These days people aren’t the only ones wearing life-jackets. Head to a river or lake and there’s a good chance you’ll see someone out enjoying time on the water with a canine companion. And while it makes perfect sense to combine a love of outdoor adventure with a love for your pet, doing it in a canoe or kayak might not be as simple as you think. As Wild Side Guide Janet Ivey found out from longtime paddler (and bonafide dog-lover) Samantha Christen, there are a few things to consider before taking a dog along on your next paddling trip…like making sure your furry friend has their own life-jacket.
If you are interested in taking your dog paddling, here is a little checklist Samantha uses before she takes her dogs out on the water.
-PFD
-Leash
-Med kit with antihistamine, tea tree oil, lavender, vet wrap, wound balm
-Doggy treats & extra food
-Poop bags (plastic containers are great for storing waste)
-Towels (1 for the boat & 1 for the take out)
-Traction pad (to put under the deck bungees for dog to sit/stand on; car floor mats work well)
-Laminated copy of current rabies license
-Collar & ID tags
From show 3006