Pedal boating with your dog


Pedal boating with your dog: that's a great idea! Neither too sporty nor too cushy, it's an ideal activity to cool off a bit in summer and discover your holiday destination in a different way. Embark your dog on the pedal boat: whether he likes water or hates it, the pedal boat is a good compromise. Either he will remain wisely on board to enjoy a good nap in the sun, or he will take the opportunity to take a few dives and swim with you during the bathing time. To each his own style ! 


For my part, I am a pedal boat fan just like my dog. The pedal boat forces you to slow down the pace, because it is a machine that goes slowly. It's time for a pleasant break without rushing. And then as there is no need for a pilot's license to guide the craft, you find yourself in the lead with 2-3 people on a few square meters floating around, it's the perfect time for some confidences! In short, between swimming and laughing, pedaloing with your dog is Wouafement Bien!



CAN MY DOG ​​RIDE A PEDAL BOAT?

Has your dog ever set foot on a pedal boat? Before you go on an adventure in the middle of the lake with him, make sure he's up for it. The first thing to check is that your dog can swim in case of a problem. If not, it's time to teach your dog to swim !


If there is little chance of capsizing when riding a pedal boat, there is still a risk of falling into the water. Imagine the scene: doggie is lying in front, you are pedalling and chatting with your friends, everything is fine... and all of a sudden, a duck lands a few metres away, and there is tragedy! Your dog only listens to his instincts and jumps in pursuit of the duck. Except that if he can't swim or has health problems, the splash could be catastrophic. So even if it goes without saying, I prefer to say it loud and clear here: no water activities for a dog who does not like water, panics in water and does not know or cannot swim!! Just like for you. It wouldn't occur to you to do a nautical activity if you have a phobia of water... or perhaps as soon as you no longer have your feet... Because if your dog jumps or falls into the water: it it is you, and you alone, who will have to go get it. Can you do it?


Does your dog know how to swim and love the water? Before you get started, take a few moments to let him climb on board quietly. Take him around the machine. That he can sniff it. Let him take his mark. Show him where he should sit for the ride. Reassure him if he is shaking a little. The plastic material of pedal boats is very slippery for their feet and often very hot. I advise you to bring a towel for your dog. He will be happy to find a non-slippery place to land on. It is important that your dog knows the basic commands like sit and stay. He must know how to stay calm otherwise you will spend your time diving to pick him up before he reaches the bank and fish him out. Once it's comfortable, step away from the edge a bit: the noise of the pedals in the water can impress him a little if he is a sensitive dog. See his reaction. If everything is ok: go! If your dog does not seem reassured and is trying to run away at all costs, you may need to change your activity...


One last piece of advice: never tie your dog to the pedal boat to prevent him from jumping. In case of danger, imbalance or bad reflex, if he jumps all the same, he can hurt himself very badly… it's dangerous.



EQUIPMENT FOR PEDAL BOATING WITH YOUR DOG


The rescue dog or dog floatation vest is useful for: 


Retrieve your dog that has jumped into the water or fallen. You can hoist your dog using the handle on the dog life jacket. No question of pulling him out of the water by pulling on his collar. You risk strangling him and / or hurting his neck very badly.


Securing your dog. Imagine, he was taking a good nap in the sun and boom he fell into cold water… The shock could be harsh and make him lose his senses. The vest forces him to get into the right position to swim and bring him to the surface quickly. 


Make the pleasure last. Your dog loves to swim: his vest will allow him to enjoy it longer and get less tired. And if it's a puppy or senior dog or with a health problem, the vest will provide comfort and support to continue enjoying the joys of swimming.


How to choose your dog life jacket? You will find on the site a comparison of life jackets for dogs to help you make the right choice. Personally, Musher is equipped with the Ruffwear K9 Float Coat which we use in all the water sports we do together. I also really like the Kurgo life jacket  and the Julius K-9 life jacket . For an infrequent practice of water sports, the Trixie lifejacket may suffice. 


I canoe with my dog . I paddle with my dog . And even if we do water rescue together and Musher is an excellent swimmer with great stamina, I always equip her with a dog life jacket! 


On the material side, I advise you to take a foldable bowl and water, because in full sun on a lake, it can quickly get very very hot... Beware of heatstroke for your dog , especially if he does not bathe. For dogs with clear truffles,  dog sunscreen is a good idea too. Like us, dogs can get sunburned and peel… Protect it.


WHERE TO GO PEDALO WITH YOUR DOG?

Ready to pedalo with your dog? All that remains is to find a dog-friendly pedalo rental base ;) Fortunately, you can count on the Woofers community who have shared their best pedalo spots on their site in the activity to do with a dog section of the site. And if you know of other renters not listed yet: share your Too Wouf Address on the site like any good self-respecting Woofers to allow others to have a good time with their dog :)


Good pedal boat session to all!!