Stand Up Paddling has developed into a real trending sport in recent years. You can not only do this alone or in pairs, but also with your dog. You can enjoy the time together outside in nature and strengthen your bond.
But before you set sail and start to stand up paddle board with your dog, you should prepare him in the best possible way and have the right accessories available. In this article, we will show you
- the most important requirements for doing SUP with a Dog
- what equipment you need for you and your Dog including a handy checklist
- which are the Best Stand Up Paddle Boards for Dogs
- the most important tips on how to SUP with your Dog and answers to the most important questions!
Why does stand up paddling with a dog make sense?
SUP is a very interesting and also relaxing activity. It can be carried out on almost any body of water and is now also a globally recognized outdoor sport.
By the way, it strengthens many muscle groups and improves your balance and fitness: this applies to you as well as to your dog!
Because both of you always have to try to balance against the waves and other external influences in stand up paddling, so different muscle groups are addressed and trained.
Additionally, not only two-legged but also four-legged friends enjoy this sport a lot, and you can do something together with your animal companion. He will be very grateful to you and soon will not want to get off of the board.
These are the most important requirements to stand up paddle board with dog
First of all, it is important for you and the four-legged friend to be healthy, because only then is it possible and useful to perform this sport. In case of any doubt, you should go to the veterinarian quickly before the first training session and clarify this for your darling.
In addition, your dog should not be afraid of the water, because then every trip would be a torment for him, and of course you want to avoid that.
However, if your dog, like so many others, is very keen to splash around in the water, then nothing stands in the way of stand up paddling.
BUT:
In this case, you have to have some rules so your animal will want to stay on the board and does so. Nevertheless, it is an advantage if he can swim well in case he falls into the water. By the way, there are special SUP courses especially for dogs and their owners, which are definitely worthwhile.
Another very important point is that you yourself should already be very confident in handling the stand up paddling board.
If this is not yet the case, you should first train alone for a few weeks or even months and only then take your four-legged friend with you on the water.
First and foremost, practice the paddle strokes, the stops and also the turns (The most important information about the SUP paddling technique can be found here). If you are able to handle the board safely, you can also take a short first ride with your four-legged friend.
Always give your SUP dog enough time
Not every dog learns quickly. But that’s not a problem at all.
If your four-legged friend can only get used to the new sport possible, you should always give him enough time. Pressure is therefore always the wrong policy. Otherwise, it’s possible at some point your four-legged friend may no longer dare to get on the board .
So always give your dog enough time and make sure that you start with very short trips.
The duration of the individual units can then be increased over time from time to time. And as we have said: Patience is often the decisive success factor here. If you want to know more about how to get your dog used to the stand up paddle board, take a look here.
Which are the best stand up paddle Boards for dogs?
If you want to do stand up paddling with your dog, you need the right board. And to find this, you should pay attention to the following points:
- your common total weight
- fitness of your four-legged friend
- preferred type of SUP
- size of the animal
- existing budget
- your paddling skills
- fitness levels (human and dog)
In general, you can keep the following:
The larger the dog, the more important the width of the board.
It is important for the dog to be able to turn comfortably and can also give you some space if necessary. And so that you both do not slip off the board, of course, a wider board helps.
For beginners, the typical SUP Cruising Fan or even the slightly sportier Driver with dog, we recommend you rely on a wide all-round board. A very good board in terms of price, performance and build quality is the Bluefin Cruise SUP, either in the 10’8” version or in the 12” version.
From our point of view, the Bluefin iSUPs (inflatables or inflatable Stand Up Paddle Boards) are a good choice for stand up paddling with dogs due to their high quality of workmanship, sturdiness, and long warranty period. This also makes them a good choice for Paddleboarding with a dog.
If you are looking for a more cheap alternative than the ultra-high quality Bluefin Cruise, you can take a deeper look into the SereneLife Free Flow inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board. With a price in the range of $330 – $350, it is cheaper than the Bluefin Cruise but still provides robustness and durability, which is essential for Stand Up Paddling with a dog. However, you have to be aware of one important disdvantage: the paddle provided within the set does not really float – so you should consider to buy a better quality paddle right from the beginning.
