I like to involve my dogs in everything I do, and one of the sports I enjoy is Kayaking. Of course, I can’t leave my dog behind when I’m out for a fun day at the lake or river. But there are some important things to do to get ready for the trip, to make it a safe and happy one for all concerned.
First, learn Boating Safety. This is an activity that we do at Dog Scout Camp for a merit badge, because it has a lot of important aspects for everyday use. The purpose of this training is to make your dog a safe companion on any water craft. You can get the training information and goal oriented check-off sheets at the Dog Scout website www.dogscouts.com.
The first thing you want to teach the dog is how to get in and out of a boat, from a dock, from the shore, and from in the water. Start by holding the boat or kayak still, so that the dog won’t rock it too much when he jumps in. Then, ask for an immediate sit. Dogs need to learn that there’s no “monkey business” allowed on a boat, and that they must sit still and obey the rules, no matter how excited they are. Don’t let the dog jump out of the boat until you give some sort of release word. If your dog already knows a word for getting “off” the couch or something, then you can use the same word for getting off the boat.
When the dog will jump in the boat and sit, he needs to learn to stay in the boat on cue. Pretend you need to go back up the bank for your cooler or life jackets or something, and require that your dog stay in the boat by himself. As with obedience training on dry land, you want to first teach the behavior in a familiar location, then add distractions, followed by duration, followed by distance. So, if your dog doesn’t already know a stay, you don’t want to put him in the boat to learn it for the first time.
Next, you’ll want to launch the boat. Slowly push it out, while your dog performs a stay in the boat. Hang onto the boat while it floats with the dog in it. Or, you can get into the boat, and push it out. You only want to go a short distance at first. You’ll gradually get the dog used to the sounds of oars bumping the side of the boat, or paddles dripping water onto him. Then, you can paddle or row around a little bit more each time, as your dog shows that he is generalizing (showing that he understands the command in various new contexts).
As your dog learns to accept riding in the boat quietly, you can take advantage of some of the other words your dog knows, to help him feel comfortable in the boat. In other words, you don’t want to head out for a day on the water, expecting your dog to maintain a perfect sit stay, like a statue, in the boat. You could tell the dog to “settle” (relax and lie down), or get on the seat, or whatever else it’s ok for him to do in the boat. In a larger water craft, the dog could have a blanket or his own bed to lie down on. This will help reduce some of the vibration he will experience, if you are in a motor boat.
A very important command for any dog to know is the “Leave it” command. This one is especially helpful around the water. There are a number of things a dog can get into while on a boat trip. Eating the fish bait (hooks included) is the first thing that comes to mind. Rolling on dead fish on the bank is another. And, you’ll have to trust me on this, but the aroma of dead fish is very low on the scale of disgusting things your dog can find on the bank to roll in while on a canoe trip, for example. There is also usually abundant wildlife near the water. Ducks, frogs, and small animals call to your dog from the bank like sirens, and it is hard for a dog to resist going after them. By teaching your dog a “Leave it” command, the wildlife is safe, and your canoe or boat will not be capsized.
As with other obedience commands, you need to teach the “Leave it” on dry land first. I use a method of teaching the dog to choose wisely. With the dog on a leash, I put food on the floor just out of his reach. He may stare at the food, but eventually --you may want to use a comfortable chair if you own a retriever-- he will give up on trying to “will” the food closer to him and will look up at you, thinking, “Yeah, that’s right… Dad has those opposing thumbs and can help me out!” When the dog looks away from the food, instantly reward that choice by popping food (better food) in his mouth. Those of you who have trained your dog with a clicker or other reward marker can mark the exact instant the dog takes his attention off the food by clicking or saying “yes” before giving the treat. The clicker (reward marker) helps identify the exact microsecond that your dog made the choice, which helps him to learn “what” you are rewarding, which is what will help him learn to make the correct choice in the future. You can do the same thing with animals. Once the Leave it command has some meaning for your dog (Look AWAY, and ignore it!), you can start using it for leaving other dogs alone. Work your way up to other pets you have around the house (that you can safely contain for use in training). The “Leave it” command teaches your dog that these other creatures are “unavailable” to him.
There are several different types of Kayaks. There are kayaks with spaces for two people, there are open board designs, and there are single seat designs. All offer different options for taking a dog with you. I use a simple, short, molded plastic sport kayak. My “cockpit” is wide enough for my dog (a 50 pound Husky mix) to sit between my legs, if I flop my legs over the outside of the kayak, like we do when we’re paddling down the river on a lazy afternoon. If you prefer to keep your feet on the foot pads inside the kayak, then the dog would need to squeeze between your legs (which my friend’s 35 pound cattle dog can still do), or teach the dog to balance on the top of the kayak.
When a friend first mentioned kayaking with dogs, years ago, I almost couldn’t believe it. She has several dogs, and they all go along. She made a special, non-slip, rubber surface for them to stand on either in front of the seat opening or behind it (or both). If you strap, tape or glue this type of non-slippery surface to your kayak, it will make the dog feel more comfortable about riding up there. The balancing is not a problem. We’ve all seen circus dogs balance on a rope. Dogs have good balance, if they can feel safe, and have something to get their toenails into. Remember, though, your dog should be under very good verbal control if he is to ride atop the kayak.
What equipment do you take along? I always take along a leash, harness, dog life jacket, doggie snacks and water, dog water toys, sunscreen, first aid kit (in a dry bag), and zip lock poop baggies, of course. I never tie the leash to the kayak. If it were to turn over or get lodged under a fallen tree on the river, the dog could be drowned. I use a waist leash (so the dog is tied to me), and I don’t snap it onto the dog unless I’m trying to make her swim near the kayak (like when we’re passing fishermen), or when we get onshore. The waist leash has a shock bungee and two quick-release snaps (one near the end snap and one near my waist), if I need to separate us quickly (available at Sparky’s Boutique and Outfitters, the Dog Scout Camp Store online). The dog wears a harness, so that I could help lift her out of the water by the harness, if I had to. I always only hook the leash to the harness--never to the collar. As always, my dog wears identification tags, in case there is a mishap. I also take along her doggie life jacket. This is a must if you’re going on rough or fast water, or if your dog is a less experienced swimmer. The life jacket is a high-visibility neon color, has a handle at the top, and adjustable buckle straps. When we take our dogs on the river, they like to get out and swim during parts of the trip. You never know what’s around the next bend, and you’ll need a calm, shallow spot for getting the dog back into/onto the kayak before he gets too tired. Sometimes it’s all muck, or deep water right up to the shore with so many trees that you can’t pull your kayak next to the shore. Your dog will tire out, and he may try to climb up into the kayak to “save” himself. A lifejacket makes it easier on the dog to swim for extended periods. The toys and dog snacks are to make the trip fun for the dog. Your dog will probably try to drink the water you’re boating in, but its best if you bring some fresh water from home to offer him. Sunscreen is good for you and the dog. If your dog has any pink pigment on his face, or bare spots on his skin, you should protect these with sunscreen. The water reflects the sun’s rays, magnifying its impact on our skin. The first aid kit is always a good idea. Some people throw bottles into the river, and there’s a very real possibility that your dog could cut a pad on something sharp. You should check your dog’s pads regularly, if he is getting out of the kayak and spending any time wading. The poop baggies are to pack out anything my dog leaves behind. It’s easier than carrying a shovel. We try to “leave no trace” where ever we go.
I hope this article helps bring you and your dog closer together, as kayaking buddies. Once again, I am not picturing white water, helmets, and scary adventures. I am talking about kayaking on relatively flat water with your best friend.
