We are full of daily occupations and the time we have left to dedicate to our pets, in addition to being able to go rowing, is very fair. For this reason, we suggest you combine both activities in a pleasant experience and prevent your dog from being locked up at home. Many dogs are natural swimmers and tend to enjoy the ride on the front of your SUP board. You may be surprised by the connection you will get by sharing your board with your dog!
What better company than your best friend, your pet, your dog? Your faithful companion will love getting on your SUP board every time you go out paddling. Your dog needs to spend time with you so why not take advantage of every trip? If you have a pet, you will be interested in knowing how to introduce him to the world of SUP, and if your dog is already a faithful rider.
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 can withstand a lot. Sharp dog claws can still cause damage to the material, so you should choose a special SUP board if you take a dog with you. You should also make sure that the board shape offers enough space for the dog and that the SUP board is quite stable. Here are some suitable options for you:
Best inflatable paddleboard with dog
1. AKASO 10' Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board
AKASO 10' Inflatable SUP board is specially developed for the needs of two-legged friends who want to have their four-legged friends with them on all stand-up paddling adventures.
This inflatable paddle board pack is ideal for you and your dog’s ride. An affordable inflatable paddle surfboard perfect to get started in Paddle Surf. All these packs include board, collapsible paddle, dry bag, backpack, safety leash, fin, double-action pump which inflates up to 15 PSI in 5 minutes, and a repair kit.
2. Isle 11 ft. Explorer Inflatable SUP
Isle Explorer Inflatable SUP board is one of the lightest on the market, a durable Paddle Surfboard suitable for riders up to 300 pounds by one of the biggest brands in the surf industry.
This Isle inflatable paddle surfboard includes paddle, backpack, coil leash, repair kit, ISLE sticker pack & manual, snap-in travel fin, and high-pressure air pump with +2 year warranty on materials. Designed specifically for those who want a board with their pet, surf small or medium waves, do a SUP yoga class or navigate the coast. Something that makes it a great choice for the quality it offers.
3. NRS Escape 12.6 Inflatable SUP Board
The NRS SUP Boards is one of the best brands of inflatable and rigid paddle surf on the market. Within its collection of inflatable Stand Up Paddles we find this NRS 12.6 ”Inflatable SUP at a great price, ideal for walks and crossings. A paddle surfboard is ideal to start paddle surfing without spending a lot of money and with the guarantee of a great brand such as NRS. Its measurements make it a large and stable board, ideal to get started in the wonderful world of SUP.
The NRS SUP paddle inflates to 20 psi (1.379 bar) for a great performance with Axis Technology™and it has removable, interchangeable, nylon-reinforced plastic fins for your customized setup.
Step-to-step guide on SUP with a dog
Believe it or not, practicing paddle surfing with a dog requires prior preparation that habituates both us and the animal to the situation that we will experience once we are in the water. It is best to keep the animal fasting hours before the practice since it could get dizzy if it is not used to the conditions of this sport and to balance. that is needed to practice it.
That is precisely why it is also advisable to carry out proprioception exercises with the pet that help us both to maintain the necessary balance when it comes to paddle surfing. The animal must also get used to the water since the exercise will require us to spend time in the sea and it could become overwhelmed or stressed if it is not used to it. Go to the beach with your dog beforehand and make sure that when you decide to take the step, he does not have a fear or phobia of water and feels comfortable in that environment.
How To Teach A Dog To Paddle Surf
Before we get down to it, we must be clear about our goal, which is none other than enjoying a quiet walk with our dog. Both you and the animal must be prepared and the appropriate conditions must be given, such as having calm waters that do not stand out for their waves.
Training first on dirt or sand: how to get him to learn to climb the board
Make sure that the training and the previous preparation is a fun activity so that the real practice is also fun and they are motivated and willing once we take the step.
To do this, you must first become familiar with the beach and the water, and then with the paddle surfboard, which you must first ride on the ground and on dirt terrain. This way you will get used to it and you will gain security and confidence until we step into the water.
Using positive reinforcement, the animal will accumulate positive experiences that increase its sense of security for when the challenge levels up. Let him first explore the board and smell it, and after a few minutes place a treat or toy on top of it to motivate him to get on. Once above, he must receive an award so that he understands that we are satisfied and that he has achieved something well that deserves a reward.
Once you go up several times without a problem, we can begin to indicate some of the orders that you must follow: to go up or down, to lie down, to sit or get up, etc. Then we will go up little by little when you are sitting or lying down so that you assimilate that you are going to be together and protected.
Do not forget to accustom the dog to the life harness, since it must associate it with the board so that it complies with the instructions when it is worn and we go to the water. This element will be essential in the event that the dog falls into the water to re-incorporate it into the table, for which we must have a handle to grab the animal.
Training in the water: how to keep the dog on the board
It goes without saying that to paddle surf with your dog you must have previously done it alone and have mastered the practice. Incorporating the pet will be more difficult for us and the training process will be simpler and shorter if we have practiced alone first. When it is the turn of our dog to join the table, it will be important to choose a lake, river, or sea with calm water for the first few occasions.
For the dog to climb on top, we must place the board on the shore, holding it so that it remains immobilized until the animal is on top. Once up, we will reward you.
We can move the board little by little into the water, keeping the dog calm and rewarding him if he remains calm and sitting or lying on it. Do not forget to do the same when we get out of the water, because he must always associate positive reinforcement with an action that he has managed to do correctly.
Our turn. It is time to get on the table and for both of us to stay on top, we must first sit in the center once we have gone down to the can and then give the order to go up and sit down. We will be able to paddle little by a little while sitting and ensuring that the dog is comfortable.
When you feel the necessary confidence, you can get up and get on your knees first and then stand up and place the dog between your legs. Keep the dog in this position while you row the first few times until you think it is safe to incorporate him. If you are two people at the table, you can dare the first time as long as your companion holds the support well. The animal will be the one to let us know if it is comfortable and safe and depending on its state you can act, always calmly and patiently and being aware that the training will take time. This in turn will lead us to consider the next challenge, which may be to practice paddle surfing with our dog in another setting or environment for which we see him trained.
NECESSARY MATERIAL to practice paddle surfing with your dog
- Paddle surf and paddleboard: essential to practice this water sport.
- Harness and leash: essential as we have mentioned before to pick up the animal in the event of a fall into the water so that we can raise it more easily again. Remember that the collar will not be as useful for this purpose and that the strap must be able to get wet but it is always better not to wear it in case you capsize.
- Life jackets: Necessary in case the pet is not too used to swimming, although we recommend that these types of issues should be promoted before practicing paddle surfing with a dog.
- Treats for the dog: either in the form of treats or using toys for positive reinforcement and associating exercise as something that deserves recognition.
- Neoprene for our use: just in case we can get cold while practicing sports.
- Sun cream: The ideal way to protect our skin and that of our best friend. The truffle is one of the most sensitive parts that we will prevent from burning by spreading a little sun protection. Keep in mind that some breeds have little hair and it is not advisable for them to be exposed to the sun on the beach even if we apply sunscreen.
