[myfotoguy]

I agree that the tighter crop is better.

As far as the leave space for the subject to go. I think when you have a trail showing where they have been that it works really well. In this crop there is "just" enough to make it work. However, the tight crop to me looks more like the dog is splashing out of the water so the traditional rule of giving the subject someplace to go may have worked better. I guess you would need to see them side by side to decide though.

If you were able to get any lower to ghte ground to get thee dog and trail behind without including the horizon that might get the trail behind thing really well.

Either way, I like your shots and prefer the tighter crop.