Do you love stand-up paddle boarding but don’t want to leave your furry friend behind? Have no fear! We will teach you how to paddle board with your dog. It is a great way to spend time with your pet and get some exercise simultaneously. We will also discuss how to train your dog to paddle board with you. Let’s get started!
Safety Tips For Bringing Your Dog Paddle Boarding
Paddle boarding with your dog can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors with your canine companion. Here are a few safety considerations to keep in mind.
Make sure your dog is comfortable being on the water. Life jackets should be worn by both of you.
Choose a calm body of water where you won’t have to worry about waves or strong currents before you start paddle boarding.
When you’re paddling, keep your dog close to the front of the board so that they don’t accidentally fall off.
Choose a paddle board that is the right size for you and your dog. Small dogs, large dogs, young dogs, and older dogs can enjoy paddling with a stable board. You’ll also want to make sure the board has enough grip for both of you. If you have a large dog, try using a yoga board.
Get yourself comfortable on the board before asking your dog to join you. Once you’re both on the board, have your dog sit or lie down in front of you so that they don’t accidentally knock you off.
Bring plenty of fresh water for both you and your best friend to stay hydrated.
How to Get Your Dog On a Paddle Board
Learning to SUP with your dog is simple and so much fun with some practice. You don’t need to be a professional dog trainer to teach them. Provide verbal commands and treats as needed for positive reinforcement. The number one suggestion for getting your dog on your paddle board is practicing on land several times before hitting the water. Try getting on in shallow water once your dog gets the hang of the motions. The essential thing with paddle boarding with your furry friend is making sure you are both comfortable, confident, and safe.
How to Train Your Dog to Sit On a Paddle Board
Teaching your dog to get on the paddle board may take some practice, time, and patience. If your dog is good at verbal commands, we suggest:
Put your board on the ground. You may need to remove the bottom fin to make sure the board is flat.
Teach your dog to step on the board. Give your dog a special command such as “get on.” You can also pat the rubber mat where you want your dog to sit and provide a treat as an incentive. Repeat this several times until the command is established.
Just like stepping on, you need to teach your dog to jump off the paddle board. Provide verbal commands such as “jump off.” Have them hop off the board in shallow water and close to the shore. If your dog jumps off prematurely, help them get back on and try again.
To stay balanced, you will want your dog to sit still in one area of the board. While on the shore, call your dog and have them sit in the desired spot. Tell them to “sit.” Have them practice this several times by getting off and back on and sitting in the same spot. Ensure your dog sits in the same spot until instructed to “jump off.”
Practice all of the above commands in shallow water until you fill your dog is comfortable getting on, sitting, and jumping off your paddle board.
Practice with your pup doing short distances first and extending as you both feel more comfortable. Practice makes perfect!
Can a Dog Go On An Inflatable Paddle Board?
Inflatable paddle boards (or iSUPs) are popular for water lovers of all ages and abilities. They are easy to transport and set up, and they provide a stable platform for paddling, fishing, yoga, and more.
But can your furry friend join in on the fun? The answer is yes – with a few precautions. First, make sure your dog is comfortable around water and knows how to swim. Second, choose inflatable boards that are the right size for your dog – one that is big enough to provide plenty of room but not so large that it will be difficult to control. Finally, take things slowly at first, letting your dog get used to the board before taking it out on the water. With these simple tips, you and your four-legged friend can enjoy plenty of paddling adventures together.
Tips For Taking Your Dog On Inflatable Paddle Boards
Taking your dog out on a stand-up paddle board (SUP) can be fun to enjoy some time together on the water. However, there are a few safety considerations to keep in mind for inflatable boards, and many are the same as regular stand-up paddle boards.
Make sure that your dog is wearing a life jacket and that you have a personal floatation device. Even if your dog is a strong swimmer, the extra buoyancy will help keep them safe if they fall off the board.
It’s essential to choose an inflatable SUP designed explicitly for dogs. These boards tend to be broader and more sturdy, making it less likely that your dog will fall off.
