Northern Dancer
Survivalist
NOTE
This is in reference to the Commander's request about dog canoe training. If any of our Camping Babblers have other ideas - we would certainly welcome them.
ESCAPE CLAUSE It is understood that some dog breeds would not do well with canoe training. I tend to think that hunting and water dogs would be best - though I could be wrong.
THIS IS WHAT I DO You need to have a mat on the bottom of the canoe or boat - sometimes two. You can get bath mats cheap at the Dollar Store. Dogs get skittish and loose confidence when they can't stand without slipping. They don't like lying in a puddle of water either - that's why I always have a sponge as part of my canoe kit.
FIRST You need to familiarize you dog with the canoe; the canoe being on dry land. EXAMPLE - Reese, come. When he comes I take him around the canoe, in different directions a few times. Just a tiny bit playful. He needs to see the canoe as non - threatening and certainly sniff it out. THEN - Reese - in. He may not go the first time. Reese - in. He jumps in, sometimes with a bit of help, and I give him a treat. MAKE SURE THAT THE CANOE DOES NOT ROLL. Reese - out. He jumps out with a lot of praise from me. Reese - in. Reese - out and so on.
NEXT Reese - down. Don't try to accomplish every thing on the first day - make it a game and your dog will want to take part.
You do these exercises as often as you need to and are assured that your dog will do the command instantly. Lots of praise and some goodies at the beginning. Lose the goodies eventually. Do all this stuff before the trip.
WE ARE NEAR THE WATERYour dog needs to have a clear access into the canoe. Reese - in. Reese - down. Reese - out. At this time you are at the dock or shoreline - better a dock like situation for stability.
WE ARE NOT ON THE WATER BUT CLOSE TO SHORE - that's for your benefit.Reese - in. Reese - down. Out we go and paddle a bit. The next command is, Reese - up. Reese - sit. He should be in front of you. Reese - down. I had my dog go down every time we approached shore until I had confidence that he wasn't going to do anything dumb. Your dog must understand In, out, down and sit. If your dog violates any of those commands they need to hear an angry master but lots of praise when they do well.
It really doesn't take long but you must do it well from the beginning. Most of the commands are already known by your dog - we are simply applying them to a different situation.
THE TEST A small excursion of some sort to get a good idea how your dog is going to perform. It doesn't have to be a long one - it could be a jaunt in the bay. After that, you expand until, in my case - it was fabulous to have Reese as a companion. Sometimes he would stand at the bow like a ship's captain. He looked really great and I was really proud.
I do have a dog vest and a dog pack.
When you have this down - we need to talk about, "So, what happens if the canoe goes over [for whatever reason]?" And there are a few other situations to consider.
Looks great doesn't he?
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