Paddling in winter with your dog
I regularly paddle in the winter with my dog. Musher and I take advantage of every beautiful day without wind and with a ray of sunshine. Thus, our sessions are cool but not freezing. Despite that, I am equipped with a suit and Musher too. Let me introduce you to our equipment for winter paddleboarding with a dog.
Preparing for the day
Paddling in winter with your dog: a good idea? In order to make the most of my paddle outings, I always go with my waterproof bag at the front of the paddle: I slip in something to eat in case of a slack. It has already happened that in the middle of the session, I had a small attack of hypoglycemia. Fortunately, this time I had the wind at my back on the way back. I sat with Musher on the paddle and the wind almost brought us back. In winter, I also slip in a hot herbal tea. It feels good to be able to warm up, especially when you fall into the water...
And of course I take water for Musher with his bowl. Without forgetting, its first aid kit. We do a lot of paddle outings at Lac du Salagou near our home. These are pretty sharp little pebbles. The last time, I slipped on the edge and presto, the beautiful gash on the wrist… Fortunately, I had my dog's medicine chest with me.
The equipment of my dog to paddle
Musher is equipped with a neoprene vest. Neoprene is a synthetic rubber that equips surfing suits in particular. It's light, very insulating, elastic and resistant. In winter, I wear a 5mm wetsuit.
And my dog? Musher also wears a neoprene “wetsuit”. It's more of a vest actually that covers part of his back and chest. This vest is not waterproof but gives it a little warmth. In the water, I'm not sure it changes much for her. Musher is a Labrador, she jumps into the water without hesitation in all weathers… She is not afraid of cold water but once soaked, she cools down very quickly, sitting and calm on the paddle. The neoprene vest for dogs brings him a little warmth. I put my hand under it and it's confirmed. And since she's been fitted with the vest, I haven't seen her shiver on the paddle anymore.
For his safety, my dog also wears a safety jacket. The life jacket is twice as useful as in summer. Your dog will not appreciate falling into cold water, this nasty freezing surprise can make him panic. When you fall into cold water, the brain is anesthetized for a few seconds, the breath is cut off… this can be enough to make your dog panic. A lifejacket will therefore allow him to quickly find the surface and the right position to get back to swimming naturally. The vest is also recommended for you. Indeed, if your dog falls into the water, it is better to be able to get it back on the paddle without risking falling in turn with the temperature of the water which is rather cool in this season.
There is also a 3-in-1 lifejacket that combines lifejacket and neoprene vest: practical! To choose your life jacket for dogs, I advise you to read or reread my comparison of the best life jackets for dogs. You will find all the information you need to choose the best equipment for your dog.
So that she doesn't catch cold, when we take breaks, I take her his life jacket so it's not soggy when you leave. During breaks, she loves to go back and forth in the water to get her Frisbee. As long as it moves in the water and stays active on land, it's not likely to get cold. What fears is the return on the paddle. Before leaving, I make sure she is wrung out enough with a few chases on dry land and then if necessary, I take out my microfiber terry towel to wipe it off a bit.
After a sports day, a little moment of sweetness
At the end of our session, when we get back to the car, I dry it and it waits for me warm while I put away the equipment. It also prevents me from running behind him on the hold. Usually when we get home, she's "starved" and eats everything the onlookers have thrown on the edge: bits of sandwiches, apple cores, fish bait and so on...
After this intense day, once we arrive home, we share a little cuddly moment with Musher who seems exhausted by this day.
If you are wondering where to practice this activity with your dog, find all the cani-paddle rental companies in the section activities to do with your dog on the site.
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