Johnson Outdoors : Bring Your Dog Along on Your Next Kayaking or Canoe Adventure

Bring Your Dog Along on Your Next Kayaking or Canoe Adventure

With the right watercraft, a little patience, and of course plenty of dog treats; any dog is capable of becoming excellent water travellers. Johnson Outdoors and Old Town Canoes and Kayaks would like to help you break down the basics of canine-friendly watercraft, supplies and any special training your dog may require.

Dog-Friendly Canoes and Kayaks
There are many excellent watercraft options well suited to get you and your canine out on water together this summer. If you're wondering if your current watercraft will work, you'll want to first review the weight specifications and then assess its overall stability. At Old Town, we have a few staff-favorites that have proven to be excellent options for travelling with dogs.

The Old Town Sportsman 120is a great choice and we highly recommend you consider this as your most dog-friendly kayak. This sit on top watercraft offers comfortable seating for you and your dog with plenty of space and great stability in the water. The Sportsman 120 has a large cockpit and oversized tank that provides a platform that is easy to organize, a sealed bow hatch for additional dry storage, and it has plenty of room to fish with your canine.

If you have a smaller-sized dog, our second recommendation is theOld Town Vapor 10. This is a sit-inside hard-shell kayak and is designed with a huge cockpit and plenty of legroom so your dog can sit in-between your legs while you paddle. It is a solo kayak but the bigger cockpit still allows comfort and safety so that your dog can travel comfortably. The Vapor 10 is 10 feet in length, easy to carry, and is also available in three models: the standard recreational version, the XT and the Angler.

For canoes we recommend the 16 foot 9 inch,Old Town Discovery 169. This is one of the most durable canoes on the market and great for dogs as it offers plenty of space for both you and your pup to get comfortable. Another great feature of the Discovery 169 is the maximum weight capacity of up to 1,400 pounds! That is what makes this decision a no-brainer-it's made to easily accommodate two paddlers, a furry companion, and all of the essential paddling gear that you need for a multi-day excursion.

Is My Dog Water Ready?
Now, let's talk about your pooch. Nobody knows your dog and their personality better than you, so you are going to have to make the final decision of whether or not your pet is ready for an adventure on the kayak. If your dog is skittish it probably isn't going to enjoy being confined on a small boat. Easy-going and adventurous canines are your best options for a day in an Old Town kayak or canoe but with practice and patience we have faith in every dog personality out there.

With antics aside you'll need to think about your dog's size more than anything. Larger breeds like St. Bernard's, Mastiffs, and Great Dane's really aren't the best choice for personal watercraft, as their weight will make it hard for you to maneuver and navigate, not to mention the room they will take up on board. We recommend that you shouldn't take any dog weighing more than 100 lbs. on a kayak. Labradors, Retrievers, and Spaniels are definitely the most comfortable on the water but it's not to say that your smaller breeds can't enjoy a day spent outside as well.

Equipping your Dog for the Water
With smaller breeds be sure to be cautious of them entering the water and consider having them wear a PFD (personal floatation device). Life jackets are just as important for your pet as they are for you. A PFD for you and your dog is a must on the water and we recommend that you never go out in your kayak without one. The extra buoyancy will help your pup stay afloat and with a handle on the dog's jacket it will make it easier to get your animal back in your vessel.
Here is a list of the top 5 dog PFDs on the market and a link to see more:https://www.k9ofmine.com/best-dog-life-vests/

1. Ruffwear Float Coat
2. Outward Hound Grandby
3. Haocoo
4. Paws Aboard
5. Kurgo Surf n Turf

Take it One Step at a Time
Before you go out for a day-long excursion you should plan on a quick little run to test the waters. Even if your dog is a thoroughbred water-dog you'll still want to go somewhere controlled and calm for your first time out. The test run will let you know how much you can push your dog and how open they are to life on the kayak. If your dog is nervous and keeps trying to jump off board you'll need to train them and prepare them a little bit more. Don't rush the process-at the end of the day you don't want to force your pet to join you if they're not ready.
Once you feel confident in your ability and your dog's ability there are a few things we would suggest you pack. You will want to bring double the amount of freshwater on a trip when you bring your dog along and also don't forget to bring your pets favorite treats!

Here's an additional checklist of all the other gear you may need to make the most of your day on the water:

• Bag of Food
• Sunscreen for you and for your dog's nose
• Collapsible silicone water bowl
• Leash
• Ball/Favorite Toy

Now that you are equipped with everything you need for you and your pet companion there is only one thing left to do...have fun! At Johnson Outdoors, we believe the outdoors are for everyone to enjoy-including your furry best friend.