More and more customers ask the same thing: can I take my dog in a kayak? Some want to go fishing with their four-legged friend, others simply do not want to leave their pet at home for the weekend. The answer is simple: you can, but not every kayak is suitable.<\/p>\n
In this guide we explain what matters when choosing a kayak for a dog, how to prepare your pet for the first trip and which mistakes to avoid.<\/p>\n
A classic kayak with an enclosed cockpit is not suitable for a dog. There is simply nowhere for the animal to lie down, and when it moves it throws the boat off balance.<\/p>\n
An open-deck kayak works differently. The deck is flat and free, so the dog has its own place where it can lie down, stand up or turn around. You do not need to sit frozen, worried about its every move.<\/p>\n
The second thing is width. The wider the hull, the less the kayak reacts to a shift in weight. When the dog suddenly stands up after spotting a duck, width is what keeps you both from ending up in the water.<\/p>\n
NuCanoe kayaks are designed as flat platforms with an open deck. That makes them some of the best suited for paddling with a pet.<\/p>\n
For comparison: 104 cm is about the width of a small rubber dinghy. On a deck like that, a medium-sized dog can lie down at full length.<\/p>\n
You will find the full range in the kayaks category<\/a>.<\/p>\n Do not take the dog straight into the water. Preparation takes a few days but saves a lot of stress.<\/p>\n Put the kayak in the yard or garage. Let the dog sniff it, climb in and lie down. Give it treats on the deck. Repeat for a few days until climbing in becomes routine.<\/p>\n Choose calm water near the shore. Fifteen minutes is enough. If the dog is nervous, go back and try another day.<\/p>\n The dog needs to know where its place is. Usually that is the front part of the deck or the spot in front of you. Consistently guide it back to the same place.<\/p>\n Yes, but in a different way. An inflatable paddle board's deck is soft and non-slip, so it is comfortable for a dog to stand on. The drawback is that you are standing rather than sitting, so the overall balance is more sensitive.<\/p>\n If you choose a paddle board for paddling with a dog, go for a wider and longer model. We wrote more about this in our paddle board buying guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n It can, especially the first few times or when it spots a bird. That is why a vest with a handle matters. Most dogs quickly swim back to the kayak on their own, but lifting a 30 kg dog out without a handle is hard. We have Baltic Mascot<\/a> and Baltic Pluto<\/a> models, and for cats there is the Baltic Maja<\/a>.<\/p>\n A large dog, such as a Labrador or a shepherd, fits on the NuCanoe Unlimited and Unlimited MAX with their 104 cm wide deck. The narrower Flint model is better for dogs up to 15 kg.<\/p>\n Claws can scratch a polyethylene kayak deck, but that is a cosmetic defect. For an inflatable boat or paddle board, we recommend a mat and short-trimmed claws.<\/p>\n Yes, but you need order on the deck. Hooks and lures must be in a box, not lying around. A dog caught on a treble hook will ruin more than just your day.<\/p>\n Paddling with a dog is realistic if the kayak has an open deck and enough width. NuCanoe models are better suited to it than most alternatives, because they were designed as platforms rather than narrow, fast kayaks.<\/p>\n Spend a few days preparing on land, get a vest for your dog and start with short trips. After a few outings your pet will climb into the kayak by itself.<\/p>\n The best time to start is late spring and early summer. The water is already warm and the heat has not yet set in. If the dog accidentally ends up in the water, June water is not dangerous.<\/p>\n In midsummer, plan trips for early morning or evening. At midday the dark kayak deck heats up, and dogs sweat only through their paws and by panting. Always carry water and a bowl.<\/p>\n We do not recommend paddling with a dog in autumn and winter unless you are experienced. Cold water is dangerous for both you and your pet, and a rescue takes longer than you think.<\/p>\n Some dogs react to the paddle's movement and try to catch it. That is annoying and risky, because while chasing the paddle the dog leans over the side.<\/p>\n The solution is simple: practice on land. Sit in the kayak in the yard and move the paddle. When the dog tries to grab it, calmly stop and wait. When it stops reacting, praise it. A few short sessions usually solve the problem.<\/p>\n Ne kiekvienas kajakas tinka plaukioti su \u0161unimi. Paai\u0161kiname, kod\u0117l svarbus atviras denis ir plotis, kurie NuCanoe modeliai tinka, kaip paruo\u0161ti augintin\u012f ir ko vengti.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":269312,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[500],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-269249","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kajakai"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\tHow to prepare your dog for the first trip<\/h2>\n
1. Practice on land<\/h3>\n
2. Keep the first paddle short<\/h3>\n
3. Show it its spot<\/h3>\n
What to bring<\/h2>\n
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What not to do<\/h2>\n
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Is an inflatable paddle board suitable for a dog<\/h2>\n
Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n
Can a dog fall out of a kayak?<\/h3>\n
What size dog fits?<\/h3>\n
Will dog claws damage the kayak?<\/h3>\n
Can you fish with a dog in a kayak?<\/h3>\n
In short<\/h2>\n
When the season is best<\/h2>\n
How to get your dog used to the paddle<\/h2>\n
Read also<\/h3>\n
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