Stand-Up PaddleBoard with Your Dog

Dog owners are always looking for new and fun activities to do with their dog. If you and your pup live near water and are a pretty adventurous pair, stand up paddleboarding is for you! Here are tips to get your dog ready to try this exciting water sport.

1.    Keep your board inside

Start training your dog for the paddleboarding by keeping your board inside your home for a week. Keep it in an area where they are comfortable and they can get to know the board. They will sniff it, walk on it, and explore the board.

2.    Put a treat on the board

While the board is in your home, try placing a treat on the board, causing your dog to walk on the board. Try adding in sit commands while on the board, always rewarding with a treat. Slow down if your pup seems unhappy. This will help make the board a happy place that your dog associates with a reward. Once they seem comfortable, try adding the lifejacket.

3.    Add special commands

A key to keeping your dog on the board is having special commands for getting off and on the board. Give a treat when your dog gets on and off properly to the special command. If they get off to early, they do not get a treat. Eventually, they will be able to stay on for longer time periods.

4.    Practice standing on the boarding

Now that your dog is comfortable, add yourself to the board. Once your dog is in their place on the board, sit behind them and give them a treat if they stay. After they seem ready, try standing and rocking. If they seem unhappy, go back to just sitting. Then practice paddling so your dog gets used to the paddle moving.

5.    Time for the water!

Time to hop in the water and go through all the steps but just in the water! This may take some practice so don’t get frustrated. You or your dog may take a few tumbles, but after a few tries it’ll be worth it!