HOW TO START PADDLEBOARDING WITH YOUR DOG?

Can you SUP with a dog?

How do you SUP your puppy?

On a paddleboard, how do I get my dog?

Are you in love with your dog and want him to enjoy the freshwater waves with you? Here, we will know about all the stuff required for your dog to start with paddleboarding.

When you paddleboard with your dog, you get to enjoy the outdoors while floating in the water together. However, dogs can sometimes be challenging to bring with you when using a Stand Up Paddle Board.

It would be best to correctly prepare yourself before taking your pet out on the water. Dogs are naturally attracted to the water and feel at home on the paddleboard, not typically.

WHY SUP WITH YOUR PUP?

The exact reasons humans like stand up paddleboarding (SUP) also apply to dogs! Having a new perspective, peace, and accessibility. It is much easier to get dogs into and out of SUP boards than kayaks and canoes. A SUP board is less restricted in their movements and freer. But the most impressive aspect is the ease with which it can be learned. Human-dog pairs can get out on the water in just a few weeks if they practice, follow a simple training program, and use a stable board. This activity also provides an excellent outlet for social distancing this summer.

Humans can either do SUP as an intense workout or as something fun and relaxed. Your dog can indeed get a great activity on a SUP board as well. Like us, dogs use their core and leg muscles when standing on the board. Dogs and humans both benefit from swimming. When it's hot, why not take a dip in the pool? Swimming is a great way to maintain healthy muscles in older dogs or dogs with joint pain. SUP also provides a great bonding opportunity for dogs and their owners.

HOW TO PADDLEBOARD WITH YOUR DOG?

Here are a few tips on how you can teach your dog to ride on your stand-up paddleboard safely, easily, and for both of you to enjoy.

Place the board in a dry, familiar, safe environment.

Your dog will be more likely to get curious about your paddleboard and paddle if you put them in an open and dry area of your home. If they don't see it as normal, let them sniff and smell it as long as it takes.

Lure and guide your dog onto the sup board.

When your dog steps onto a WOWSEA paddleboard and when you want him to step off, it's important he understands. You can teach them quickly by using easy-to-learn commands that you can remember. It may seem confusing when you and your family are on the water, but if you use words other than "on" and "off," they won't be as confused. After hearing the keyword, they get on the board, offer a treat using hand motions and some helpful guidance the first few times. If you told them, it would help to keep on the paddleboard until you say the word to signal them to step off. Give them a treat if they do it correctly. After mastering this step, you can move on.

On the board practice "sit down", "stand", and "stay"

As soon as they are comfortable sitting for extended periods on the board and don't walk away without your verbal cue, sit or stand behind them on the board, so they feel as if you both share the space there with them.

Gradually increase their "stay" time on the board.

Your dog should lie down or sit or stay for an extended amount of time and gradually extend the stay. Working up to two or three minutes at a time, start at a duration your dog can handle.

A good tip is to teach your dog a release command like "hop off" so that it may leave the board. Tell your dog "hop off," then entice him off the board by giving a treat once all four paws are off.

Introduce the dog life jacket; it won't take long.

Since most dogs are good swimmers, it's a good idea to get a life jacket since the WOWSEA paddleboard adds a new element that's unfamiliar to your dog. The dog might get disoriented if it jumps off a board that tips. Before going in the water, have him try on the PFD at home to ensure it fits properly.

Introduce the paddle and paddling skill

Put your dog in down or sit and kneel behind your dog, just as you would in the water. Move the paddle on either side of your dog. When your dog is on the board, make sure the paddle doesn't bother them. Once you've got that down, practice standing up while paddling (you're still on dry land at this point).

Practice beside the water till skilled

You should practice a special command for jumping off the board before going out on the water and praise him only when he does so. If he falls off the board without the command, guide him back onto the board and try again. It will become second nature to him over time.

Enter shallow water and practice balance

When you are on the board, have your dog stay onshore. Make him feel at ease by waving, laughing, or smiling, so he knows it’s fun. 

Allow your dog to get on the board while it is still in shallow water. Allow him to jump off the board if he wishes after walking the board through shallow water.

Keep paddling in the kneeling position

Paddle in the kneeling position while ensuring that your dog is relaxed. Move slowly and ensure that your pet feels comfortable. Watch out for signs of stress such as whimpering, trembling, and pacing. 

Whenever your dog jumps off, you need to be ready for it. A large dog jumping off the board will cause the board to move a lot, and you may fall in when that happens. If you stand on top of the board, you should only do so in deep enough water and far away from dangers like boats and people.

You should assist your dog if it jumps off the board or falls off. Taking this precaution will prevent him from scratching the surface of the board. Life vests typically have handles so that you can grab on to them.

Paddle away after standing up on the board

With your dog you can now bring your paddleboard into the shallows and straddle the board. Once they are comfortable near the water, bring your Trophy T1 paddleboard into the deep water. You can introduce them to the water by paddling, sitting down, from a sitting position. The board will be less likely to rock so they can get used to it. Be sure they are comfortable when riding the board. There may be a time to turn back and go for a brief excursion another day if your animal shows signs of distress or acts like they want to jump into the water but are afraid.

SAFETY TIPS FOR SUP'ING WITH YOUR PUP

BRING A FIRST AID KIT

Bringing a portable first aid kit is a good idea if you plan to travel for several hours. You shouldn't rush back to treat injuries after paddleboarding - it should be fun, relaxing, and enjoyable. First aid kits can also temporarily repair damaged or ripped equipment.

APPLY SUNSCREEN TO YOUR DOG

Dogs, especially those with belly fat, are prone to sunburn, just like humans. Some dogs have a skinny layer of fur in that area of their body. A reflection of the sunlight from the water can cause them to burn. Be sure to use sunscreen on exposed areas and stay out of the sun for a few hours at a time.

KNEEL OR SIT NEAR HAZARDS

Standing on the board should only be done in open water, away from docks, shallow water, boats, people, or anything else that could cause danger. While paddleboarding, this is always a good idea, not just when you have a dog on board. It is precious when you have a pet that might throw you off at any moment.

RINSE YOUR DOG AFTERWARD

Salt can irritate the skin and paws of animals. Be sure to rinse off sand and saltwater after being in the water, and don't forget to pay attention to your ears. Leaving water in your dog's ears can lead to an ear infection.

BE AWARE OF BEACH HAZARDS

The presence of sea lice or jellyfish can irritate dogs and pose a hazard to both of you. Your dog's paws can also be damaged by sand that is too hot. You may even want to keep your pup in ankle-deep water if he is standing on the beach in the shade.

NEVER LEAVE YOUR DOG IN THE VEHICLE

Even though we all know this, it's always good to remember! Dogs can get heatstroke within minutes of being left in a car if they're left unattended in warm weather. Only take pets in the car if you're sitting there with them, the air conditioning is on, or the windows are open.

You've finally achieved your goal! Get your dog out on the water again and repeat all the steps above. Shallow water is also an excellent place to try it.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Before you can feel comfortable letting your dog swim, you will have to wait a little longer.

Does your dog seem to have no issue with water anymore? You need to put on your life jacket and head to deeper water if that happens. With WOWSEA, you can get the best SUP paddleboards which your dog learns to travel on by saying, Love, Enjoy My Lifestyle! Reach on to them to get more information about it.