How to Train Your Dog to Packraft, SUP, or Kayak
Boat Dog Training: Teaching Your Dog to Go Packrafting, Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or Kayaking
We regularly bring our two dogs on our rafting and packrafting adventures. We’ve been boating together for years, but I have to admit, we didn’t initially approach it in the most savvy or training-oriented way. We just started taking them and figured it out as we went. This worked out okay, but at some point, one of my dogs developed anxieties about the rafts. After that, we decided to backtrack and redo our boat training with more structure and intention. Because of my dog’s anxieties, I added a few extra steps to our process (compared to other training guides I found online) centered around desensitization. I really took my time with this process. Note that although we specifically used this training for packrafting, the same steps can be applied to training for a stand up paddle board (SUP), kayak, or even a full-sized raft.
1. Get the Basic Commands Down
Before incorporating the boats into training, we need to ensure our dogs already know the basic commands we’ll be using later. The main commands we use in our boats are “sit,” “down,” and “stay.” Our dogs also use a “load up” command to get into the boats and a release command (for us, it’s “okay!” but if I were starting over, I would use “break!”) when they’re free to exit the boats.
Alternatively, some people use the “place” command in watercraft training instead of “down-stay.” They teach their dogs to “place” on a specific object, like a dog bed or mat, and then slowly move the “place” object onto the watercraft. “Place” is often trained so that a dog can be in any position as long as they remain on their “place” object. For example, if a dog’s “place” object is a specific dog bed, the dog can be sitting, lying, or standing, as long as they are on that bed. Often, a dog’s “place” is intended to be their safe spot or chill zone, which could be a benefit of incorporating “place” into boat training.
However, in the packrafts, we want our dog’s default position to be “down,” because this is the most stable position, which is why we trained “down-stay” instead of “place.” On other watercraft, such as a SUP, it might make sense for a dog to stand or sit instead of always lying down.
Regardless of what commands you intend to use, ensure your dog knows them well before practicing those commands on the boat. You don’t want your dog’s first interaction with the watercraft to be more confusing, frustrating, or overwhelming than it needs to be.
2. Desensitize and Build a Positive Association
Next, before I started practicing commands in the boat, I wanted my dogs to become familiar with the boat, paddle, and life jackets. In this step, my ultimate goal was for my dogs to not only become desensitized to these objects but to also build positive association with them. This step was especially important for my dog who had already developed some anxiety about the boat.
I inflated my packraft in our living room (somewhere familiar and comfortable) and I let the dogs check it out. I repeatedly dropped high value treats into the raft and let the dogs eat out of it. Then, I sat in the packraft and encouraged them to get in and out. “Load up” was the only command I ended up using in this step, but I didn’t ask my dogs to do anything specific once they were in the boat. Each time the dogs stepped into the boat I gave them plenty of treats and praise. One of my dogs loves affection, so I encouraged her to just sit with me in the boat while I pet her. Alternatively, if your dog loves toys, you can use a favorite toy instead of treats for this step. Once my dogs seemed comfortable around the boat, I put on their life jackets, brought out the paddle, and repeated some of these steps.
Note that if your dog is overly excitable, you might opt to tone down this step by reducing the level of praise and focusing more on calmness and neutrality around the watercraft. Because I was trying to unravel my dog’s existing anxiety, I didn’t rush this step and repeated many short sessions over several weeks. However, you can tailor this timeline to your own needs.
3. Practice on Dry Land
Next, practice your commands on the watercraft, but on dry land. We opted to first practice this step somewhere familiar and comfortable. Then, after my dogs got the hang of it, we moved outside to a park where there were more distractions.
First, I again inflated my packraft in my living room. I had my dogs “load up” into the packraft, then “down-stay.” I slowly increased the amount of time I asked them to “stay.” After they were comfortable with a long “down-stay,” I asked them to “down-stay” while I rocked the packraft, moved it around, and got in and out of it. After they became comfortable with this, I put my dogs’ life jackets on and used the paddle to practice paddling motions over the top of them while they “down-stayed” in the boat. Once my dogs were proficient at all of this in our living room, we moved our practice sessions outdoors to a park, where there were distractions, like other dogs.
