Adventure is out there. Train for it!

A good old-fashioned adventure! No matter where the season takes you and your dog, be sure to take the time to prep your dog for any new challenge. I've been stand up paddling for the past decade or so - I'm obsessed and to be perfectly honest, I don't often take the dogs because it's my little escape, but this summer, one of my goals is to train for and complete a 5k paddle with one of my pooches. I’m making sure the paddleboard is a wicked fun place to hang out. Read on to find out what SUP! 

Step 1: The Introduction - I’m a biggest-bang-for-your-buck kinda gal when it comes to training and I think this is one of the most lucrative steps in the whole process - the introduction of the new equipment! Arm yourself with really (seriously) good snacks and set your board out somewhere your dog regularly hangs out - the living room, the patio, the lawn? I popped the fin off my board and just laid it in the grass for an entire week and we took every opportunity to play on the board. This is really simple: get on board, get a treat. Within a few days, I would go outside and see the dogs just hanging out on the paddleboard. Win! On to the next step.

Step 2: The Behavior - Next, it’s time to start thinking about what your dog needs to do. On a paddleboard, I’m pretty flexible about what position my dogs are in - sit or down in front of me or middle (standing between my legs). So, we work on these skills, incorporating my paddle and mock-strokes. Lickimats make for really easy treat delivery. Otherwise, a treat belt still works on water!

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We practice (and showboat) indoors and out!

Step 3: The Add Ons - There are two key elements that I like to add into water sport training. First Add On: Safety. My dog must wear a life vest when we’re in/on the water, so now it’s time to acclimate my dog to putting on the vet and THEN go back to Step 2. Again, use good treats and go slow. What we don’t want is to slap on a life jacket and watch your unsuspecting pup freeze….or worse, run away. Really go slow. Let your dog investigate the life vest, work toward letting the vest touch him, then put it on. When you pup is walking like a boss in his life jacket, ask your dog to play on the paddleboard with you wearing the vest. Do this right and your dog will have a really rich history of getting rewarded for wearing a vet AND spending time on the boat.  It’s going to make the next steps cake.

Second Add On: Float. This is kind of a bonus one, but I have a stash of fitness equipment that makes dog training extra, extra fun. I like to practice the feeling of being off-balance before we ever get to the water. We mimic this with Indoboard cushions under the board. 
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​Step 4: The Experience - Now it’s time to put boat in water. Repeat your playtime and practice with your board in shallow water. Let your dog acclimate along the shoreline. Practice things like hopping on and off. Watch for signs of stress (excessive panting, not taking treats, acting frozen, etc). When you are ready to head out - think quality over quantity. We’re talking a mini paddle - just a few minutes. Then, rest and repeat!  

Boards
Isle All Around Inflatable (dope board, good price, easy to travel with and super stable; perfect for playing around on with the dogs)
Tahoe Bliss (we add extra traction to these boards for the pups, they are smooth and fast)

Doggy Life Vests
Our doggy life vests are from Ruffwear Float Coat

Training Gear
Indoboard Yoga Board & Cushions (I take them outside for the SUP too!)

Helpful Hints
*Pack a dry bag with snacks, dog bowl, lots of water.
*Hit up the flat water and calm times on the lake
*Send me pictures!! IG @localdogmsn