Take some time to practice paddling with your dog before taking them out on open water.Â
Can I Rent a Paddle Board for My Dog and Me?
Ride and Paddle is the perfect place to rent a paddle board for you and your pup. We also offer other rental services such as beach gear, kayaks, bicycles, and scooters. Our paddle boards are top of the line, and we have a wide variety to choose from. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced paddler, we have the perfect board. And our knowledgeable staff is always happy to help you select the right gear and give you tips on how to get the most out of your time on the water. So, whether you’re looking for a good workout with your dog or just want to enjoy a day on the bay or ocean, give Ride and Paddle a call. We’ll ensure you have everything you need for a fun and enjoyable experience.
Bikes were great! Very easy to reserve and pick up. They were actually super nice since we got there to pick them up 5 minutes after they closed, and still helped us. 🙂
Melanie Ridlon
13:27 04 Jan 21
Renting bikes for 3 days for our family of 4 (18 year old twins, so hard to find family activities) was the highlight of our Siesta Key trip. We actually found something we all did for the very first time...riding bikes on the beach. The bikes made the trip and the best way to get around Siesta Key. Cherry on top was finding out we supported a women-owned business. Thanks Ride & Paddle!
Mike Kidder
16:21 30 Nov 20
Fast, easy and courteous service.Prices seem to be the same all over the key so don’t waste time shopping price. This place was right around the corner from us and bikes worked out great. The bikes seemed pretty new & well maintained. Nice big comfortable seats
Jack Forrest
17:00 29 Nov 20
Super easy week long rental of paddle boards with drop off and pickup, lock included. Price was better than anywhere else too. The boards are wide and heavy, better for beginners, but no complaints here considering the price!
vikki cunningham
17:27 20 Nov 20
Great guided tour paddle! The guide, Craig, was very knowledgeable and friendly. Getting a kayak and booking the trip was super easy and done over the phone so we just meet them at the water. We highly recommend it and will do it again.
Angie Poor
12:40 22 Aug 20
We stopped in to get some advice for where to Paddleboard while we were in town. Very friendly staff and lots of great information. It was nice of them to take the time to speak to us and we had a great paddle! We wanted to support his business so we bought a hat while we were there. Great people!!
Joseph Maguire
15:06 18 Aug 20
Well it was a hell of a trip I'll tell you I never expected to get the value for the Kayaking trip we took. We saw manatees one really close up too, wild life, we encountered flying fish, the staff were friendly. The boats were in perfect comfortable shape, and the map was well explained. We toured the ecologically friendly sites and we got a bit of peace and respite in the morning before a huge lightning shower came in. We felt safe we followed protocols kayaked along the shore line and got home safely, but the entire trip was amazing magical even. We'll do it again despite the bad weather that came out of nowhere.
Cat D
18:37 13 Aug 20
Everyone at Ride & Paddle were so friendly and accommodating. Great prices too! Will definitely use again the next time we are in town!
Connie Massie
20:01 30 Jul 20
We had a great experience with Ride and Paddle! We just needed 1 additional bike for a few days and they delivered and picked it up seamlessly. They were very friendly and even allowed us to keep it an extra couple of hours! Would 100% recommend them and we will definitely use them again
Kina Condra
14:22 10 May 20
This place was awesome! Great service and friendly staff! They made our trip less stressful and more enjoyable!
Kathy Letterman
03:03 01 Mar 20
Our group of six took the kayak tour and had a wonderful time! Craig was a great guide and was very patient with us since 4 of the 6 were first-timers. The tour was fabulous and very informative about the wildlife. We had a great time exploring the area and taking a break on a secluded beach. All in all a great time and highly recommended!!
Gary Rieger
22:24 17 Jan 20
Awesome bike rental! We loved the ease of renting and having the bikes waiting for us at the start of the Legacy Trail. Couldn’t have been more convenient!! Equipment was top notch too from the helmets to the bike lock to the Trek Verve bikes. Great ride and I highly recommend renting from Ride &Paddle.
