Paddling with your dog
The canipaddle is paddle or stand up paddle with your dog. It's a great activity to share with your dog. SUP is an ideal activity for dogs and owners who love water. Looking for an activity to share with your dog this summer? A refreshing activity? The canipaddle is for you. Musher and I are big fans of this water sport. Let us tell you about our beginnings and give you some tips for getting started canipaddle with your dog.
What is cani-paddle?
It's stand up paddle with your dog. It is a hike on the water, at sea, in the river or on a lake according to your ease and that of your dog. Standing on your board, a paddle in hand with your dog sitting or standing on the board, you sail on the water.
It's a great experience to share with your dog. If he likes the water and knows how to swim, he will surely like it. I insist on these two points: if your dog hates water and does not know how to swim well, choose another activity. You risk traumatizing him further. And he will certainly have a very bad time, terrified on the board.
I love canipaddle because it's a special moment that I share with my dog. In the middle of nature, in peace, we take our time to enjoy life and that is priceless. It's a zen moment that we both love.
Introduction to canipaddle
Before going on a walk, you will need to test your dog's reactions, if it is his first time. First at the water's edge, show him the board. Let him sniff her. Invite him to ride on it. Don't force it. If he doesn't feel like it and is uncooperative; you will have to postpone your canipaddle session until later.
Second step, enter the water, where he has his feet. Let it spin around the board. Make sure the board is stable before inviting him to climb on it so that he doesn't capsize, which could scare him... Slide the board on the water near you. Then gradually move away from the edge and climb on it. Congratulate him at all stages and repeat each stage, taking your time so that he understands that he is not risking anything on the board and that he feels comfortable there.
Your dog must master three important commands for his safety: sit, lie down and stay still. Whatever the movements of the board, the jumping fish, the rapids in the river, the waves at sea, he must be able to stay "still" on the board. Otherwise you will spend your time diving to get it back before it reaches the edge. The reflex of the dog is to swim towards the shore when he feels in danger.
And let's go for an immersion in nature over the water!! A nice moment of complicity to share.
Finally, let's go if you know how to do it yourself and if your dog is comfortable and well educated. If you fall in the water every 30s, your dog will fall too. You will then have to hoist both of you back on the board and leave. If your dog does not know how to sit still when you ask him to, he will unbalance the board and therefore you and there: splash guaranteed! In short, if you are both beginners, it can quickly come to an end! It's all about balance and osmosis with your dog. And perseverance! But be careful, if your dog shows signs of fatigue, weariness and he no longer wants to get on the board, stop the session. Don't put him off the paddle. As with any activity, it must remain a game for him.
One last tip for a good start: plan a session without waves, without currents and without wind. You will put all the chances on your side for a successful session.
Cani-paddle and dog equipment
To canipaddle with your dog, there is essential equipment: the dog life jacket. I systematically equip my dog with a life jacket and yet he is a fan of water, able to swim great distances and a dog in great shape but it is a safety accessory that I recommend you to buy. It is not mandatory for the practice of this activity but strongly recommended. How is it useful? First, if your dog falls, in waves, current, cold water, panics or gets stuck, he may be startled and panic and have difficulty getting back into swimming position. Second, without a lifejacket, it's impossible to get your dog back on the paddle. Hoisting it by the collar is madness: you risk strangling it and injuring its neck. If you don't have a vest, at least have a harness with a dorsal handle so that you can easily hoist your dog onto the board if he jumps into the water... You will surely need help to get him back up.
To choose the best life jacket for your dog, I advise you to read or reread the article Choosing the right life jacket for my dog.
Here are 4 floating dog vests:
- Ruffwear K9 Float Coat (the one Musher wears all year round)
- Trixie life jacket (perfect for beginners and doing a few sessions during the holidays)
- Julius life jacket
- Hurtta Life Savior Life Jacket (much greater buoyancy than the other three).
For your dog, also plan a bowl and water. Avoid paddleboarding during the hottest hours. He could, just like you, catch a sunstroke even if he cools off by bathing regularly. Especially at sea, plan that he can drink clear water to his thirst!
Remember to make regular stops on the banks so that your dog can stretch his legs. On the paddle, he must remain almost motionless so he can find the time long. And if your dog loves water, he will surely want to go for a swim. I bought a frisbee that floats for Musher. After several bad frisbee buys that sank in the middle of the lake (ggrr!), I found a Frisbee. The best! When we take breaks, I throw it to her a couple of times in the water and she loves it. Between two throws, she takes a pee break and then we leave quietly. Always think of your dog, it must remain a moment of pleasure for him too.
Your equipment for paddleboarding is:
- a jumpsuit (depending on the season),
- a paddle board. I chose a Aqua Marina inflatable paddle board for its resistance and its grip, perfect for Musher's claws and so that it does not slip off the board. Mine is the Aqua Marina Fusion. I find it great. Easy to store in his backpack, I carry it everywhere easily. I opted for an electric pump to inflate it because inflating it with the manual pump was long and tedious.
- a paddle
- a leash to attach to your ankle
- a life jacket too
I leave you with a little anecdote from my first canipaddle session with Musher. As we were doing lifesaving together, she immediately understood what to do with the board. She hoisted herself on it and lay down in front of it. A . She also understood that it was a great solution to get closer to the ducks… I didn't anticipate early enough that she was going to jump. His impulse unbalanced the board and I ended up in the water! She turned around and came to save me… What a fit of laughter!
Share your canipaddle photos with me on Instagram with #emmenetonchien! I will be delighted to know that you have started with your dog 😉
For those who want paddle boarding in winter with your dog, discover my article and the advice that goes with it.
Ready to test the cani-paddle?
To go stand-up paddle, there are two solutions: either you buy your own equipment or you rent your board from a SUP rental company. Be careful, they are not all dog friendly, contact them before renting your equipment. If you rent a SUP board this summer with your dog, share your Address Too W'ouf with us on the site so that we are all aware of this good plan!
One last info to note: the activity is very fashionable, many educators offer it as an initiation without actually being in good standing. Indeed, each paddle outing in a group must be supervised by your educator AND a certified paddle instructor. If this is not the case and something happens during the session, no support will be made. If you rent the gear personally for an outing with your loulou, you are not concerned.
One last tip before you take the plunge: check the weather, wind, waves and alerts cyanobacteria, deadly for the dog! And if you practice in salt water, rinse your dog and your equipment. On the trick side, I opted for a 35l container and electric camping shower that I plug into my cigarette lighter, so I can rinse Musher and the paddle on the spot 😉 And of course, if it's a little chilly, I dry Musher with a micro fiber towel so that she doesn't catch a cold.
READ ALSO: Canoeing with your dog, Aquatic hiking with your dog, Surfing with your dog