How to ensure a stand-up match
Here are some suggestions for stand-up paddleboarding with a dog.
1 Buy your dog an inflatable vest.
2 Make sure you can stand-up paddle-board comfortably. Dogs will mirror your stress.
3 Let your dog watch you paddle from the shore. Wave and call out, smiling and laughing.
4 Put your dog on the board on the beach to get comfortable. Then put the dog on the board in shallow water and walk, holding the board. Let the
dog jump off to get used to the water. Don’t force the dog back on the board.
5 Put dog and owner on the board. Start paddling on your knees with the dog in front of you.
6 Stand up. Initially, place the dog between your legs so you don’t bop it on the head with your paddle.
7 Teach your dog commands like “stay” “sit” and “stand” in case a bird or a fish come by.
8 Let small dogs perch on the bow. Keep heavy dogs on the back third of the board.