Lawrence Menefee
22:07 14 Jan 20
Rented a scooter for three days. The staff were all super nice and easy to work with. My scooter was cool, zipped me around with no problem... and I'm a big guy?The price was easy on my wallet which is always a plus. I'll definitely go here again
Michael Stoos
19:45 02 Jan 20
We came. We saw. We biked.These guys were great! Great location just two blocks from the beach access, and on a main road where they're easy to find (and next to a nice little bar/restaurant for after-ride refreshments!). Everyone was super-friendly and took the time to get our bikes set up correctly for us, answer our out-of-towner questions, point us the right way, and smile while doing it! Our bikes were well-kept, comfy, and worked great. And the price was super! Riding up and down Siesta Key was a "must do" for my daughter, and Ride & Paddle made it work out wonderfully. Highly recommend!
Mel B
18:57 01 Jan 20
We rented bikes for two small girls. Staff was very helpful and patient in making sure bikes were the right size for them. We were very pleased and the 3-day rental was well worth it. Thanks to Ride & Paddle our family bike rides turned out to be a highlight of our trip here!
Zach Zussman-Dobbins
20:16 29 Nov 19
Awesome spot for road bike rentals! Had a selection of sizes of aluminum trek road bikes to choose from. They cheerfully put on SPD pedals that matched my shoes and included a helmet and a pack with allen wrenches, a pump, tire levers and a tube with the rental. The bike was well maintained and a great ride with no problems over 80 miles in the 4 days I had it. Great price, great service, this is definitely where I'll go to rent a road bike when I'm back in the area.
Bob Gordon
03:59 28 Nov 19
Show me the ... Manatees! Easy to use, very informative company. Great directions and a handy map attached to front of kayak allowed us to see all the sights on our self guided tour plus two manatees right off the bat and at the end! Highly recommend.
Robert Viera
21:20 22 Nov 19
We stayed in Siesta Key village and where able to use the bikes to get to and fromour destinations. The bikes were delivered right to doorstep and picked up as well. The service was excellent.
randy
14:05 11 Nov 19
The quality of the bikes was great. On time delivery and pick up.Great job.
sally kell
21:17 08 Nov 19
Super helpful and nice, also very reasonably priced!Awesome experience
Edward Witkowski
21:58 05 Nov 19
The paddle Boards were very nice and clean and new. Very happy with our rental.
Angela Stahl
15:23 01 Nov 19
Rented a beach wheelchair for my in-law for our wedding day. Delivered on time. We had an accident and one of our groomsmen broke his foot the night of the wedding. I called and within minutes had the rental time extended so he could enjoy the beach for the rest of his vacation. Thank you so much!!
Elizabeth Engel
15:09 15 Oct 19
We just returned from a lovely holiday weekend in Siesta Key made even more lovely by the helpful staff at Ride & Paddle. We went on a guided kayak tour with Trish. We're infrequent kayakers, so her brief tutoring session was greatly appreciated, and she quickly spotted an adjustment I needed to make to my paddling technique that prevented me from getting blisters. She took us through the mangroves and pointed out all sorts of wildlife along the way, and we ended up on a secluded beach where we ate lunch and collected shells. She also recommended we pack a picnic and check out Siesta Key's famous Sunday evening sunset drum circle on the public beach, for which we secured Ride & Paddle beach chairs. All the equipment was in great shape, and the staff was friendly and knowledgeable. Online reservation system is a real plus, too.
Caroline Ramey
16:08 11 Oct 19
The rental cost is very reasonable with free delivery included. Our kids had an amazing time and the staff was very friendly and helpful! Will definitely use this company next time we are here!
tampistash tampi
18:32 28 Jun 19
Very nice equipment. Was given a map to show us more or less where to go and what we can do in that area. There was a beautiful private beach and I highly recommend bringing snorkeling equipment. We saw a couple of dolphins. It was near the exit into the ocean when we were about to drop off the gear at around 1pm. They were eating fish in a group. Great experience and I would do again very soon. It's only 40 bucks for a tandem kayak and it comes with life vests and the map and the two paddles for 4 hours. We got there at 9am and left the gear back at 1pm. There is parking there and I'd recommend to bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunblock and some water if the weather is hot.