If you would like to learn more about the SereneLife iSUP, do not miss to check out our In-Depth Review! Therein we show you everything you need to know in detail about this iSUP.
What about other SUP Board types?
The longer but narrower race or touring SUP boards, on the other hand, are worth considering for already experienced dogs and masters. Due to their shape (outer shape), they are much more trimmed for speed, but therefore less tilt-resistant. Due to the smaller width, it is also more difficult for the dog to turn or move on the board.
If you have a very large dog, an older dog, or a dog with impaired movement, you should better choose an even wider SUP board.
Of course, the same applies if you put your own main focus on the SUP for a very comfortable tour. Examples of boards you can check out either boards mainly made for Yoga SUP or boards from producers who specially built versions for Dog Stand Up Paddling. One board we think is really a great choice for SUP with a dog comes from the company Stemax, a small SUP board manufacturer from Austria and is called Stemax Wild Dog.
In particular, the Stemax Wild Dog is certainly one of the upscale boards. But if you are in the mind to be underway with your dog on your SUP regularly and in the long term, it is superior in its versatility, high quality, and, especially for a trip with a dog, with its consistent anti-slip pad. However, often these boards are not delivered worldwide, so you might check first if it is deliverable to your location
As another great alternative, which is a iSUP board with a really wide stance and very good quality and more moderate costs, is the Aqua Marina Atlas.
Important Bonus Tip when choosing a Board for you and your friend
No matter which board you choose:
Pay attention to the load capacity of the board and calculate the total weight by adding the weight of the paddler, the dog, and also the wet fur (about 2 – 5kg).
What accessories do I need if I want to do stand up paddling with the dog?
Dog life jackets
As always: Safety First! This means that in addition to the board and the associated paddle, you should definitely get a special dog life jacket.
Because an emergency situation could always arise in which this is worth its weight in gold!
And this also applies if you have a dog that actually can swim very well.
In addition, some waters are quite cold, and the vest will protect your four-legged friend in this case.
Many of the models have a recovery handle by which you can safely pull your overboard darling back on the board without having to go into the water yourself. We advise you to practice this process a few times on land first, so that your animal also knows what to do in such a situation. Basically, the dog should be able to simulate every potential scenario again and again and internalize it in the best possible way.
The most important functions of a dog life jacket are:
- Buoyancy
- Heat function
- Relaxation of the neck muscles
- Recovery handle for better control and safe retrieval back to the board
- Better visibility with reflectors
- Buoyancy
In order for a dog life jacket to completely fulfill its purpose, it must necessarily be the right size.
Important: Always pay attention to the weight specifications by the manufacturer!
In order to choose the right dog life jacket, you have to measure the following in your dog:
- Back length: Measure the length from the shoulder blade to the transition from the thoracic to the lumbar spine (here you can orient yourself on the last rib arch)
- Chest circumference: Measure the circumference at the lowest point of the chest
- Neck circumference: Measure the circumference of the neck at the transition from the cervical/thoracic spine to the ribcage
With this information, it should not be a problem with the usual manufacturers of vests to choose the right one. A little tip, however, is to order 2 sizes if necessary and then choose the one that fits best.
We can certainly recommend the dog life jackets from Ruffwear in general. These make it particularly easy for you, so that you can not only rely on good quality and safety, but that the life jacket is also suitable for the size of your dog in terms of strength and buoyancy. So if your dog fits a vest in size L, you know that it also has the right resilience.
Dog sunglasses
Dog sunglasses not only look funny, but also have a benefit for your pet.
It works for the dog on the water as for us: in sunshine and on the reflective water surface, the eyes can be severely blinded and thus strained.
Remember that your dog’s eyes are as sensitive to light as yours!
In addition, dog sunglasses are a good precaution against cataract disease.
Safety lines
Whether you really need a safety line depends heavily on you and your friend.
If you are sure that your darling will not be tempted to jump off the board, even because of a cheeky seagull or the nearby country, and you are always in calm waters anyway, you can do without one from our point of view.
