Teach Your Dog To Love Being On The Water
Have you been wanting to learn how to kayak with your dog? There is nothing better than being able to enjoy the outdoors with your dog and kayaking can be an awesome activity for both of you. While not all dogs love the water, that doesn’t mean they won’t enjoy jumping in with you for a paddle.
Milo is a wader, he hates swimming and won’t go in water that is deeper than his chest. For the longest time he was very afraid of unstable surfaces and wouldn’t step on anything that moved slightly. When he was smaller, I used to have to pick him up and hold him on the scale at the vet to get his weight, an embarrassing task since I always had to weigh myself first. The point being, if you had asked me back then if Milo would jump in a boat I would have said never in a million years.
Fast forward to 4 years later and now he happily jumps in the kayak for a paddle with me and my husband. How did we manage this? With a lot of patience and dedication we worked through his insecurities to teach him that not only is it not scary, but he doesn’t even have to swim if he doesn’t want to.
Here are my tips on how to teach your dog to love kayaking.
Take It Slow
Because of his dislike for swimming and unstable surfaces, I never planned on having him get in a boat. However, when we moved to Uganda I was spending so much time on the river with friends and their dogs I felt like poor Milo was missing out on all the fun. When we made plans to do a Christmas float trip in a raft and I knew my friends dog was coming along, I decided this time I was not going to leave Milo behind. I made a plan in October to slowly introduce him to kayaks in order to have 2 months to work with him.
Get A Doggy Life Jacket
My friend Megan with her pup Malia on the Nile River, Uganda.
While it may seem silly to put your dog in a life jacket on flat water, it’s a great piece of equipment to help your dog stay safe in the water. Not only does it help them float, but makes it easy to pull them back on the kayak if they fall off and freak out. Also easy to spot in the water if they decide to swim off.
I have been using the Canine Flotation Device from NRS. My friend was using it for her dog Malia and was very happy with it. Malia was able to move and swim happily while wearing it so I chose the same for Milo. It has adjustable straps, a zipper pocket, a D-ring to clip a leash, back handle and reflective tape. So far I’ve had it for 3 years and it’s held up great.
Start From A Stable Surface
I knew I was never going to get him to jump off the dock into a boat, so I started by using a single sit-on-top kayak and parked it on the river bank. This way he could step onto the kayak without it wobbling around and then allow me to push it slowly into the deeper water. With my husband in front holding on to the kayak, I slowly lured him on with treats. My husband swam him out for about a minute and then brought him back to shore.
Milo’s first time on a sit-on-top kayak with my husband Brett on the Nile River, Uganda.
For Milo it was important not to overdo it by keeping him out too long in the beginning. Just having him on the kayak floating for a minute was already a tremendous achievement. We would do this once in a day, float him out, bring him back in and then he could run around on land and play. This taught him that it wasn’t that scary of an activity and he was still having fun.
Make Pit Stops On Land
Once comfortable with the single sit-on-top kayak, I moved him to the double sit-on-top so I could paddle with him instead of swimming next to the boat. Again, we started from the stability of the river bank having my husband slowly push us into the deeper water. I would paddle a bit and then float just to let him get used to the instability of the kayak.
Milo and I on the double sit-on-top plastic kayak on the Nile River, Uganda.
Since Milo was a little nervous, I decided I would paddle for a little bit and then pull off to the river bank. He could then jump out and explore land for several minutes. I would then coax him back on the kayak, paddle for a bit to another spot and let him hop off and do the same. By paddling from one patch of land to the next, he relaxed and became more focused on the next spot we were going to instead of being in the boat.
Bigger Boats Provide More Stability
The Christmas float trip we organized was going to take a minimum of an hour from start to finish. Because we were in an 8 person raft, I knew it was going to be very stable which would make Milo feel more comfortable.
Christmas on the Nile, 2017 with Milo, Malia and our friends.
For his first “long” experience in a boat this was perfect. We were on flat water, there was plenty of space for both dogs to move around, it was very stable and we made a couple stops on land along the way. While he didn’t jump out and swim, he did move up and down the raft and put his paws up on the side. We had water and snacks and he seemed happy to be on the adventure, barking at birds, cows and monkeys.
Consider An Inflatable Kayak
Since the raft was such a success, I figured an inflatable kayak might be more comfortable and less wobbly than a plastic one. When we moved to South Africa, my husband started working for an inflatable boat company which has allowed us to try out different models. I find that the more space Milo has to turn around and move the more relaxed he seems to be. The inflatable floor is also more comfortable for his paws compared to the hard and sometimes grooved plastic.
Paddling the Umzimkulu River in South Africa.
He now associates getting in the kayak with a big adventure. When he sees us loading the boats in the car he runs right to the door so as not to be left behind, something he doesn’t do otherwise. He gets so excited that he will now jump into the boat from a rock or small ledge. A massive improvement from the days of starting from the stability of the river bank.
Avoid Rapids
Even though Milo now enjoys getting in the kayak, he still does not like swimming. If I were to take him down a small rapid on the river and he fell out, I know he would never get near a kayak again. While I enjoy paddling down small rapids, I don’t think dogs experience the same feeling of excitement.
Malia, the ultimate adventure water dog!
That being said, there are some dogs that just love swimming and being in the water no matter what the situation is. Malia, for example, is the ultimate water dog and I have seen her jump of paddle boards and try to swim down small rapids. Pulling her back on the board before reaching a rapid is a perfect example of why the doggy life jacket can be so important. Milo wouldn’t enjoy this so I would never put him at risk of falling off the boat. Flat water is good enough for us.