tampistash tampi
18:32 28 Jun 19
Very nice equipment. Was given a map to show us more or less where to go and what we can do in that area. There was a beautiful private beach and I highly recommend bringing snorkeling equipment. We saw a couple of dolphins. It was near the exit into the ocean when we were about to drop off the gear at around 1pm. They were eating fish in a group. Great experience and I would do again very soon. It's only 40 bucks for a tandem kayak and it comes with life vests and the map and the two paddles for 4 hours. We got there at 9am and left the gear back at 1pm. There is parking there and I'd recommend to bring sunglasses, a hat, and sunblock and some water if the weather is hot.
Frankie Bonano
11:56 20 Jun 19
We rented kayaks here and they were awesome just like the staff working there.
J Towne
18:52 15 Apr 19
Wonderful fun, even a windy kayaking day. No hassle desk service and friendly. Justin was just great... Helpful and friendly, he shared some insights and pointers to make it a great kayaking adventure at the launch.
Katrina Herrera
01:51 07 Apr 19
Had a great experience kayaking off crescent beach. Chris, is super friendly and helpful. We cannot wait to go back!
Jessica Goebeler
14:51 13 Mar 19
If you're heading to Siesta Key, make sure you rent a bike or kayak (or both!) from Siesta Sports. I booked both online before I arrived so I didn't have to worry about availability. The bike was delivered - for free - to my rental tiny house. I'm definitely returning to Siesta Key and renting from Siesta Sports again. Great customer service, friendly staff, and items in excellent working condition. You can tell the owner takes pride in this shop.
Jessica Goebeler
14:51 13 Mar 19
If you're heading to Siesta Key, make sure you rent a bike or kayak (or both!) from Siesta Sports. I booked both online before I arrived so I didn't have to worry about availability. The bike was delivered - for free - to my rental tiny house. I'm definitely returning to Siesta Key and renting from Siesta Sports again. Great customer service, friendly staff, and items in excellent working condition. You can tell the owner takes pride in this shop.
Sean Sullivan
17:18 27 Feb 19
Highly Recommended. Best place to rent beach gear in Siesta Key.
A Google User
14:06 08 Jan 19
Highly Recommended.Best place to rent beach gear in Siesta Key.
Tyler Irvin
13:40 14 Oct 18
Very helpful and respectful staff, we rented 3 scooters and it was great. Good scooters with crash bars for the riders safety. We had an a key break off in the ignition, but they were understanding and we were able to work it out.
jklodner
15:18 13 Oct 18
Once again Trish and her staff make our vacation more enjoyable! Rented a bike, blew a tire, they were out to fix it immediately! Always Friendly. The guys on the beach (Ian and new guy Ben) take care of everything not only for us but everyone on the beach at Midnight Cove! No better place to get your Bikes, Kayak, boards etc!! 5+ stars!
Thomas Howard
01:27 26 Sep 18
This is a great place to rent gear for excursions in the siesta key area. We rented some snorkels for the day and the guy working at the store was nice enough to let us know some good spots to snorkel at. Unfortunately with the red tide in the area and high winds the snorkeling ended up sucking.
Ottomon
22:42 12 Aug 18
Recomended .Best place to rent scooters and beach gear, on the Siesta island. Scooters are top qualty run awesome! not some raggedy cheap China scooters for rent . Friendly staff ,easy place to find
Raquel Santos
23:41 28 Jun 18
Rented scooters here great experience. Staff is extremely patient and helpful.
Laura Noble
23:06 25 Apr 17
We had a great experience on our guided kayaking trip! Todd was very friendly and knowledgeable, and gave my son many tips for fishing. Loved seeing the mullets jumping out of the water and being able to go at a pace that worked for the whole family. We've been using siesta sport rentals for bike rentals and kayaking for more than 10 years. It is so nice to see the same friendly faces year after year.