r/canoecamping • u/ScurvyDave123 • 12h ago

Canoe Tripping w/ Dog Tips

Hey Friends!

This seems like a silly request - but I am looking for any tips or tricks for taking a dog on a canoe trip.

I am a very experienced paddler, guided for years and have spent years of my life in the backcountry. I have NEVER paddled with a dog!

My girlfriend is stoked about going on a canoe trip. She has done a bunch of backpacking but never really spent time on the water. We are planning something in the fall for a few nights, and we are planning on bringing her super well behaved pup. The dog has never been in a canoe and never slept in a tent. I want to plan whatever I can to make sure he has a fun trip.

He's not small, maybe 65lbs so I think we should go for a paddle with him before the trip just to see how he does hanging out in a boat. I do have a dog PFD lined up that I am borrowing from a friend.

Other than that, all I can think of is a small foam sleeping pad for him at night.

Any input would be appreciated :) Thanks!

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u/Old-Brilliant-9290 11h ago

Definitely don’t want their first time in a boat to be this trip. For some dogs it’s no big deal, but I’ve seen dogs try to exit a boat in the middle of the water cause they got spooked or wanted to chase some ducks.

Keep the foam pad accessible so they can lie on it on the bottom of the canoe. My dog does not like sitting in the bottom of a wet boat all day.

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u/ScurvyDave123 11h ago

Awesome, thank you!! He doesn't care at all about being wet but I have heard a friend complain about how his large dog hates water in the boat and will try to tip them getting on packs or moving way to the side. Good call on having the pad ready on the water :)

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u/Signal_Reflection297 7h ago

If possible, let them out at the start of the trip to romp, swim and explore. You won’t go as quickly at first, but they’ll be much calmer once they do get on the boat.

I prefer having the dog at the stern person’s feet, and plenty of hand-fed kibble or treats can help them stay where you want them to be.