Recall –
I would advise against paddling with your dog with a leash attached, if your dog enters the water this can create a hazard by getting caught on items underwater or other passing vessels.
Not only can leashes present a risk of catching on underwater items, but cause danger if your vessel were to capsize.. When capsizing a lead securing your dog could prevent your dog from paddling out from under your vessel to safety, in turn adding an unnecessary level of panic and danger to your rescue and remounting your vessel.
It is necessary that you carry a leash for your dog, particularly if you are launching in busy areas where there may be small children and groups enjoying picnics, always be respectful & keep your dog under close control in public areas.
A strong Recall is an essential skill required to ensure you can enjoy watersport hobbies with your dog. When pulling up to shore in remote and unfamiliar areas, a reliable recall is required to ensure your dog does not worry livestock, run off in an unknown area, or run up to persons/dogs in the area. Taking steps to ensure your dog is under control while launching and landing your vessel is essential.
Appropriate Vessel –
When considering watersports with your dog, ensure your vessel is suitable for your skill level and your dog’s size and comfort.
When choosing your vessel the key things to consider are –
*Your skill and experience.
*Where can the dog comfortably travel on the vessel
*Rescue, can you safely carry out a self-rescue and board your vessel in an emergency?
Paddleboards come in a variety of sizes & are weight-rated.
If you are already paddle boarding and considering training your dog to join you for days on the water do check the weight rating of your board. You may have to upgrade your board to be a suitable size for you both to paddle comfortably, and be suited to your combined weight.
As these do not have high sides, self-rescue for you and your dog in this type of vessel can be achieved easily with practice.
When paddleboarding i recommend use of a waist lead as an alternative to ankle lead, this is not only safer for yourself but also minimized the risk presented to your dog also
Canoes provide a vast amount of size and storage, with plenty of room for you both to move comfortably. If paddling with a larger dog be aware of the actions needed when the vessel can be unsteadied by a sudden movement or weight shift in the vessel, and ensure you have the skill and experience to be able to react in this situation.
Do ensure your paddling skill level allows you to safely self-rescue both you and your dog in open water before taking your dog on a canoe trip.
Kayaks come in a variety of styles.
Kayaks with cockpits & sea kayaks are not best suited to dogs.
These are more sensitive to weight shifts and movement, and dogs sitting in open cockpits can present risks of being trapped when capsized. Self Rescue in a cockpit-type kayak would be extremely challenging even for the most skilled paddlers.
Inflatable Kayaks come in a range of sizes, styles & quality. Some inflatable Kayaks have a soft hull that moves more underfoot can add extra difficulty for a dog to comfortably gain its sea legs. Adding in a solid foam base or a body board can be a great way of providing extra stability and protecting against claws. If your dog were to become stressed or overstimulated and bite or dig when in an inflatable vessel, this could have extremely dangerous consequences for everyone on board.
This risk also applies to paddleboards.
Sit on top Kayaks are rigid and offer more stability due to the design of the hull.
When assessing if this type of kayak is suited to you and your dog, consider your dog’s size and your combined weight. Self-rescue for you can your dog can be achieved easily with practice and appropriate safety measures.
Boats, whether you have a row boat or a speed boat, it is important that you introduce your dog to this gradually. Ensure you take time to get your dog used to engine noises, the motion of the moving boat & safely boarding the vessel. Taking the time to slowly introduce your dog to the boat ensures they do not present a risk or distraction when driving.
Flotation Aid
These Save lives. Both you and your dog should have an appropriate Life Jacket.
I strongly support that no person or dog should ever be taking part in paddle sports or boating without one.
Canine Buoyancy aids (B.A ) come in a range of styles and quality.
A life jacket / B.A purchased from a local general superstore or a budget online outlet is unlikely to be both properly fitting and provide the buoyancy needed for your dog’s weight in an emergency.
Consider your dog’s body shape and needs when choosing a suitable B.A.
Choose a B.A which is weight rated correctly for your dog, just as you would when choosing your own.
Handles are one of the most important features of a B.A . A strong handle in a suitable place to allow you to reach and haul your dog back aboard your vessel is essential. I would recommend practicing this frequently, and ensuring you both are comfortable with this before traveling on the water.
When a dog is swimming wearing a B.A it alters the position their body is in the water from the way they would swim normally. Take the time to let your dog get used to being in the water and swimming in this position.
If you have a Brachycephalic breed or even a Long Dog which has a body composition that is not suited to swimming, I would suggest very careful considerations before taking your dog out onto the water. My personal opinion is that there are far to many risks presented by water to flat faced breeds and that paddlesports and swimming is to dangerous for these breeds.
There are adapted life jackets and float ring collars can offer support and flotation under the head, however, it is vital that your dog is comfortable and that their effectiveness and suitability has been thoroughly assessed. For this type of assessment ,seek advice and a consultation from a certified canine hydrotherapist.
Training
If you fail to Prepare, Prepare to fail.I do not support “ winging it ” or “ giving it a go ” The results of this going wrong can be both traumatic and life-threatening.
Your dog should already have a good level of basic training, having control of your dog and ensuring your dog has recall is mandatory to enjoy paddle sports together safely.
Skill, ensure you have the skills and experience required to control your chosen vessel, before considering including your dog in your hobby.
When taking up Paddle sports I highly recommend doing a foundation safety and rescue course as a minimum.
Stability training provides muscle conditioning required for prolonged periods on unstable platforms. This type of training can start at home. Wobble boards and stability cushions are some examples of which can be used for this. Both you and your dog can increase your core strength and stability through this type of training.
Wetsuits- even on the warmest days i would recommend wearing a wet suit while training your dog for paddle sports.
If your dog panics or swims past you their claws can cause serious injury.
Particularly for larger dogs, if your dog is either passionate about swimming or a non swimmer a wet suit is essential during the training phase.
Okay you’re ready, your dogs ready, you have your chosen vessel & you have the appropriate water safety items needed.
What next?
Remember how to REACT to reduce the risk to you and your dog around water
