Here are a few tips for how to prepare your dog for kayaking: make sure your dog listens to your commands. understanding “sit,” “stay,” and “lay down” are all really important in making sure your dog behaves on the water (this is true for sailing too ). if he hasn’t mastered these simple commands, start there first.. It’s always a good idea to take treats with you on your journey. train your dog to be comfortable in and around water. trips to the beach or lakes are a good way to start and little shore paddles help them to gain more confidence. one of the most commonly used commands whilst out in your kayak with your dog is ‘leave it’.. Similarly, also teach your dog to jump out of your kayak and sit down and wait for you. these loading and unloading steps are critical. be patient, respectful and—perhaps most important—consistent in your training. once your dog is used to hopping in and out of your kayak and being in it, you can move to shallow water..
Consider teaching your dog to enjoy paddling with you! whether you kayak, canoe or paddleboard, most dogs can make great companions. speaking as someone who just spent the last five days of her life teaching her unruly, half-trained 5-month-old pup to kayak in the florida keys, i can vouch for the fact that it’s not that hard to do.. Basically, it involves creating a stand for a plywood platform and a few ledges, which effectively widens the back of your kayak and gives your dog a place to stretch out..
