Ollie goes for a paddle (SUP Dogs)
Ten points for effort to the guys from Blue Ridge Outdoors who made this funny little video about a dog who is keen on everything about stand up paddling, except the stand up paddling. He loves the car ride to the river. He love the river. He loves the board. He loves the paddle. But put it all together? Nuh-uh, no way.
If you’ve ever tried to take your dog stand up paddling, you’ll know what this girl is going through. If you have never tried taking your pup for a paddle, then here’s a few handy tips from the master of PUPing, Chris De Aboitiz from Noosa to help you get things started…
Stand Up Paddling with Dogs: 5 Tips to make it happen.
- Start with your board on the sand, because you need to get your dog comfortable with sitting on the board itself.
- Teach them to stay on the nose. Distractions are a-plenty, but your dog needs to stay where they’re safest.
- Once your dog is comfortable sitting on the nose progress to flat water for short runs. To reward your pup, head back to the beach for some stick throwing action.
- Do this for several weeks, until your dog is completely at ease in flat water for long periods of time. Then progress to small waves to begin the real fun!
- Use lots of positive reinforcement, consider a doggy life jacket which makes picking your dog up after a crash easier, and always move at your dogs pace, not your own!