Stand up paddling with your dog can be a great activity. You can use it for swimming training or simply explore the waters together! However, before you go into the water there are some preparations you need to make – to have a fun and to stay safe in the water.
I won’t go into much detail on the different types of boards. In principle for beginners I would recommend a wider board, since it will be more stable in the water due to the larger surface area. Inflatable SUPs are great because they provide enough grip for your dog – don’t worry, your dog’s claws will not cause any serious damage to the board.
TIPP: A good idea is to find your local SUP rental where you can try different types of boards and get some basic training on the paddling technique. Sometimes they also sell older models as they replace them for new ones. That is how we got a great deal on our board!
Get used to the board
For dogs who have never been on a SUP this step can be very helpful. Leave the SUP somewhere in the house and let your dog get used to the surface. The padded area usually offers enough grip for your dog so that he feels comfortable there. Use treats to teach your dog the best position and gently introduce movement to the board.
Practice in shallow water
For your first time in the water I recommend finding a shallow spot where you and your dog can reach the ground. Let your dog get on the board by walking from the shore. Let them get comfortable with the boards movement before you get on the board yourself. For your first few sessions on the water I recommend staying in the shallow to build confidence and get used to the movement of the board. You don’t need to stand up right away – advance at your own speed. Try sitting on the board, kneeling, getting up, so your dog gets used to your movement on the board. This way you can get used to your dogs movement as well.
Practice the fall! Use the time in the shallow water to practise situations like when your dog decides to jump off and you both end up in the water. Learn how to get back on the board quickly and teach your dog how to get back on the board from the water with your help. This will prepare you both if this happens further away from the shore. At this stage you could also teach your dog commands for positions and getting on and off the board.
Tipp: for your first few times on the water try to keep distractions for your dog at a minimum. Your dog will have a much harder time staying still on the board when there are other dogs running around and people throwing toys in the water.
Advance
When you feel confident in the shallow it’s time to move on. Find the right position on the board for your dog and yourself. Usually the best spot for yourself will be in the middle of the board where you will have the most stable footing with your dog right in front of you. Move further away from the shore and practise your first strokes.
Safety first!
There are a few safety tipps to consider when you take your dog to the water. Like we mentioned before: build confidence slowly and don’t rush things. If your dog panics NEVER force him to get on the board!
When you paddle further away from the shore it’s always good to know the terrain. Are there currents you need to be aware of? Are there water plants you can get stuck in? If you are exploring unknown waters, check beforehand e.g. with google maps or ask someone who knows the area.
Even if your dog is a natural born swimmer, you can never be prepared enough. I always use a life jacket for my dogs, especially on the SUP. It gives your dog additional safety while swimming and makes it easier for you to help him get on the SUP from the water. Just grab the handle on the back and gently lift you dog until his back foot reaches the board. Practise this move in shallow water first.
Never use a leash on the SUP. If you and your dog fall in the water the leash can get tangled and lead to dangerous situations!
When it’s too hot outside limit the time your dog is in the sun and try to find a shady spot on the shore where he can rest. Swimming is an exhausting activity – always watch your dog for signs of heatstroke when temperatures are high. Some of those can be: hypersalivation (drooling), heavy short breathing, high heart rate, dizziness, lack of coordination or vomiting.
Last but not least – don’t forget to use sun-cream for yourself.
Tipp: Get a waterproof bag that you can attach to the board. It will protect your keys, wallet & phone, while you leave the rest of your stuff in the car. We got ours at a local store for water sports – shoutout to hangloose.com
I hope this short introduction to stand up paddling with your dog was useful and maybe you want to try it yourself. You can find lots of safety equipment and water-toys in our shop. Find more tips on swimming training or choosing the right life jacket for your dog in our blog post High-intesity swimming for dogs. If you have any questions just contact us at [email protected] or write a message on social media.
SUP with Pup for Beginners
Stand up paddling with your dog can be a great activity. You can use it for swimming training or simply explore the waters together! However, before you go into the water there are some preparations you need to make – to have a fun and to stay safe in the water.
I won’t go into much detail on the different types of boards. In principle for beginners I would recommend a wider board, since it will be more stable in the water due to the larger surface area. Inflatable SUPs are great because they provide enough grip for your dog – don’t worry, your dog’s claws will not cause any serious damage to the board.
TIPP: A good idea is to find your local SUP rental where you can try different types of boards and get some basic training on the paddling technique. Sometimes they also sell older models as they replace them for new ones. That is how we got a great deal on our board!
Get used to the board
For dogs who have never been on a SUP this step can be very helpful. Leave the SUP somewhere in the house and let your dog get used to the surface. The padded area usually offers enough grip for your dog so that he feels comfortable there. Use treats to teach your dog the best position and gently introduce movement to the board.
Practice in shallow water
For your first time in the water I recommend finding a shallow spot where you and your dog can reach the ground. Let your dog get on the board by walking from the shore. Let them get comfortable with the boards movement before you get on the board yourself. For your first few sessions on the water I recommend staying in the shallow to build confidence and get used to the movement of the board. You don’t need to stand up right away – advance at your own speed. Try sitting on the board, kneeling, getting up, so your dog gets used to your movement on the board. This way you can get used to your dogs movement as well.
Practice the fall! Use the time in the shallow water to practise situations like when your dog decides to jump off and you both end up in the water. Learn how to get back on the board quickly and teach your dog how to get back on the board from the water with your help. This will prepare you both if this happens further away from the shore. At this stage you could also teach your dog commands for positions and getting on and off the board.
Tipp: for your first few times on the water try to keep distractions for your dog at a minimum. Your dog will have a much harder time staying still on the board when there are other dogs running around and people throwing toys in the water.
Advance
When you feel confident in the shallow it’s time to move on. Find the right position on the board for your dog and yourself. Usually the best spot for yourself will be in the middle of the board where you will have the most stable footing with your dog right in front of you. Move further away from the shore and practise your first strokes.
Safety first!
There are a few safety tipps to consider when you take your dog to the water. Like we mentioned before: build confidence slowly and don’t rush things. If your dog panics NEVER force him to get on the board!
When you paddle further away from the shore it’s always good to know the terrain. Are there currents you need to be aware of? Are there water plants you can get stuck in? If you are exploring unknown waters, check beforehand e.g. with google maps or ask someone who knows the area.
Even if your dog is a natural born swimmer, you can never be prepared enough. I always use a life jacket for my dogs, especially on the SUP. It gives your dog additional safety while swimming and makes it easier for you to help him get on the SUP from the water. Just grab the handle on the back and gently lift you dog until his back foot reaches the board. Practise this move in shallow water first.
Never use a leash on the SUP. If you and your dog fall in the water the leash can get tangled and lead to dangerous situations!
When it’s too hot outside limit the time your dog is in the sun and try to find a shady spot on the shore where he can rest. Swimming is an exhausting activity – always watch your dog for signs of heatstroke when temperatures are high. Some of those can be: hypersalivation (drooling), heavy short breathing, high heart rate, dizziness, lack of coordination or vomiting.
Last but not least – don’t forget to use sun-cream for yourself.
Tipp: Get a waterproof bag that you can attach to the board. It will protect your keys, wallet & phone, while you leave the rest of your stuff in the car. We got ours at a local store for water sports – shoutout to hangloose.com
Dog Puller Micro
€ 8,90
I hope this short introduction to stand up paddling with your dog was useful and maybe you want to try it yourself. You can find lots of safety equipment and water-toys in our shop. Find more tips on swimming training or choosing the right life jacket for your dog in our blog post High-intesity swimming for dogs. If you have any questions just contact us at [email protected] or write a message on social media.
See you in the water!
Martina