The top 5 summer activities to do with a dog
It's very hot. You want freshness and your dog too? I present to you 5 activities to do with a dog this summer: 100% aquatic activities to enjoy the sea, the river or the lake with your best friend.
Before you get in the water, make sure your dog enjoys the water and knows how to swim properly. If not, don't force it, read the article Teaching your dog to swim and find a plan B for him avoid heat stroke… When I can't go to the river with Musher, I wet it with my water jet or give him homemade ice cream. In a cup, I put water and some dog treats and presto! Freeze for a few hours. She loves that !
Before discovering the top 5 activities to do with your dog, a recommendation: equip your dog with a dog life jacket. It is essential for his safety even if he is a very good swimmer. A wave, current, a fall... and your dog can lose his senses and panic. Musher who is an excellent swimmer never leaves without a vest!
Paddling with your dog
Stand-up paddleboarding with your dog, it's just awesome. Musher and I do it whenever we can. It is a “soft” sport once master and dog have found their balance. Sailing on the water is very soothing. Musher is able to remain quiet on the paddle for a very long time; she often ends up falling asleep. To relax her a little, I take with me his floating frisbee and I throw it at him from time to time. Thus she swims, she gets wet and refreshes herself. Remember to return to dry land from time to time also for the pee break.
For more information on this sport: read the full article Stand-up paddle with your dog – cani-paddle, the sport of summer ! And to know exactly where to paddle with your dog, discover the article The 10 most beautiful lakes authorized for dogs in France.
Canoeing with your dog
here's one awesome sport to do with your dog. The canoe is much more stable than the paddle, you can make nice descents of the river in the Ardèche gorges or even those of the Tarn or the Verdon. You are going to have a great time. A few days ago, I went canoeing with about ten dogs. We had agreed to meet at Marianne's and Domino's at Speed canoe about Gorges of the Hérault. Chihuahua, American Akita, Beagle, Samoyed, Labrador…: a great range of breeds! We were a group of 20 people: we really enjoyed ourselves. The proof in video here (thanks @Akita_thereallife for this sublime video) The canoe is made for all dogs. A recommendation: your dog must know the basic commands such as sit, lie down, stay still... so that he is safe on the canoe.
Want to test? First make sure that the canoe rental company will accept your dog on board. On more difficult courses (with many rapids), he may refuse the presence of your dog to avoid any danger. Choose a suitable course. To discover the most beautiful rivers for canoeing with your dog, read our brand new article: The 5 best life jackets for dogs, test of 2020 We have a few surprises in store for you 😉 We're talking about life jackets of course, but also about 5 magical spots to test canoeing with your dog!
For more information on this sport: read the full article Canoeing with your dog, a summer must-have I'm also talking about my inflatable canoe. You can rent your canoe from a dog-friendly rental company or, like me, buy your own equipment for more freedom. I opted for the Gumotex Solar inflatable canoe. It is perfectly resistant to my dog's claws. I've been using it for 2 years and it's great. I do not regret my purchase!
Surfing with your dog
Before you start go surfing with your dog, you will first have to learn on your own. Dogs don't like falling in the water, in the waves, in the eddies… If you're both beginners, you'll often fall: it's the best way to scare him and disgust him with this sport. Before surfing with your dog, there are a few steps to take. Then it will be a great activity to share with your dog.
If you know how to surf, it's up to you to cani-surf this summer!
For more information on this sport: read the full article Surfing with your dog, tips and tricks with AL, the French and European champion dog in this discipline
Rando-aquatique with a dog
This is a sport that I highly recommend. It's easy and practicable without renting equipment. What is it about ? It is hike in a stream relatively quiet and shallow with your dog. For all the dogs who need to have their feet, here is a good compromise to find a little freshness this summer. And very often, this is how we discover hidden landscapes that no one ever sees. The aqua hiking is the easy/beginner version of canyoning. No question of taking your dog to jump 8 m and go down the natural slides, but the hiking version may please him! Musher loves it. We already have several hikes of this type planned this summer with 2 and 4 legged friends!
For more information on this sport: read the full article Try aquatic hiking with your dog
Swimming with your dog
And to end this top 5 in style, a great classic: swimming with your dog. It's simple and it's great. Adapt the distance well to the physical abilities of your dog. Musher and I do this often. When we go canoeing or paddleboarding together, it often ends up in swimming mode together. And as she did rescue at sea, when I'm tired, I ask him to take me back. She takes my hand and brings me back to the edge! I'm so proud when she does that even if sometimes she squeezes my hand a little hard :p
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To end this article, I wanted to draw your attention to an important point. In these periods of high heat, beware of cynaobacteria. A priori for all these water sports, you should go to places where the water is not stagnant so there is little danger, but be careful so that swimming does not turn into a nightmare. I hope I have made you want to jump in the water and especially to go on vacation WITH your dog !
If you are going on vacation with your dog this summer, subscribe to our accounts Facebook & Instagram to follow all our news. Also publish your photos with #takeondog. See you soon for new Wouafer's adventures!