A Guide to Paddleboarding with Dogs

The warmer weather is here and the open water is calling! So many of us love to get out on the water with our four legged friends so here's the Track and Trail Canine Guide to open water safety for dogs.

Do dogs need lifejackets?

Let's start with that burning question. Does my dog need a lifejacket or floatation device?

Many dogs are excellent swimmers - just the same as so many humans are! But there are certain times where even the strongest swimmers could find themselves at the mercy of open water. Either through cold temperatures, strong currents, a sudden strong breeze or a medical issue. In my opinion, it's better to be safe than sorry.

If such a simple thing as wearing a lifejacket can be the difference between a great day on the water and a bad one - I certainly know which choice I'm going to make.

Many people underestimate the risks associated with swimming in open water - either rivers, lakes, lochs or the sea - and often with really sad and mostly avoidable consequences.

So we say yes - your dog should wear a lifejacket if you're heading out on the paddleboard. And so should you.

It's also worth noting that some dogs are not natural swimmers and not naturally buoyant in water. It's worth researching your breed's swimming ability before you go out with them.

Is your dog comfortable with water?

Before you take your dog out on the board - it's a good idea to get them used to being on, in and around the water first. Start with playing some games with them in the shallows so it's one less thing to worry about when you want to take them out.

You should never put your dog in a stressful situation just for your own leisure and enjoyment. Train and condition your dogs so that you can go enjoy these activities together safely and confidently.

Should you tether your dog to the board?

Very similar to human tethering - there's a lot to think about here. My own preference is to have a floating line attached to my dog's life jacket but keep it hand held. This way, if either of us fall off the board, we're less likely to become tangled and get into trouble. 

In the sea - I would prefer to have myself tethered to the board, and the dog tethered to me on a hands-free waist lead. That way we all stay together if we come off. I would want to avoid a situation where the dog was tethered to the board but I was not. If the board gets swept away, the dog is going with it.

This one is very much dependent on the circumstances but I would personally avoid tethering my dog to the paddleboard. If they need to be tethered - it will be either a handheld, floating line or a hands-free waist leash. 

What's the best lifejacket for dogs?

There are loads on the market and it can be tempting to go for one of the cute mermaid ones or a cheap and cheerful one from the app with next day delivery! 

However.....

I'd like for you to think of this as a piece of life saving safety equipment. A lifejacket has a job to do. It needs to:

• Give your dog buoyancy on the water - they should be able to float in a natural position without moving.
• Support them in a safe position - the buoyancy of the jacket should hold your dog in the water in a natural swimming position, with the bum down and the head up slightly. Look for jackets with buoyancy on the sides and under the neck but not over the lower back or hips.
• Provide a means of rescue - choose one that has a handle on it! This way you can lift your dog out of the water and back onto the board, boat or shore if you need to.
• Keep them VISIBLE in the water. Especially important on large bodies of water, waterways shared with power craft and in the sea. Choose bright, highly visible colours like orange and yellow. Avoid greens, blues, purples and blacks. 
• Allow them to move naturally and without restriction - they should be able to run and swim normally with their lifejacket on.
• FIT - It must be a snug fit. Lifejackets that are too small may not provide enough buoyancy and those that are too big can move around and cause the dog to struggle. It should fit snugly enough to stay on, working and in place if your dog gets into difficulty.

We highly recommend the Non-stop Dogwear Protector Life Jacket and it's the one I use for my own dog. As someone with 10yrs experience working in the North Sea - this one is one of the best pieces of dog safety equipment I've ever seen. 

Train Your Dog! 

Finally, if you want to take your dog out paddling then I highly recommend doing some training with them first to help get them used to being on the board, the paddle and the sounds, smells and movement. This makes it much less of a big deal and takes away a load of stress when you do come to try it on the water.

You can find our step-by-step guide on how I trained Max to paddleboard on both our TikTok and YouTube channels. There might be something in these videos you could use to help get your own dog ready! 

Make good choices for your dogs and have fun out on the water this season! 

Amy & Max