On a kayak trip with a dog

 Can you take your dog on a kayak?

Many dog owners going on vacation take their pets with them. Dogs accompany them on the mountain or lowland trails, at the sea, or on lakes. A dog in a canoe is also a fairly common sight on our rivers. However, taking a dog on a canoe trip is quite a challenge. Not every pet will feel comfortable there. So it needs to be well thought out and properly prepared.

Does your dog like water?

If you plan to go canoeing with your dog, you need to first consider whether it will be a danger not only to him but also to us.

The most important thing is to ask ourselves, how does our dog react to the water? Does he run up with excitement to every body of water in sight, does he know how to and like to swim, or on the contrary, is he afraid of water. Many people mistakenly think that all dogs can swim by nature. This is not true. Most dogs, when they find themselves in the water, actively try to swim, but nevertheless, not all of them do it well. This is influenced by the nature of the dog, previous experience, but also by body structure. Bulldog, moppy, boxer, dachshund, Pekingese, and chihuahua are examples of breeds whose structure does not allow them to swim well without a life jacket.

When taking a dog kayaking, we must be sure that it will swim back to the shore or kayak if it jumps out of it or falls out during a capsize. If our dog is panic-stricken and afraid of water taking him on kayaks is not a good idea.

To take your dog on kayaks, he must also be sufficiently trained. Excited by a new situation, an unfamiliar place full of new smells, a large number of people he doesn't necessarily know, and the general hustle and bustle of taking kayaks to shore, he may behave uncontrollably or even aggressively. Therefore, it is important that he listens to us and follows our instructions.

To keep your dog comfortable we recommend reading Best Kayaks for Dogs.

First kayaking trip with a dog

Even if we know our dog well, we can't fully predict how he will behave on a kayak for the first time. To begin with, let's start with a short stay in calm, shallow water - 10-20 minutes. Let's paddle slowly and observe the dog.

Once the dog gets used to the kayak and being on the water, and we get used to his presence and changing behavior, we can go for a longer stretch of the river. However, it's a good idea to make short stops from time to time so the dog can drink, settle down or just run around a bit.

In a kayak with a dog - the difficult art of maneuvering

When taking a dog on a kayak, we must prepare ourselves to be more vigilant and attentive when it comes to paddling and maneuvering on the water. Especially if our darling is a lively, mobile, and vividly responsive dog.

When he moves around the deck of the canoe, moves from one side to the other, or suddenly jumps into the river it will change the canoe's center of gravity. It may tilt violently, especially if our four-legged friend is a large dog. We must observe this and balance the tilt with our own bodies. If we do not do this in time, a capsize can happen to us.

Usually, dogs handle such a situation very well and are often on the shore faster than their owners. However, let's always first check that the dog is safely on shore. Later only let's deal with the canoe and personal belongings that have fallen into the water.

Large dogs often swim with one canoeist - they sit in the front and the canoeist in the back, from where he controls the canoe. This arrangement will work well if the dog is disciplined and already accustomed to swimming. Otherwise, it can be difficult for one kayaker to simultaneously steer the kayak and take care of the dog - calming it, holding it down, or preventing it from jumping into the water. When he jumps out of the kayak, you'll have to put the paddle down and even stop the kayak to pull the dog back in.

If our pet is small the kayak crew may consist of two/three people and the dog. The kayaker sitting in the front can allow himself to take breaks from paddling and take care of the dog. The other person is then responsible for steering. He can also hold the dog between his knees and control its behavior more carefully.

What to take on a canoe trip with a dog?

As for any long trip with our four-legged pet, also for canoeing, we need to pack the necessary equipment for him.

The list of things to take should include:

• a bowl, water, and a supply of food - we may not have the opportunity to buy something on the canoeing route,
• favorite dog treats - they will allow the dog to get used to the new situation, help encourage him to enter the canoe, or simply attract his attention in a stressful situation,
• leash and muzzle - in addition to this, we can provide our dog with a collar with a small plate, on which will be the dog's name and our phone number - if he gets lost or too far away his finder will be able to contact us without any problem,
• a current vaccination booklet and a certificate of vaccination against rabies,
• medications, if the dog is taking any,
• a towel to wipe the dog - it will come in handy when the dog jumps into the water and returns back to the canoe; additionally, a sponge will come in handy when the dog shakes off the water and you need to remove excess water from the canoe,
• favorite toys - they will occupy the dog's attention in stressful situations; it is also worth thinking about toys that can float - a simple floating ball can be an opportunity for great fun,
• sleeping bed - if you are going on a canoeing trip for several days and will sleep in tents, the dog should not lie on the bare ground.

Recommended reading - The Top Reasons Why You Should Enjoy Water Sports.

A belay vest for a dog?

Like us, a dog in a kayak should also be provided with a special belay vest, even if it swims well. You never know what situation you will have to face in the water. Your dog could get a painful cramp, get caught or tangled in the brush, or get injured or frightened. In any unforeseen situation, the vest will provide buoyancy for the dog and help it swim. In addition, the dog vest has a special handle that will make it easier for us to fish him out of the water or put him in the kayak.

Our dogs need exercise, they need at least an occasional change of environment and the provision of new experiences. But just like us, they are different from each other. They have different characters and tastes, and in different ways, they behave and react to stimuli. The decision of whether to take a dog on a canoe trip is ultimately up to the owner. With a minimum of common sense and basic safety precautions, it can be a great adventure for everyone - two-legged and four-legged alike