Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is a wonderful way to experience your favorite lake or pond. Paddleboarding can be a great way for you and your dog to share these experiences. This complete guide to paddleboarding with your dog will provide you with all the information you need to have a successful day on the water with your pup.

What You’ll Need Before SUPing With Your Dog

The Right Paddle Board

Not all paddle boards are created equal. There are many different types; some boards are designed for speed, others for stability. It is important to have a board with good stability when paddling with your dog. Long and wide paddle boards will be the most stable. A good rule of thumb for paddleboarding with a dog is to get a board over 10 feet long and 32 inches wide. You can go shorter and narrower if you and your dog are comfortable on the board. 

Long, wide boards will also hold and allow you to distribute your and your dog’s weight. Weight distribution can affect the handling and control of the board and will be particularly important if you plan on paddling longer distances. Be sure to look at the weight capacity of your board before heading out. 

The deck surface is also an essential consideration when out with a dog. Most dogs will want to walk around the board a bit, and you want to make sure they can do so without falling off. Be sure the board has a large foam deck pad to allow your dog to move around. Some boards have minimal deck padding and areas that can be pretty slick when wet. You don’t want your pup slipping off your board mid-paddle. 

Here are a few boards we recommend for paddleboarding with a dog:

• DRIFT Inflatable SUP – at 10’8” long and 32″ wide, this board has plenty of stability and a large foam deck pad.
• DAMA Inflatable SUP – at 11′ long and 33″ wide, this board also has plenty of stability and will perform slightly better on longer outings.
• Red Paddle Co Ride – at 10’8″ and 32″ wide, this board is plenty stable, and it inflates to higher PSI, making the board more rigid.
• Red Paddle Co Voyager – at 13’2″ long and 30″ wide, this board will be slightly less stable but performs much better on longer outings.

Lifejackets For You and Your Dog

Most people don’t like to wear a lifejacket when out on their SUP, but it is essential to at least carry one on the board with you. In addition, making sure your SUP has a leash is also a vital safety precaution. Remember, you are standing up, and if you take a tumble and hit your head on the board or something in the water, you want to make sure you don’t end up in a bad situation. Leashes are particularly beneficial if you fall off the board because the board often gets pushed away from you. It can be exhausting getting back to the board if it is windy or you aren’t a powerful swimmer. 

Having a lifejacket on your dog is also generally a good idea. A lifejacket may seem unnecessary for some dogs, for example, if you have a water-loving Labrador retriever. One of the benefits of having the lifejacket on is that the handle will allow you to safely and quickly pull your dog back on the board if they fall in or jump off for a swim. 

We recommend the Ruffwear Float Coat as the best dog life jacket you can buy. The lifejacket is highly secure, ensuring your dog won’t slip out of it. In addition, there is floatation under the chest and neck, which will help keep your dogs head above water. Finally, the jacket has an excellent solid handle for pulling your dog back onto your board. 

Other Considerations Before Heading Out On The Water

There are a few other items to consider before heading out on the water. First, make sure someone on shore knows where you are going and how long you expect to be out; if you have an accident while out on the water, this person will know to come looking for you. 

Also, be mindful of sun exposure both for you and your dog. Be sure both of you are well hydrated and are wearing sunscreen. Depending on your dog’s fur, they may be susceptible to sunburn. The nose, paws, and creases along the ears are all vulnerable spots, and dog-safe sunscreen will help keep them protected. Carrying a water bottle for you and your dog can also be a good idea if you plan to be out for a while. 

Teaching Your Dog To Love The Board

It is generally not good to introduce a dog to paddleboarding by asking them to step onto a floating board right away. As with any dog training, it is best to work through small incremental steps, so your dog is comfortable and understands what you are doing. 

Basic Obedience

Before heading out on the water with your dog, it will help if their basic obedience is solid. The commands your dog should know include sit, stay, place, break, etc. These will help you keep control of the situation while out on the water. 

Introduce Them To The Board

Before heading out on the water, introduce your dog to the paddle board at home, either in your yard or living room. Some dogs are skittish around new or unfamiliar objects, especially something as large as a paddle board. Let them sniff the board, walk on it, or do whatever they want. 

Associate The Board With Positive Experiences

Once your dog is comfortable being around the board, you’ll want to build an association that the board is something positive. An easy way is to associate the board with a positive reward, like a treat. When you pull the board out and your dog comes over to it, you can treat them. You can also treat them while sitting on the board while it is on the ground. Finally, putting treats on the board for your dog can also be helpful. 

Sit On The Board

Once your dog is comfortable with the board, work on having them sit on it while it is on the ground. If your obedience is good, a place command can be helpful here. The goal is to teach your dog to stay on the board until you release them, and this will help avoid your dog jumping off the board mid-paddle.

Release Commands

You want your dog to stay on the paddle board until you tell them to get off. Staying on the board will help stop your dog from jumping off the board mid-paddle and help prevent accidents when getting off the board. For example, when pulling up to a dock, you want your dog to wait to jump off until you have the board stabilized and are ready for them to jump. When dogs jump or step off the board, they’ll often push it away, resulting in them missing the dock or both of you falling in the water. Having control over when they get off the board will avoid these situations. A “break” or “ok” command will let your dog know you are ready for them to get off the board. Practicing this on land will result in a more positive experience out on the water.

Gear Up & Sit On The Board

Your last step before heading to the water is for you and your dog to gear up and sit on the board together, practicing all of the steps and commands above. Plenty of praise, treats, and practice on their “place” or “stay” and “break” commands during this phase is essential. Incorporating these with you on the board with the dog, them in their lifejacket, you with a paddle in hand, etc., will ensure your dog understands the full context of what is expected out on the water.

Start Slow At A Dock Or At The Shore

If you’ve worked through all of the steps above, you might feel your dog is a master and ready to hit the water. Not so fast. When the board is on the water, it moves in ways it doesn’t on land, and the water itself may be either a source of anxiety or excitement for your dog. You should start by sitting on your board, either at a dock with a hand on the dock for stability or at the shore with your feet over the end of the board for stability. Ask your dog to join you on the board, reward them, and give them time to get comfortable on a floating paddle board. You might even try gently rocking the board to see how your dog reacts. You will have the most stability with them laying or sitting. 

Work Up To Longer Paddles

Head out for a short paddle once you and your dog are comfortable being on the board together in the water. Keep your first few outings to just a few minutes, free from distractions and close to shore. You want to make sure your dog has a fun time out on the water. If anything does happen, being close to shore will help make sure you and your dog remain safe. 

After having a few successful short outings, slowly work towards longer and longer paddling trips. You want your dog to look forward to paddleboarding and be relaxed while out on the water. By putting in plenty of work upfront, you’ll be able to enjoy paddleboarding with your pooch for years to come. 

Where To Go Paddleboarding

There are nearly countless places to go paddleboarding with your dog worldwide. It is generally best to avoid large lakes or rivers with strong currents. These locations will make it more challenging and less safe for you and your dog. Instead, look for calm lakes and ponds or slow-moving rivers, like Lake Tiorati. Quiet spots will also be best, as they will have fewer distractions for your dog. 

We would love to know if you find a great spot to paddleboard with your dog. Tag us on Facebook and Instagram, or use the hashtag #allaboutlakes to let us know of your favorite places.