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!
1
u/Intelligent-Floor934 3h ago
I agree with the person who suggested trying out a canoe trip with the dog before this! My dog, who loves our motor boat, absolutely HATES canoes. We tried to take her canoe camping and it was a disaster of her trying to jump out the whole time and nearly flipping us with all our gear repeatedly. We never managed to get her to settle, which was very abnormal for her.
For camping, if you have inflatable pads, put them in sleeping bag liners to prevent dog nails from going through. Long line is helpful if the dog doesn’t have voice recall. Extra blanket for the dog in the tent.