motion,” she admitted.

“It didn’t happen as quickly in my head as it did on the video.”

She thought she ‘might be able to make it through this’ when her foot slipped through – but to no avail.

“It was too late,” Steph continued. “And I just thought, I’m going in!”

Steph Cousins, 35, enjoyed an idyllic walk with her dog Winnie but was plunged into the water while playing with her pet

The adorable moment captured Steph’s playful mishap with five-year-old Winnie while they were out for a walk

She was throwing sticks at the German Shorthaired Pointer when the dog tightened its leash and dragged Steph inside

Footage of the funny accident showed a laughing Steph pulling herself out of the water as she waved at the camera

Moments earlier, she captured beautiful footage of Steph watching her dog playfully paddle in and out of the water

The owner, a teaching assistant from Derbyshire, said five-year-old Winnie ‘loves it’ throwing sticks into the river

Steph, pictured, was enjoying a sunny walk with her dog Winnie when she was dunked in the water

Later in the clip, her friend asked Steph if she was cold – as she sat soaking wet on the grass – but she brushed aside any concerns by saying she would dry off in the car.

It’s because researchers have found that interacting with dogs generates electrical activity in the part of the brain associated with relaxation, concentration, creativity and attention.

The team from Konkuk University in South Korea recruited 30 adult participants for their study.

She laughed as she pulled herself out of the water after Winnie’s enthusiasm pulled her in

Five-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer Winnie couldn’t contain her excitement in the hilarious video

They were asked to perform eight different activities with a well-trained four-year-old poodle, including playing with a hand toy, giving her treats and taking pictures with her.

Analysis revealed that the power of alpha brain waves increased when participants played and walked the dog, reflecting a state of relaxation.

Meanwhile, grooming or gently massaging the poodle caused an increase in beta brain waves – a boost typically associated with increased concentration.

Those who took part in the study also reported feeling significantly less tired, depressed and stressed after all dog-related activities.

The team said that while ‘affection’ for the animal may have played a role in triggering these feelings, the findings add to evidence that dog therapy – often used in hospitals, schools and prisons – can help reduce anxiety and stress.

The authors wrote in the journal Plos One: ‘This study has shown that specific dog activities can activate greater relaxation, emotional stability, attention, concentration and creativity by facilitating increased brain activity.’