[ahud]

My wife and I kayak a lot. Part of the appeal of the Boykin was taking him along with us. I'm going to introduce him to the kayak on water this week. Should I just put him in and make him sit with a leash on so he can't jump out? Then space out treats while I paddle around the pond?

He has been introduced to the kayak on land. I have let him climb in. Made him sit inside and treated him. No fear of the boat and he jumps right in now.

I mainly want to get him used to the boat and get him to understand to not jump out and to sit calmly.


Any tips?

 

[hogleg]

My old lab loved boats. She would chase you when you left so it was easy to get her in. The canoe and kayak took a little more time for her to trust them due to the rocking and motion versus a larger boat. If the OB is strong, get him to load and sit, then drag it around in the shallows, move to getting in and having the dog load and paddle around near land where it's not a big deal if he bails.

Start with strong OB then go slow with the moving kayak and before you know it the dog will be itching to go kayaking. Post pics.

 

[Boykin]

Just leash him up and make sure he can't jump out, then put him in between your legs where he can see everything but not get hit by your paddle. My Boykins used to kyak with me all the time, when I had water.

 

[Doug Burt]

I have created a non skid pad behind me for my Boykin. She jumps in or falls in all the time when we are out! It's all part of the fun for us!

 

[DarrinGreene]

Give him good footing and if it were me - I would have a very solid down/stay. Done it 1,000 times hunting.

 

[mikehmike]

Man I've wanted to bring my pup on my fishing kayak for months now but never pulled the trigger. I have a hobie so it's stable as all get out but it's powered by your feet not a paddle...kind of hard to figure out how to get the puppy in there.

My fear in a standard sit in kayak would be tipping that thing over when the pup gets crazy etc...lol that would be a pain to get back in while controlling a swimming dog as well.

 

[crackerd]

He has been introduced to the kayak on land. I have let him climb in. Made him sit inside and treated him. No fear of the boat and he jumps right in now. ...

I mainly want to get him used to the boat and get him to understand to not jump out and to sit calmly.

Aaron, also be aware that your "Little Dog that Doesn't Rock the Boat" may be asked to jump out of a boat and into the water at hunt tests (both AKC and NAHRA - don't know about HRC). So don't "go overboard" with your obedience in demanding that he's never supposed to leave the boat once he's in it, especially with a kayak or upcountry pirogue.

Also, Boykins being the tough little mudders that they are, sometimes they're apt to act as their own kayak on a retrieve.

MG

 

[ahud]

Man I've wanted to bring my pup on my fishing kayak for months now but never pulled the trigger. I have a hobie so it's stable as all get out but it's powered by your feet not a paddle...kind of hard to figure out how to get the puppy in there.

My fear in a standard sit in kayak would be tipping that thing over when the pup gets crazy etc...lol that would be a pain to get back in while controlling a swimming dog as well.

I have a wider boat for just playing around that is pretty stable. I don't think he could flip it (hes about 22 pounds now). Now I would not be as comfortable with a chessie pup!

I have thought about those hobbie boats. I would love to paddle that area around Oregon inlet in OBX. I always see kayaks out there, but I never took my boat. I wish those Gheenoe were not so pricey. Those things are sweet and would be awesome to buzz around in.

 

[ahud]

Aaron, also be aware that your "Little Dog that Doesn't Rock the Boat" may be asked to jump out of a boat and into the water at hunt tests (both AKC and NAHRA - don't know about HRC). So don't "go overboard" with your obedience in demanding that he's never supposed to leave the boat once he's in it, especially with a kayak or upcountry pirogue.

Also, Boykins being the tough little mudders that they are, sometimes they're apt to act as their own kayak on a retrieve.

MG

Good point. I'll just take him and see how it goes. We can work on sit/release just like we do on the ground. I'll keep it fun.

Henry (My pup) is teething and wants to pickup bumpers by the string. I got some of the soft bumpers that Hillman uses, but he does not want to grip those right either. Looking for some other stuff to do until his teeth give him a break. He was doing awesome until the teething.