Stand Up Paddling with your dog: What you need to watch out for!
Dogs are great companions because they are enthusiastic and can join us for many sports. In addition, dogs are great motivators and ensure you spend plenty of time in the fresh air, whether it’s summer or winter!
Have you ever been to a lake and observed how excited dogs get about the water and how they can hardly wait to jump in? Most dogs love the water, which makes them ideal companions for stand-up paddlers.
You should ask yourself these questions beforehand:
- Does your dog love the water and can they sit still for a while?
- Is your dog fit?
- Do you have a suitable SUP board on which your dog can ride comfortably?
Which SUP board is suitable for dog owners?
Dogs have claws that, unlike cats, they cannot retract. Inflatable SUP boards are very stable and the material is highly durable. Sharp dog claws can still cause damage to the material, however, which is why you should choose a special SUP board if you are taking a dog with you. You should also ensure that the board shape offers enough room for the dog and that the SUP board is quite stable. A race SUP board is the worst possible choice if your dog is going to ride along on the board. Touring SUP boards or all-round boards with a deck pad that covers the entire surface are particularly well-suited. The robust deck pad prevents damage to the board itself and allows the dog to sit or lie down comfortably. From our assortment, the Yoga SUP board is a very good option for dog owners. The deck pad covers the entire surface, the board is stable, and it offers enough space at the front for the dog. The board is wide enough that even larger dogs will have plenty of room.
PAW 11'0'' Dog SUP Set in Turquoise with Carbon Paddle
The turquoise and yellow "Paw" dog SUP board was developed specifically for the needs of two-legged friends who want to take their four-legged friend along on all their stand-up paddling adventures.
649.00 €
Kayak seat for inflatable stand-up paddle boards
With this kayak seat, you can turn your inflatable SUP board into a kayak in just a few simple steps so you can paddle while sitting. A second blade for the double paddle is included in the set!
€79.00
Double Alu SUP & Kayak Paddle 4-Piece
This Alu SUP paddle is not only suitable for paddling, but can also be converted into a kayak paddle using the included second paddle blade so you can comfortably paddle while sitting.
€59.00
Does your dog need safety equipment on a SUP board?
The right safety equipment for stand-up paddling is important not only for humans, but also for dogs. Even if your dog is a good swimmer, wearing a life jacket makes sense. The situation is unfamiliar to dogs, and if they do happen to fall into deep water, they can get scared and react differently than when they enter the water from the shore. Additionally, you can position the dog using the attached back handle or easily fish a small dog out of the water in an emergency.
Otherwise, no specific safety equipment is necessary, but your dog should be well-trained and have a lot of trust in you.
Your first time on a SUP board with your dog
At the beginning, you should familiarize your dog with the equipment. It can be irritating for the dog at first that you are constantly swinging the paddle back and forth over their body when you switch sides.
For the start, a short training session in knee-deep water is sufficient. The dog can get to know the board and sit on it first. This way, you can see immediately if they are comfortable or if you need to do more exercises.
Once they have settled on the SUP board, you can carefully push the board back and forth. Always watch for their reaction. If that goes well, you can also sit on the board carefully, which will make the situation even more relaxed for the dog. If that works too, you can try your first paddling strokes while sitting and – depending on how relaxed your dog remains – try kneeling, standing up, and paddling.
The dog SUP board from Glory Boards
The Glory Boards “Paw” was specifically developed for paddlers who want to take their dog along on their SUP. On this dog SUP board, the traction pad extends over the entire deck, ensuring your four-legged friend has enough space to sit comfortably in front of you while you paddle. The deck pad protects the dog SUP board from being damaged by the dog's sharp claws. The shape of the “Paw” offers sufficient space at the bow, ensuring even a larger dog has enough room to sit or lie down comfortably.
When choosing the design, we opted for a rich yellow-turquoise because dogs are best at perceiving yellow and blue tones. Dogs don't see colors like humans do, but they can see the color yellow. Additionally, warm tones like yellow have a calming effect, and if your dog is sitting on a stand-up paddle board for the first time, they will likely be excited. Crucial for those first attempts is that both human and dog have fun, love the water, and can swim.
The Glory Boards “Paw” dog SUP board comes as a set with an Enjoy carbon paddle, pump, backpack, leash, and further accessories, so you can get started right away.
PAW 11'0'' Dog SUP Set in Turquoise with Carbon Paddle
The turquoise-yellow “Paw” dog SUP board was developed specifically for the needs of humans who want to have their four-legged friend with them on all their stand-up paddling adventures.
€649.00
SUP Safety Leash
<p>With this SUP safety leash, the stand-up paddle board will always stay near you if you fall into the water. You can easily attach the SUP leash to your foot with a cuff.</p>
€13.80
SUP with your dog: How to make it really fun!
Stand-up paddling is an excellent workout for the entire body, and it's also a lot of fun. For dogs, too, stand-up paddling is a great way to be active outside of “classic” activities like walking and playing, and to join their humans in their leisure activities. Especially dogs that love the water will have a lot of fun, though a few challenges will have to be mastered together. With a dog on the board, it becomes more difficult to keep your balance.
This fitness training is extremely effective and also quite strenuous. If you have concerns about falling into the water on your first attempt, try paddling while seated first, or use a kayak seat. Balancing is much easier when seated, and you can focus better on the dog and their reactions. Your dog should, of course, be healthy when you take them stand-up paddling.
If you haven't tried stand-up paddling yourself yet, you should practice on your own first until you have enough confidence and experience to take your dog along. After all, you have to convey safety and trust to your dog, and that is difficult to do if you are only concentrating on not falling into the water.
For your first attempt, it's best to choose a calm lake with few distractions so that the dog can focus entirely on you and the stand-up paddle board. There should ideally be no wind or waves, so that you don't have to deal with additional balance challenges.
While stand up paddling together, you train your communication with your dog, strengthening and solidifying your bond and level of trust even further. With a bit of routine and training, nothing will stand in the way of a longer SUP excursion with your dog!
