Kayaking is a phenomenal sport and it is even more enjoyable when you can bring along your favorite furry friend – your dog I mean. It is no problem to bring your dog out paddling for the day but you do want to be sure to follow a few safety rules and precautions to make sure that your dog is safe and comfortable on his water adventure.

1. It is best to only paddle in flat, calm waters with your dog. If the water is too rough this can make the dog uncomfortable, nervous and possibly sick. If you have to concentrate on maneuvering your boat, you do not want to be worrying about whether your dog is still in the boat. Calm water provides a much more relaxed environment and also the possibility for your dog to take a break and have a swim.

2. Get a doggie PFD (lifejacket) that fits properly. Get him used to wearing it before you head out on the water and make sure he is comfortable. Always make sure he wears it while in the kayak or while swimming outside the kayak. If anything should go wrong, for example your boat capsizes, your dog jumps over and hits his head, or if he is swimming and gets really tired, you want to be sure your dog is safe. The PFD will give you the peace of mind of knowing that your best bud is safe and secure. If your dog will absolutely not wear a PFD, then kayaking is out of the question. Put his safety first.

3. Practice the commands you want to use with your dog before getting in the water. It is wise to practice with your dog getting in and out of the kayak before it ever gets afloat. Don’t allow him to jump out of the kayak until you give the command to do so. Show your dog where he is allowed to sit in the kayak and teach him to listen to your commands. When he seems confident in what his role in the kayak is, then you can start paddling. Be patient, it may take a few times practicing this before you ever get to actually go kayaking. Also you may want to only go short distances at first just to get your dog used to it.

4. You may want to bring a familiar blanket or a bed along with you for your dog to lie down in the kayak. Whatever you think will help him to be more comfortable. A chew toy, water toys, treats and water are also great to bring.

5. Never ever leash your dog to the kayak. I see this over and over again. People think this will make the dog stay in the kayak, however if your kayak were to overturn, the dog would be drowned. If you want to leash him up, use a waist leash and tie it to you but I would only recommend using it when your dog is swimming and you want him to stay near the kayak. A leashed up dog in a kayak is a huge safety risk. It is better to spend the time training him to stay in as opposed to putting his life at risk.

6. It is very helpful if your dog is wearing a harness. This will make it easier for you to help him back into the kayak if he should go for a swim.

It is so much fun to go kayaking with your dog and can be a great outing for you and your pup as well. Just be sure to follow these safety precautions so that it is a safe paddling day for all concerned. If your dog can’t follow the rules, then kayaking may not be for him. Be patient and spend a little time with the training and practicing though and you will both likely enjoy many hours of paddling fun.

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