b'S IX S UP W ITH Y OUR P UPS AFETY T IPS .1. Keep your board in the housefor a week in an area your dogis comfortable.This will helpyour dog become accus-tomed to the board and tosee it asfun and safe. Letyour dog explore the board.2. After a few days, place a treatDANLOVES THEOUTDOORS ANDSPENDS on the board so that your dogAS MUCH TIME ENGAGING in activities outside as will walk on top of it topossible,likemountainbiking,rugbyandscubadiving. retrieve it. Once your dog isThree years ago, Dan noticed that while Loca, his Cocker on the board, offer anotherSpaniel, always seemed to be waiting patiently for him, she treat. Then ask your dog to sitwas raring to go once he returned home. A brisk walk just and give him another treat.wouldntsufficeforthisdog.Danresearchedoutdoor Do this periodically through-activities that the two of them would enjoy together, and out the day and keep thediscovered stand-up paddleboarding or SUP. energy light.Todays paddleboards, which resemble surfings long- 3. Have special commands forgetting on and off the board.boards, stretch up to 12 feet long. They are built more forbalance than speed, and are pretty easy to navigate. Give your dog a special com-mand for getting on the boardGliding across the waters of Tampa Bay sounded liketo get his treat and anothersomething Dan and Loca could easily get the hang of. Loca command to get off the boardwas just happy to be spending more time with her human. for a treat. Lengthen theDanfirsttestedLocasskillsontheirnewpaddleboard amount of time your dogwhilestandingontheshorelineofOld TampaBayin stays on the board beforeSafetyHarbor.Heencouragedhertoclimbontothe asking him to get off.board, and she willingly obliged. Then Dan began to slowly 4. Practice sitting, standing andpull the paddleboard around on the water. Within five min- paddling on the board with yourutes Loca looked like a pro, moving her body to correct dog.Once your dog is com-her balance on top of the board. fortable sitting on the board inDan knowingly kept their first outing short, and headed the right spot by himself, nowback to shore where Loca skillfully disembarked. As he practice sitting and standingpulled the board out of the water, Loca jumped back on, as on the board with him.if to indicate that she wanted to go one more round. They 5. Head to the water. Practicewere both hooked. the same steps with theOriginally from New York, Dan has been in Florida board close to the water orfor 25 years and doesnt miss the cold weather one bit. He slightly in the water. Gohas worked for the City of Clearwater for the past 10 years through steps 2-4 to makesure your dog responds theand Loca has been a part of his life for the same number same way in a different envi-of years. ronment. You may need toLoca appears very comfortable navigating the board practice this a few timeswhile Dan navigates the water. Occasionally, manatees will before you ever actually getswim by and she contemplates whether or not to jump in on the water. When you andafter them.your dog feel confident andRecently,twobabymanateesswambythepaddle- comfortable, give the water aboard and Loca couldnt resist what seemed like a playful try. Keep your first outinginvitation. As she jumped in, the calves swam to Loca and short and give your dog lotsstarted rolling her around. She was enjoying the playtime.of praise. Expect a few mis-I looked up and saw the calves mother a safe distance takes and a few wet tumbles. away, observing the activity. I think she knew her pups 6. It is highly recommended thatwerent in any danger. Eventually, I called Loca back onto your dog wear a Personalthe board, said Dan. As they headed back to shore, the Floatation Device (PFD) whilecalves re-appeared, swimming alongside them.stand-up paddling.This willThe paddleboard is Locas toy. I bought it for her. But ensure that your dog is safeshould he fall or jump in thewe both get to enjoy the experience, said Dan. U water or hits his head.www.TheNewBarker.com 25'