Paddleboarding with your dog is peak wholesome: sunshine, slow cruising, and your pup living like the main character. It can also turn into a surprise swim workout if you skip the intro steps. Here’s how to do it the low-drama way. Step 1: Introduce the board on land Before you even hit the water, set the board on grass or sand. Let your dog sniff it, hop on, and find their “spot.” Reward calm behavior with treats. You’re building the idea that the board = good vibes. Step 2: Gear up for safety A dog PFD with a handle is huge. If your pup decides to bail, that handle helps you lift them back on without doing a full CrossFit clean-and-jerk. Also: keep your own leash situation simple. Many paddlers avoid attaching the dog to the board—if the dog jumps off, things can get tangled fast. Safer move: you wear the leash to stay connected to the board, and let the dog swim free with their PFD when needed. Step 3: Start in calm, shallow water Begin kneeling. Paddle a few strokes, stop, reward. Keep sessions short at first—5 to 10 minutes is plenty. Your goal is to end while your dog is still stoked, not stressed. Step 4: Placement matters Most dogs do best up front, near the nose, lying down. If they stand and shuffle, your board will wobble. A grippy deck (often found on foam or beginner-friendly boards) helps paws stay planted. Three practical tips for dog-SUP success: • Teach “place” and “down” on the board before you go farther from shore. • Bring water and take breaks. Dogs overheat faster than we do. • Expect the jump. Practice dropping to your knees quickly when your dog goes full “squirrel!” Once your dog learns the routine, it’s ridiculously fun. You’ll get exercise, they’ll get an adventure, and everyone at the beach will be like, “That’s totally rad.” Because it is.