The key is to give them something to provide traction in the bottom of the
boat. Dogs tend to be skittish if they are slipping around on the bottom of a
royalex canoe. I use a rubber mat with a carpet top. This allows her to hop
in and out with no problem. The canine PFD I use has a grab handle on the back
which allows me to lift her out of water like a suitcase when we are in open
water. As for keeping your dog
from jumping around just keep correcting them and they will learn. Just don't
get frustrated, it takes time. You want to be sure they have fun and they will
be great to have along. One last thing. I always keep a short leash handy to
control my dog when we land. But DO NOT keep the dog leashed in the canoe. In
case of a capsize
entanglement is a real risk. Hope this helps.

"AConst" wrote in message
...
The key is to give them something to provide traction in the bottom of the
boat. Dogs tend to be skittish if they are slipping around on the bottom
of a
royalex canoe. I use a rubber mat with a carpet top. This allows her to
hop
in and out with no problem. The canine PFD I use has a grab handle on the
back
which allows me to lift her out of water like a suitcase when we are in
open
water. As for keeping your dog
from jumping around just keep correcting them and they will learn. Just
don't
get frustrated, it takes time. You want to be sure they have fun and they
will
be great to have along. One last thing. I always keep a short leash
handy to
control my dog when we land. But DO NOT keep the dog leashed in the
canoe. In
case of a capsize
entanglement is a real risk. Hope this helps.

What a cool thread! Never trained a dog to be a canoeing partner, but I
think I'd also suggest getting her used to her PFD beforehand. Maybe put it
on her, then go play frisbee or something so she gets used to PFD = fun.
Smack her if she chews on it. I don't know if they make commercial doggie
PFDs, but I'd look into designs....I imagine you'd want more flotation down
around her chest area to keep her head up, but not so wide that it
interferes with her dogpaddling.

I think I'd also spend some time with her in the canoe in the yard, so she
can get used to her 'spot' in it. Another consideration is to train her to
stay with you and the canoe in case it capsizes. Nothing worse than going
over in a lake, and the dog heads for shore (a mile away!). You'll have your
hands full already getting righted. I'd suggest playing in water shallow
enough for you to stand in, and training her to climb on the inverted hull,
or to just grab the painter and hang out.

Just thoughts from something I have no experience with!

--riverman

"riverman" wrote...

What a cool thread! Never trained a dog to be a canoeing partner, but I
think I'd also suggest getting her used to her PFD beforehand. Maybe put
it
on her, then go play frisbee or something so she gets used to PFD = fun.
Smack her if she chews on it. I don't know if they make commercial doggie
PFDs, but I'd look into designs....I imagine you'd want more flotation
down
around her chest area to keep her head up, but not so wide that it
interferes with her dogpaddling.

We've seen several dogs in kayaks and canoes on the Puget Sound and Lake
Washington.

Depends on the dog, of course, but our Brittany never objected to the PFD.
We take her out in our 21' SeaPearl, and are working up to taking her in the
Adirondack Guideboat (she's a bit active right now...). The first time we
took her sailing, we just put the PFD on her, and she jumped into the boat!

There are a few commercial canine PFDs available. The cheap one we have has
lasted 5+ years, and we just bought another, "better" one (don't have the
name handy). All the floatation is on top/sides, and only the straps go
around the chest/belly; otherwise it ight tend to invert...


I think I'd also spend some time with her in the canoe in the yard, so she
can get used to her 'spot' in it. .

I'd suggest a shallow spot near the beach rather than the back yard. Start
right off with the entry/exit, and practice retrieving her when (not "if"!)
she jumps overboard.

What a cool thread! Never trained a dog to be a canoeing partner, but I
think I'd also suggest getting her used to her PFD beforehand. Maybe put it
on her, then go play frisbee or something so she gets used to PFD = fun.
Smack her if she chews on it. I don't know if they make commercial doggie
PFDs, but I'd look into designs....I imagine you'd want more flotation down
around her chest area to keep her head up, but not so wide that it
interferes with her dogpaddling.

An example of a good doggie PFD

http://www.pooch.ca/item1140.htm

a lot of cheaper vest just have straps going around the stomach instead of
the wrap around float panel, making them uncomfortable to wear and don't
offer proper flotation.