Take Your Dog Paddleboarding: Tips From Our First SUP Pup Outing
Quick take: Even a dog who isn't a natural swimmer can enjoy a day on a stand up paddleboard. Put them in a dog life jacket with a grab handle, rely on a few solid commands like "wait," "help" and "up," paddle from your knees at first, stay close to your group, and never force your dog into the water. Patience and lots of praise do the rest.
As with every new experience, teaching your dog to be comfortable on a SUP (stand up paddleboard) takes patience, lots of praise and a willingness to laugh when they nearly knock you into the water. We kept all of that in mind when we took Cinder, our Border Collie mix, out for her first paddle on Scappoose Bay.
Cinder isn't much of a water dog. She'd only swum on her own a handful of times and much prefers chasing bubbles up and down the shoreline. We've never forced her into the water, so we approached our SUP day with the same no-forcing attitude. It was also Cinder's first day in her new Ruffwear Float Coat, a well-made dog life jacket we hoped would help her feel more secure if she ended up in the water.
Getting your dog onto the board
We got our boards set up, put on our own life jackets and headed down to the water. A few basic commands made getting Cinder aboard easy:
- "Sit," "stay" and "wait": Cinder stood patiently on shore until Andy was settled on his board and ready for her.
- "Help": we normally use this when boulder-hopping or scrambling. It tells her we're about to pick her up and she should stay calm while being held. Andy asked if she wanted "help," and she stepped right into his lap, a little worried but totally calm. Lots of praise followed.
Start on your knees
We paddled out with Cinder looking around and exploring her temporary domain. Starting the day kneeling was a big help, since a new SUP pup can be wiggly and hard to balance while you're moving.
Cinder doesn't like her "herd" spread out. When Andy and I (Corie) drifted about 100 feet apart, she whined, then calmly plopped into the water and swam toward my board. More praise: she was swimming! When she reached me, I said "help" and used the handle on her Float Coat to pull her up. Good thing I was kneeling, because when she shook off, I was sure I was going overboard.
Building confidence on the water
We explored the bay, watching fish jump and birds hunting in the shallows, then pulled onto the shore for a snack while Cinder played in the bubbles. Another handy command is "up," which we use to get her to jump onto objects, and even into our arms. Before we pushed off, we told her "up" and she hopped right onto Andy's board.
This time she was ready to play. Cinder spent most of the ride back attacking the bubbles and spray from our paddles, and happily hopped in to swim between our boards. The life jacket clearly boosted her confidence in the water, and its handle made it easy for us to scoop her back onto the boards.
Our top tips for paddleboarding with your dog
- Use a dog life jacket with a handle. It helps nervous dogs feel secure and makes lifting them back onto the board much easier.
- Teach a few commands first. "Wait," "help" and "up" made our day significantly easier.
- Paddle sitting or kneeling at first. A wiggly or shaking dog is much less likely to knock you overboard.
- Keep your group close. Some dogs get anxious when their people spread out.
- Never force it. Let your dog set the pace, and praise every small win.
I didn't realize how much fun it would be to have our little land mammal out on the water. Even the least water-loving dogs might enjoy a couple of hours exploring a lake, river or bay with you.
Shop dog adventure gear
- Ruffwear Front Range Harness Everyday harness with a leash clip and handle-friendly fit
- Ruffwear Vert Waterproof Insulated Vest Warmth after a chilly swim
- Ruffwear Front Range Collar Durable everyday collar
- Ruffwear Stash Bag Mini Treats and waste bags at hand
- Ruffwear Trail Runner Belt Hands-free leash for the walk to the launch
Looking for a dog life jacket or paddling gear? Visit our Grand Avenue store in Portland's Central Eastside and our staff can help you find the right fit.
Paddleboarding with dogs FAQ
Does my dog need a life jacket to paddleboard?
It's strongly recommended. A dog life jacket keeps your dog buoyant if they jump or fall in, boosts their confidence, and a top handle makes it easy to lift them back onto the board.
How do I get my dog on a paddleboard?
Get yourself settled first, then have your dog step or be lifted aboard using a familiar command. Practice on shore or in shallow water before heading out.
Should I stand or kneel when paddleboarding with a dog?
Start by kneeling or sitting. It lowers your center of gravity so a moving or shaking dog is much less likely to tip you over.
What if my dog doesn't like the water?
Don't force it. Keep sessions short, stay calm, reward small steps with praise, and let your dog decide when to get in.
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