However, if you cannot always guarantee either, we recommend using a safety line. It is important here that you do not choose one that is too short, so that you can still paddle, but also not so long that it can get tangled everywhere.
This is how you get your dog used to stand up paddling!
Sobald Du das oben erwähnte Zubehör besorgt hast und selbst schon sehr sicher auf dem
As soon as you have obtained the above-mentioned accessories and are already very safe on the SUP board, you can make the first trips in calm water with your four-legged friend. But before that, you should do a few things. Always keep in mind that not every dog likes to swim by nature. There are even breeds that cannot do this at all or can easily overheat in the sun. If you own such a dog, you should first get him used to the water in the first place.
Only when he has come to terms with it should you take the next step.
You put your furry friend on the board from time to time so that he can get used to it.
However, at first all this should always take place as a dry exercise. Also note that the board must fit the size of your pet. The two of you together need to have enough space to move.
In addition, it makes sense to practice some basic commands again and again in the weeks before your first water trip.
The dog should master these before you venture onto the water. As with many other exercises, he is certainly more likely to learn the commands with extensive praise, petting, and a small reward in the form of a treat.
When your dog has learned all the important commands, you can try your first practical test. This also takes place on land, such as in the garden. Now repeat your commands a few times and see how your animal partner reacts. If this also works, you can try a few minutes in shallow water near the shore. Over time, your darling will get more and more used to the new sport and certainly enjoy it more and more.
SUP board with a dog: the equipment checklist
In summary, you should have the following equipment for SUP tours with your dog:
- dog life jacket
- dog sunglasses
- safety line (if necessary)
- snack bag as a reward
- paddle
- vest for you
- a water bottle
- a hat and sunglasses for you
- a dry bag for valuables (mobile phone, keys, wallet)
SUP board with a dog: the ultimate top tips
If you start the adventure SUP with your dog, these tips will help in summary:
Give your dog and yourself enough time!!
Don’t get stressed!
Training in new and correct behavior is always difficult. It is important, however, to practice proper behavior, since detraining incorrect behavior is even harder.
Always keep your dog’s attention span in mind when training. In particular, keep the first trips shorter!
Treats and a positive attitude help – as always!
Work with treats: this allows you to reward correct behavior and create a positive connection to stand up paddling for your dog.
Always remain calm and positive so that your dog senses that this is a terrific adventure
Be aware of the weather!
Only go during good weather and peaceful water, particularly at the outset
SUP with a dog should be a calm activitiy – experience and adventure combined!
If you have an extremely active dog, play with him first so he is a little tired before he has to sit on the board.
But if he wants to swim, then let him do so and give him a little break.
Safety for you and your friend!
Always use a swim vest; even the best swimmer can have a problem sometimes.
Board and Equipment
When choosing a board, make sure you and your dog have enough space and do not get in each other’s way.
Use the tips in our article not only to choose the right board but also to equip yourself correctly
the most important questions and answers about stand up paddling with your dog
Can my dog ride on an inflatable stand-up paddling board?
Many dog owners wonder if stand up paddling with a dog is also possible on an inflatable SUP board. And here we can clearly say: this is no problem at all with a good quality board! The only important thing is that the board has the proper dimensions .and you should choose a model that consists of reliable and sturdy materials.
Do I need special protection for the board?
Generally not, unless you are bothered by a few potential scratches on the board from the dog’s claws. But make sure that your board has a soft deck pad which is as large as possible (for instance, the Stemax Wild Dog). But if you have a board without oversized deck pads, you can also find extra non-slip pads for dogs which can also be attached.
Final remark on stand up paddling with dog!
Stand up paddling is not only a lot of fun by yourself, but also with your best friend. But so that you can enjoy the time together on the water and in nature, you should make all the preparations described above and have the specified accessories on hand.
If this is also the case, nothing stands in the way of stand up paddling with a dog!
The nice thing is that this is a sport that is fun and suitable for strengthening the muscles for you and your buddy.
So let’s go: off to the water!
And if you need more information about Stand Up Paddling in general, do not miss out to check out our sections!