If you are ever in Uganda you can catch adventure dog Malia and my friend Megan on The Mvule Boat!
How To Choose The Right Kayak For Your Dog
With so many kayaks made in different styles and from different materials, choosing the perfect one for your dog can seem like a daunting task. My advice, try as many as possible!
Whether you are renting from a local company or borrowing from a friend, the more you try the better. Some dogs absolutely love stand up paddle boards, others are happy laying down in a plastic kayak. For us, the inflatables have been best and are also lightweight and easy to transport.
There is no one perfect style that all dogs should use, you might find that your dog is happy in everything you paddle. So get your hands on a boat and get on the water!
Ark Inflatables Boat Review
Interested in kayaking with a dog in any of the inflatables you’ve seen in this post? You can visit the Ark Inflatables website to learn more. But first, here is my quick review for four of their boats we have paddled.
The Croc
This inflatable boat comes in a two or three seater model. Meant for white water which is the reason for the large tubes. We’ve paddled the two seater on some of the rivers here in South Africa and have enjoyed it. Great for if you want to have a floating picnic.
Pros:
- Plenty of space to store a small cooler and dry bags
- Can fit two people and a dog comfortably
- Is self-bailing making it easy to empty
- Sturdy and manages small rapids with minimal bumps
Cons:
- Heavy to carry and takes some time to inflate
- Get’s stuck easily in shallow rocky water
- Takes effort to maneuver and turn
The Prawn
The newest edition to the Ark Inflatables fleet, the Prawn is small like a pack raft and is great for all sorts of water. We have been paddling it during the shallow winter months and it moves around very well.
Pros:
- Quick to inflate and easy to transport
- Light weight and easy to carry
- Great in both shallow and deep water
- Easy to maneuver and turn
- Packs away small for convenient storage
Cons:
- A bit small for larger dogs, I often bump Milo in the bum when paddling
- This particular boat is not self-bailing so you have to empty water out yourself, but you can custom order a self-bailing one
- Not a lot of storage space
The Minnow
This is more of a fishing boat, not really meant for narrow rivers but is great for the lake or ocean. It has oars for self paddling when you don’t want to use the motor. Another great option if you enjoy floating picnics.
Pros:
- Can fit three people and a dog comfortably
- Space to store a small cooler or dry bags
- Has a back plug making it easy to drain water
Cons:
- Heavy to carry and takes some time to inflate
- Not great on rivers
- Oars are slightly too long making it uncomfortable to row
The Kayark
This inflatable kayak was made for white water so it moves easily and quickly through the water. Probably my favorite for paddling with Milo, it has the space I like of the Croc but the smaller tubes give it the lightweight and smoothness of the Prawn. For me it’s the perfect combination of the two.
Pros:
- Lightweight and easy to inflate
- Enough space for you to paddle without bumping the dog
- Enough space for the dog to move and turn around comfortably
- Easy to turn and maneuver
- Moves well through shallow water
- Packs away small for convenient storage
Cons:
- This particular boat is not self-bailing so you have to empty water out yourself, but you can custom order a self-bailing one
Don’t Forget A Paddle!
If kayaking with your dog starts to become a regular activity, then you definitely want to consider investing in a good quality paddle. Furthermore, if you like to travel then you will want to get a good quality two piece paddle. This way you can break it down for easy transport. Here are three of my paddle company recommendations.
Werner Paddles
While there are lots of companies out there that make paddles, Werner is my favorite. With a variety of styles and performance levels, you are sure to find a paddle that fits your needs. Their blades are made of nylon and are reinforced with fiberglass. For the shaft you can choose either a fiberglass or carbon blend, making the overall paddle much sturdier than a plastic one. Their website even has a design and fit section that breaks down the different performance levels to help you make the right choice.
Adventure Technology
Another popular paddle company, Adventure Technology also makes a variety of paddles with fiberglass blades and a carbon blend shaft. From white water to recreation and touring and even paddles for kids, you are bound to find the right style of paddle. Many of my friends use AT paddles and love them.
Hardcore Paddles
These paddles are meant specifically for advanced white water. My husband’s Hardcore Paddle is his absolute favorite and as he says it is “the best thing ever!” so I needed to share. Check out the website to learn about their innovative design.
Additional Safety Gear To Consider
While paddling with your dog is supposed to be fun, it’s always a good idea to have some safety gear on hand to prevent any injury or accidents.
Wearing my Sweet Protection helmet, Astral life jacket, Werner paddle and Milo in his NRS doggy life jacket with a first aid kit situated behind me.
Helmet
You can never be certain what lies beneath the water, and more often than not rocks are lurking down below. Especially if you are paddling on shallow rivers, having a helmet is always a good idea. We are big fans of the Sweet Protection helmets which come in a variety of styles and colors. They are also crazy strong.
Life Jacket
Without question having a life jacket while on the water is a good idea. Even if i’m not wearing it I have it stored in the boat. My husband and I wear Astral and I swear by them. I have had some big swims on the Nile River and my Astral jacket has very successfully brought me to the surface.
First Aid Kit
Whether its a bump, cut, bite or even a bad migraine you should have a first aid kit near by. Most items in a standard first aid kit can be used on your dog as well. Amazon sells a nice compact kit with a waterproof case.
Have Fun!
The most important part of paddling with a dog is making sure you both have fun. It’s such a great way to enjoy the outdoors so if you love the water I highly encourage you to give it a try. Chances are you will have just as much fun as we do 🙂
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Have more questions about kayaking with a dog? Feel free to send me a message!
