Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Doggie Paddle :: Help, want to train puppies for canoe tripping
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mooseplums |
With Katie the command I use to get in is..."Lets go for a ride". getting out can be problematic. you don't want them jumping out as soon as you get to the landing. You want to get out first and stabilize the canoe. For Katie, I tell her to stay, then I get out and steady the canoe and tell her to get out. |
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SunCatcher |
I went to a local lake, put the pup in the canoe at the dock. We paddled close to shore in shallow water. The dog was scared shitless!!! I was just waiting to tip! :) much more difficult in an empty Kevlar canoe for sure! Loaded is much easier because of the ballast and more stable. I did this on numerous occasions. 3 or 4. Then I went to the same lake and practiced getting the dog to go into the canoe from the shore and out of the canoe from the shore. The command at home to go back in the kennel is "kennel up" so I used the SAME command. KENNEL UP mean get in the kennel or get in the canoe. They both figured that out. Get out Molly or Get out Karma was the command to get out of the canoe. after several trips, they both learned it well. Just what worked for me, I am no "Dog Wisperer" or anything :) SunCatcher |
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nofish |
What sort of foundation in basic obedience do they have? Do they know sit, stay, lay down, leave it? Do you have a command for "going to bed" or something similar? Really the first part of canoe training for a young dog with a lot of energy is a strong foundation in basic obedience. They need to know the commands and they need to listen to them and obey them when you give them. If all that is squared away then you can start moving to the canoe. First thing I'd do is put the canoe in the grass and teach the dog to get in and out. Have them get used to being in the canoe and teach them its a good place to be but praising and rewarding them when they are in it. Let them get used to how the canoe will tip side to side a little and praise and reward them as its happening. Once you are confident they aren't freaked out by the canoe then move to the water. Start with one dog and have it sit in front of the bow paddler where they can have control of the dog if need be. The bow paddler may not be paddling at first, if there isn't room due to the size of the dog then have them between the legs of the stern paddler. Either way just make sure that someone can have physical control of the dog if need be. Give them commands to lay down and stay and then praise them as they comply. Continue praising and rewarding the dog as long as it is doing what you want. Help them build the connection between laying down and being still in the canoe = good things will happen. Once you have worked with each dog one on one and are confident in their ability to be chill in the canoe then I'd start the process over but this time with both dogs. Start on dry ground and get them used to laying down where you want them. Then move to the water once you feel good about it. |
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labman |
Thank you all |
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Jaywalker |
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PinkCanoe |
Our trip down stream went well. We were surprised to find that our pup is afraid of water but it worked to our benefit because she did not have any interest in jumping from the canoe. Our trip was a success. We have also been working with her on packing her own food. She now knows when I pick up her backpack that she is going for a trail walk and behaves especially well in order to go. I am curious to know how your prep is going. We will be taking ours to BWCA this July. |
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Jaywalker |
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labman |
Thanks for any help folks. Labman |
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PinkCanoe |
I only have one dog and I'm about to put her in the canoe this upcoming Saturday for the first time. It will be interesting to see how your trip goes. Ours in July. |