{"id":15519,"date":"2021-07-09T08:58:50","date_gmt":"2021-07-09T14:58:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/?p=15519"},"modified":"2022-05-23T06:57:52","modified_gmt":"2022-05-23T12:57:52","slug":"dog-kayak-tips-for-smooth-sailing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/outwardhound.com\/furtropolis\/water-safety\/dog-kayak-tips-for-smooth-sailing","title":{"rendered":"Ahoy! Dog Kayak & Boating Tips for Smooth Sailing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Water Safety and Boating With Dogs<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Summer is the perfect time to get out on the water with a dog kayak or any other pet-friendly watercraft! Bringing your dog along for a day of kayaking on the lake or some paddling on the river is a ton of fun!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether your pup is joining you on the boat, kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard, these tips will keep the tails wagging and ensure an amazing and safe time for all.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before You EmBARK<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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If you\u2019re heading out with your pup, it\u2019s assumed that you yourself are comfortable in the water and confident in your own swimming and paddling abilities. If your furry friend isn’t exactly a pro paddler, make sure to properly introduce your dog to water, whether it\u2019s in the pool, pond, or ocean. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have your dog practice swimming in their dog life jacket before your first boat outing to help them gain confidence in the water with their doggy gear. Not all dogs are instinctual swimmers though. Some pups take lots of practice or even <\/span>swimming lessons<\/span><\/a> to be comfortable going any deeper than chest height.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best way to train your dog for kayaking, paddleboarding, canoeing, or boating is by exposing them on dry land first<\/strong>. Show them how to navigate the watercraft, practice getting in and out, and staying put when you get in or out yourself. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Know Your Dog on an Individual Level<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Know your dog and its breed. Consider their age, size, and endurance level when choosing your boat. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will they stay on a paddleboard, or would a tandem dog kayak with an extra seat be better suited? A small dog may prefer to be closer to you in the boat than bigger furry friends, in which case a single fishing kayak may have enough room. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A large dog may be more comfortable sharing a canoe with more durability and plenty of space to stand up or lay down, as opposed to a kayak where they’ll mainly have to sit.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your dog is new to swimming or accompanying you around watercraft, ask yourself how they typically react to new experiences. Have they seemed at ease around the water in other settings? Will they have the ability to ignore exciting things that may cause them to want to jump out? If your dog is anxious, how will it handle loud, fast-moving whitewater?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is where obedience and following voice commands<\/a> come in, both of which are important traits for your dog to have down before hitting the water.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A pooch with good training will do much better staying in your kayak or keeping stable on your paddleboard. If your dog will sit, lay down, and follow your other commands, you\u2019re likely to enjoy yourselves a lot more. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLeave it\u201d is an important command to master to keep your pup from going after anything too exciting, such as ducks or fish, or even other boats. There can be plenty of distractions onshore too, so be mindful the closer you are to those, the harder it may be for your dog to keep their cool. Have a clear command that lets your dog know when it is ok to jump out.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bonus tip: Get a pawdicure<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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One tip you may never have thought of when it comes to boating with dogs? Keeping your dog\u2019s nails trimmed! <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When a dog’s claws are in shape it helps them keep good traction on the sometimes slippery surfaces of boats, kayaks, or paddleboards, and in turn, helps their overall balance. Some canoers line the bottom of their craft with a yoga mat or fake lawn mat. You can also get <\/span>traction mats<\/span><\/a> made for paddleboards, inflatable kayaks, and sit-on-top kayaks!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to Bring <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Invest in a <\/span>canine life jacket<\/span><\/a> for your pup and PFD (personal flotation device) for yourself. This keeps dogs safely afloat and requires much less energy to paddle than swimming on their own. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many dog life jackets have important safety features<\/a> like a grab handle on the back for pulling your pup up into the boat easily in an emergency. If not, a harness underneath is another great safety measure to quickly allow you to get your dog out of the water.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep a leash handy for any time you\u2019ll spend onshore, but in the water, a leash can be a major hazard if it becomes stuck around your dog\u2019s neck, legs, or anywhere else. The dog life vest with a handle will be a great way to grab your dog if you need to while you\u2019re on the water.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bring your sunscreen — not just for the humans! <\/span>Dogs can get sunburnt too<\/span><\/a>, especially if they have a sensitive nose or fair fur and skin. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exposure to sunlight can also damage a dog\u2019s vision over time. If your best friend is more mature or you just want to add some eye protection, rocking doggy sun goggles will help reduce the glare.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water, a bowl, and treats are essential for almost all outings. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fresh water is especially important as the water we recreate in isn\u2019t always great for drinking. Make sure your dog has a source of freshwater between all that exertion. Don\u2019t encourage them to drink lake or saltwater, as it can contain bacteria or high levels of salt not good for pups. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bring dog treats in a sealed or water-resistant bag to have on hand in case your pup needs a little extra motivation to obey, especially if being on the water is a new experience.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A first-aid kit<\/a> is important to have for both dog owners and dogs! While you hopefully won’t have any accidents at all, being prepared with a few items like gauze, non-stick tape, waterproof booties if you need to keep a paw dry, and tweezers to remove unwanted pests like ticks or leeches will be helpful if you do have such an event.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bringing along a few <\/span>water-friendly dog toys<\/span><\/a> is a great way to add to the fun! If your furry first mate has a lot of energy to burn, having activities to keep them engaged is a good idea. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fetch is also a great game to motivate dogs to swim independently, and get some good paddle practice in. Choose toys that float and are easy for your dog to spot.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Dawson Swim Dog Life Jacket<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t

$65.99<\/strike> $30.00<\/h4>\n\t\t\t

The Outward Hound Dawson Dog Life Jacket is a high-performance dog flotation device for boating, water sports, the beach, the pool, and other water adventures with dogs. Designed with novice swimmers in mind, the neoprene side panels of this dog life vest will keep your dog safe by providing them with comfortable buoyancy and thermal insulation for chilly days on the water. A front neck float adds extra…<\/p>\n\t\t\t

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Granby Splash Dog Life Jacket<\/a><\/h3>\n\t\t\t

$38.49<\/h4>\n\t\t\t

The Outward Hound Granby Dog Life Jacket is a high-performance dog flotation device for boating, water sports, the beach, the pool, and other water adventures with dogs. A front neck float adds extra support to help them keep their head above water. Top grab handles provide an easy way to retrieve your dog in an emergency. Adjustable straps keep them secure both in and out of water. For small dogs, sizes…<\/p>\n\t\t\t

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Dog Boating Adventure Checklist:<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n