Dogs are our best friends. They are always there for us to ensure that we always have a companion. This special bond is the reason people want their dogs to experience the fun things they do too. To SUP with your dog is truly an amazing experience. While it takes humans a longer time to learn how to SUP, most dogs are naturally good at it. However, despite dogs being fans of water sports, there are some guidelines one ought to observe when hitting the waves with your pup.
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Important Tips To SUP With Your Dog
Before taking your dog out, make sure to check out the following tips:
1. Make sure your dog is conversant with basic commands.
The very simple commands such as “sit,” “stand,” and “stay” among others, are essential in ensuring that your dog does not get spooked when you are on board. If it is not good at obeying commands, do not SUP with it just yet. Wait until it gets better training before tagging it along with you.
2. Take a lesson.
A lesson is particularly important if your dog is big. If the dog does not balance its weight properly, you may not paddle well. Train the dog to ride on the board effectively and, also, ensure you learn how you can handle any paddling and balance issues that may arise.
The training, also, helps familiarize your dog with the paddle and the water.
3. Start on the more calm areas of the water first.
The waves are definitely fun when you’re paddle boarding in the ocean. But if you are bringing your dog along, it is best that the first few times you start on a bay or a lake before you head to the open ocean. If your dog is not used to the waves, it may get startled and make the both of you lose balance.
4. Dress appropriately.
Be in the most comfortable outfit possible, depending on the weather, if you want to have fun while you SUP with your dog. Dress in an attire that is easy to remove while you are kneeling or standing.
5. Put a non-slip pad on the deck.
Placing a non-slip pad, like the Airhead SUP Paws Pad, on the front of the paddle board helps the dog get a grip on the board and keeps him from sliding off.
6. Wear a life jacket.
Just like being on a boat, make sure you and your dog wear a life jacket before you hit the waves. The sea can be vigorous at times, and a SUP life jacket can help prevent you and your dog from sinking in case the waves are too hard. The dog life jacket (and yours) should be put on at all times. It, also, should be able to fit properly.
For extra safety, you can carry doggy life preserves along with you. They always come in handy to make sure that if at all your dog slips and falls of the board, he will be totally safe and easy to retrieve from water.
7. Accessorize.
You are going to the sea to have fun. You should consider having a couple of accessories to ensure you keep the moment alive until the next time. A camera – preferably a waterproof camera – always come in handy. You can keep it inside a water-tight dry bag. Hitting the waves with your dog is most definitely fun and taking a couple of pictures to share with family and friends is not a bad idea. Other things you would want to carry along may include a larger dry bag to store your snack, water, and extra clothes you could put on after the day.
If your dog has eye problems, consider investing and getting a pair of Doggles. They will help protect your dog’s peepers.
8. Be patient.
While most dogs SUP naturally, others need some time to adjust and get used to the activity. If you want to have fun, then you have to be patient with the dog. Don’t push it hard. Let it learn slowly.
The whole point is to have fun. Therefore, maintain a calm and happy mood to keep your pup relaxed and less nervous. Also, know that every dog is different and what another dog can do is not what yours can do. The only way to have the most fun is by being patient.
Last update on 2021-12-08 at 08:00 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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