BRB just floatin’
In the middle of a heatwave the best thing we can think about doing right now is floating on a paddle board with your feet dangling in the water, dog chilling by your side.
Last summer we took our dog travelling with us across Europe, and that meant we had ample opportunity to push our paddle board out on to different lakes and of course, take Pacha with us.
It wasn't always plain sailing though and took a bit of time and patience when teaching her four paws solid on the ‘moving ground’ is time to relax.
Below are a few tips on how we managed to keep her safe and sound and see the world from the water.
1.
Patience.
As mentioned above, you can't rush anything, it’s a lot more difficult for your dog to disassociate a negative experience than for you to take a while longer getting used to being on the paddle board. Just as when you're training a dog to stay or heel, a bit of positive reinforcement and patience will be rewarded!
2. Find the right spot.
If taking your dog out for the first time, try to find a secluded lake or pond and keep your first sessions short and sweet. If your dog is easily distracted, take a few treats with you to snap their attention back to you.
3. Safety.
Always make sure your dog is wearing either a life jacket or harness that’s easy to pull them out of situation and stay securely by your side. That pretty much goes for all adventure activities! If they aren’t a confident swimmer you may want to rethink taking them out on a paddle board until they're confident in the water.
4. Know your stuff.
Be a competent SUP'er yourself. It takes a lot of stability and core strength at first when your dog is trying to find their feet on the paddleboard. You need to be ready to counteract the weight of their body at short notice before you both go for the dunk.
Make sure you do other research before heading out. Check the regulations of the body of water you're going to float on. Head to British Stand Up Paddle Association for further information. www.bsupa.org.uk
