You and your dog! It’s been a while since we’ve brought you some four legged action, and there’s nothing more fun than watching a big slobbery dog go surfing. So here’s a fun little video of a Labrador and a Pug on stand up paddle boards.

Taking your dog with you on a SUP is great fun and not only a challenge, but a great learning exercise in balance, coordination and of course dog training. While some pups won’t go within 20ft of a stand up paddle board, unless it’s laden with treats, others are naturals and take to sitting on the nose like a duck to water. Here’s some tips from Chris De-Aboitiz, dog surfing champion from Noosa, about how to get your pup on the water with you.

- Start with your board on the sand, because you need to get your dog comfortable with sitting on the board itself.

- Teach them to stay on the nose. Distractions are a plenty, but your dog needs to stay where they’re safest.
 
- Once your dog is comfortable sitting on the nose progress to flat water for short runs. To reward your pup, head back to the beach for some stick throwing action.

- Do this for several weeks, until your dog is completely at ease in flat water for long periods of time. Then progress to small waves to begin the real fun!

- Use lots of positive reinforcement, consider a doggy life jacket which makes picking your dog up after a crash easier, and always move at your dogs pace, not your own!

Check out the video below and next time you head to the beach, consider bringing the dog with you!

#News #StandUpPaddle #Surfing