Kayaking with your doodle

[EJ & Dante]

I love recreational kayaking, and we live at the edge of river (slow moving to flat water).  Dante is 4 months old and being in Upper Michigan, it's not really warm yet, but I took him for a brief trip on a warm day a few weeks ago.  He didn't love it, but didn't hate it.

Issues:  I have a sit in Kayak, and he's over 30 lbs.  He didn't fit well and wasn't comfortable.  Moving water seemed to make him a bit anxious, but by the end, wanted to lean over the edge to drink, making me worry he'd tip the kayak.  

We kept it short, and went to the other side of the lake to hike which he loved.  Didn't have a huge issue getting back into the kayak, but I had to lift him.

I picked up a used sit on top kayak that would have plenty of room for him to lay down (what he wanted to do but couldn't).  I'm going to put a non skid surface on "his" area, so his feet won't slip.  I'm getting him a PFD.    I'm teaching him the command "load", but we aren't there yet.

Anyone kayak or boat with their dog, tips and suggestions to make it successful and enjoyable for both of us?

Edie and Dante

[EJ & Dante]

very short trip with the new setup.  Went well!

  

[F, Calla & Luca]

Congratulations!

[Rose Coward]

My Molly Doodle loves kayaking, I have one of those sit-on-top style kayak's too. She loves wearing her life jacket (not in photo), she knows that it takes less energy to stay afloat.

[c zoomer]

Dinah and I just bought a Hobie Outback kayak.  We'll be all ears if there are stories to be told, fun times, and cautions.  One in particular, is sunburn.  Dinah is an apricot parti and her skin color is light cream.  I'd really like to protect her eyes from the reflected UVs.  Has anyone tried sun glasses for real, and not just a cute photo?