Again, practice the commands that you plan to use while on your watercraft. “Down-stay” might not be your choice; it might be “sit-stay” or just “stay.” If you are using the “place” command, this is the step where you would move the dog’s “place” object onto your watercraft and have your dog practice “place” on it. If you plan to SUP with your dog, you might try to get your dog in the habit of centering on the paddleboard, as this will be the most stable position.
You can tailor this step to your own training needs, and you can base your timeline on your dog’s comfort level with the watercraft. We patiently practiced this step in multiple short sessions over several weeks.
4. Get on the Water; Start Somewhere Safe
After your dog is confident with the above steps, it’s time to get on the water. Balancing on the watercraft while floating will be an entirely new experience for your dog. They might take to it quickly, or they might find it scary. It’s very important to first practice in calm, safe water such as the shallow end of a lake. This is in contrast to starting somewhere like a fast-moving river, where your watercraft will be rocking, and there might be hazards and obstacles to avoid, which could be overwhelming or dangerous for you or your dog at first.
Find a safe spot on the water and practice the same commands as in the previous step. Don’t forget to put on your life jackets! You might start by standing in shallow water and holding the watercraft steady for your dog so it feels more stable at first. Have them load up, sit, down, stay, etc. As always, use high-value rewards for your dog, like their favorite treats, and focus on making it a positive experience. If you’re paddleboarding, it’s recommended that you kneel with your dog at first, rather than standing, for added stability.
If you plan on upping your adventure (for example, taking your dog on river floats or into open water), ease into it as you build trust and confidence with your dog. You really want to be sure your dog is going to listen to important commands while you’re on the water. If your dog tries to bail and tips you in a dangerous spot, like near a log jam, it could have serious consequences.
5. Practice Getting Back On
Honestly, my goal while rafting and packrafting with my dogs is to never unintentionally end up in the water. There are too many hazards on our local rivers, such as log jams and strong currents, to gamble with unplanned swims. This is why we so adamantly train “down-stay” in the packrafts, and why we never give release commands until we’re on shore. However, I understand that others’ goals for boating with their dogs might be different. If you’re going for chill SUP sessions on flatwater, you might allow your dog to jump off the SUP for a swim. Either way, it’s a good idea to practice the critical skill of getting both you and your dog back onto your watercraft while in a controlled setting.
6. Safety
Life Jackets: Always ensure that both you and your dog are wearing properly fitted life jackets. Life jackets are especially important on small, tippable watercraft like paddleboards, packrafts, and kayaks, where capsizing is more likely. A life jacket will help keep you and your dog afloat in strong river currents or if either of you becomes tired while swimming in open water.
Hazards: Know how to recognize and avoid hazards on the water. Some common hazards include log jams/strainers, sweepers, high flows, low head dams, rapids, holes, sieves, toxic algae, and cold water temperatures.
Plan Ahead: Research where you’re floating and know what to expect.
Boating with your dog is a rewarding adventure that strengthens your bond and creates lasting memories. With intentional training, patience, and proper safety precautions, you and your dog can confidently navigate the water together. Happy adventures!
About the Author
Hi, I’m Halie! I’m a passionate outdoorswoman, dog lover, and casual content creator currently residing in Missoula, Montana. I spend as much time as possible on the water or in the mountains with my two mutts, Lennie and Teddy (the Fishing Mutts) and my partner, Cole. Fly fishing - from chasing alpine trout in the summer to swinging flies for winter steelhead - backpacking, rafting, and packrafting are a few of our favorite pursuits. Further, I’m passionate about conservation and responsible recreation because I believe the aforementioned activities depend on it. I grew up in southwest Missouri, and have also lived in Washington State and Utah, where I worked as a park ranger at Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. My current “day job” is in the field of environmental compliance. Thanks for checking out my site!