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Floating the river with Fido has become a Bend, Oregon tradition. Pictured here: The 2010 Race for the River.
You may call it sort of a tradition around here, but when the mercury rises, Bendites and their mutts make a mad dash for the Deschutes River, hopping on the nearest kayak, paddleboard, inner tube, air mattress, or inflatable to “float the river“. The crisp mountain waters and leisurely current that wraps around our hometown makes for the perfect Fido-friendly summer activity.
If floating is new to you, consider doing a warm up float sans Fido. This will help you concentrate on the river and anticipate obstacles for the next time when you bring your dog along. Look for shallow areas, areas that would make good rest stops for Fido, and dog-friendly put-ins and take-outs.
When you are ready to attempt the float with your dog, arm yourself with a few essentials:
- A dog lifejacket – to help less agile water dogs swim, and help the endurance of seasoned swimmers.
- A raft repair kit – because dog nails and inflatables equal popped raft.
- Dog treats – because swimming makes dogs hungry.
- A leash – for keeping your dog at bay during put-in and take-out.
There’s a pretty significant amount of strategy involved in taking your dog in watercraft for the first time. Because the size, weight, and balance is different with every craft, it takes some experimenting to discover the best location for your dog.
Here are some tips for finding the perfect spot for your dog (and staying right-side-up) in a canoe, raft, kayak, and paddleboard. With a little practice, and a lot of balance, you and your dog can skim the water like pros.
Balancing In a Canoe
There are two things to remember when you are canoeing with your dog: traction and comfort. Traction keeps the dog comfortable and helps them stabilize. To help with traction, we recommend using dog boots, or providing boat floor traction with the Flophouse Foam Pad, a wet towel, or a re-purposed sleeping pad. A bed, towel or sleeping pad not only provides traction, but also helps insulate the dog from a hot or cold canoe floor, and allows them to rest when they tire from stabilizing themselves in the canoe.
Depending on your dog’s activity level and comfort inside the craft, there are two good positioning options for your dog. If you have a rail-jumper or an active dog that likes to move around, you may opt to put them between your legs in the narrow, front part of the canoe. This limits their ability to move around. If you have a more relaxed dog, you may want to put them in the belly of the canoe which makes for easier paddling, balance, and turning.
The best location for your dog can depend on their energy level. The belly of the boat is best for calm dogs, but more active dogs may be better suited for the front, narrow part of the canoe.
Balancing In a Raft
In a raft or other inflatable, the location of the dog is highly dependent on the way your gear is situated and where the oarsmen are located. You will want your dog away from the oars; either forward or aft of the oarsmen. It is important to provide traction for the dog, and to designate a spot for your dog on the raft via a foam pad, seat pad, or wet towel atop your icebox, ammo can, rocket box, or gear box. Also, be mindful of loose loops your dog could get tangled in if using a cargo net, and never tie your dog to the raft.
They are called the “dog days of summer”; namely because the Canis Major, or “Dog Star” is the closest to the sun and thought to be responsible for the heat. We at Ruff Wear, however, think the “dog days of summer” are named after the endless adventures you and your dog can have together as the days get longer and warmer.
In true spirit, we too are getting out more, enjoying the longer days, and taking more time off to spend with our dogs. So, if you notice our blog content is a little shorter, you’ll know why. After all, it’s a dog’s life—we are merely companions to enjoy it with them.
Live Dog!
The Ruff Wear Pack
As we get geared up in the U.S. for a long holiday season, we resurrect an oldie but goodie:
Camp Terms (as defined by dogs)
Camp spot: The exact spot the dog lays as you’re trying to set up.
Lantern: The device that is supposed to prevent you from tripping over the dog in the dark.
Tent: A portable outdoor home, of which the dog takes up the first 50 percent of the space, and tracks debris through the remaining 50 percent.
Camp fire: The device used to roast a perfect hot dog, which is inevitably snagged by dog as soon as it’s hot.
Pre-dawn Alarm Clock: “[Whine, howl, bark]”—in other words, “time to let the dog out to go to the bathroom.” Then the dog runs after a squirrel and a good 15 minutes is spent calling them back.
Sleeping bag: A.K.A. portable dog bed.
Marshmallow: Sticky-natured substance with properties especially attracted to dog hair.
Customer-submitted photo: Pete and Abby enjoy a canoe ride together.
1. Get your dog tired before he/she joins you in the canoe. A mellow dog is less likely to wander around, jump out, or tip the canoe.
2. Create a spot for them. Identify an area that you would like your dog to be and furnish it with their favorite blanket or bed.
3. A good place for the dog to sit is between your knees in the front, narrow part of the canoe. This gives them less space to move around.
4. If you are canoeing with your dog for the first time, you may consider bringing along an experienced canoe dog to help teach them protocol and model their behavior after.
5. The shore—not the canoe—is the best place to vent your dog’s energy. Allow them to run wild and expend their energy during shore stops.
At Ruff Wear, we are big believers in “Leave No Trace.” That goes quadruple for our four-legged friends. A general respect for other people, dogs, and the environment can go a long way towards securing future dog-friendly places. Here are a few canine water etiquette reminders to prevent your dog’s four paws from becoming “faux paws.”
1. Before setting out, evaluate your intended behavior and company. The more music, people, and pets, the more chaos for fellow recreators.
2. Remember, sound travels exceptionally well over water. Respect others’ right to peace and quiet, and keep barking at bay.
3. Following local leash laws will keep your dog out of danger and shows respect for other outdoors people. If dogs are allowed off-leash, make sure they are under voice command. Dogs see, hear, and smell more than we ever will; a leash can help redirect that energy.
4. Check ahead of dogs are allowed. Some areas consider dogs a nuisance to nature. There are plenty of other dog-friendly locations, so frequent those and use your voice to help promote responsible pet ownership and more dog-friendly recreational areas.
5. Don’t let your dog poop in the water. Dog owners who want acceptance from other paddlers should treat their dog’s waste according to the prevailing rules for human waste. If you are in a pack-it-out zone, then stow the dog’s waste with your own.
Otherwise, dig a cat hole and bury it deep. Remember to bury waste according to the local rules, usually 200 feet from the water edge.
