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So you want to learn to SUP with your dog? We highly recommend it!
Mommy and I do a lot of SUPing (Stand Up Paddleboarding). We have traveled all over the country and we have SUPed in lakes, rivers, bays and even the ocean together! As a matter of fact, mommy has never SUPed without me!
At first I was not too sure about this floating thing that I was standing on and why I just couldn’t go swimming.
It took some trial and error so we thought we would share a few things that may help you so that you and your pup have as much fun as mommy and I do! We want your dog to feel relaxed on the board with you!
1/ What kind of board you use doesn’t really matter as long as there is a pad or soft surface for Fido to stand on. If you have a hard board without a pad, Fido is going to slip. You will not know where Fido likes to “ride” until you get in the water. I like to ride on the front of the board. Many dogs like to sit between their parents legs or even walk around (which we will get to).
2/ Make sure Fido has a life jacket on. Even if he/ she knows how to swim, we highly recommend this. If Fido falls off, there is a handle on the top that makes getting Fido back on the board much easier. Plus, it gives him/ her buoyancy in the water. Please, do NOT take a dog that does not know how to swim on a SUP without a life jacket.
3/ Always start on land. Get your dog used to the board on land. Give treats, praise, play, etc. You want the board to be thought of as a positive experience.
4/ After you play around on land, put the board in the SHALLOW water. Place Fido on the board and continue to make it a positive experience with treats and lots of praise. Move the board around a little in the shallow water.
5/ If Fido is doing ok, then progress to deeper water and stay down low with Fido. Do not stand up yet. Stay on his/ her level encouraging them and giving praise. They will feel more secure when you are at their level.
6/ Once Fido is feeling secure and fearless, then start getting a little higher by going on your knees. Fido should still be ok. This is a great transition and will also help you with balance. If you have bad knees, you may have to skip this step and then talk to my mommy, she may be able to help you with your knees!
7/ If Fido is loving it, it is time to stand up! Go a little way and see how Fido does. If he/ she starts whining or acting scared, get back down to their level. Offer encouragement and treats. Make this a positive experience and don’t stay out long on your first couple of times out.
8/ Basic Obedience: Fido should know basic obedience before attempting to SUP. If you tell him/ her to Sit or Lie down, Fido should listen. The stay command is very important as well. If birds are flying by or fish are jumping, you do not want Fido going after them. If Fido is walking around on the board, it may throw off your balance so practice those commands!
9/ If you do fall in, don’t panic! If you do not feel secure or you are paddling in moving water, we HIGHLY recommend an ankle leash so that the board does not float away. We also recommend you keeping a leash on Fido. You want to be able to grab everything and get back on the board. We don’t want Fido swimming away. First you get on by grabbing from the back of the top of the board and pulling yourself up. Once you are safely on the board, then grab the handle on Fido’s life jacket and pull him/ her up.
10/ Enjoy your time on the water. Mommy and I find beaches to hang out and swim, we have paddled all over the country on Jack’s Journey USA and next month we are going to get to paddle in Canada!
We hear all of the time, I would never be able to do that because my dog hates the water. Honestly, this may be even better. Labs and other water loving dogs are sometimes tricky to SUP with because they just want to swim! If your dog is content just sitting on the board and enjoying the ride–more power to you!
I LOVE to swim so mommy allows me to jump off often. I never do it unless she gives me the “jump” command and when she does! I am OFF!
We hope that these tips will help you and your pup to have a super fun time. Don’t forget to play in the sand and get dirty too!
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Thanks for reading! 
