3 Reasons Your Pup Needs a PFD Too!

By Maria Schultz, ACA SUP Instructor and author of How to SUP With Your PUP. Maria offers SUP classes in Fredericksburg, VA for humans and their fur babies. To sign up for a class, or if you have questions for Maria, please connect with her on Facebook.

Maria and her SUP pups, Kona and Riley. Maria is wearing an inflatable beltpack PFD. (Photo cred: Maria Christina Schultz.)

I've heard it so many times, "Dogs don't need life jackets... All dogs can swim!" I'm here to tell you, this is simply not true. 

While most dogs are good swimmers, some aren't as comfortable in the water as others. Certain breeds, like huskies for instance, prefer to stay as far away from water as possible. 

As an ACA SUP instructor and dog lover, I recommend that all dogs wear personal flotation devices, or PFDs, on the water. Let me try and convince you why!

(Photo cred: Maria Christina Schultz.)

Here are 3 reasons your pup needs a PFD as much as you do:

1. Dogs that love the water may exhaust themselves before they realize they are too tired to swim back to you. If you have a lab, you probably already know this. Some dogs just don't know when to stop! A doggie PFD will help a tired pup get back to shore.
2. If you get separated from your dog while on the water, a brightly colored PFD will help you and other boaters spot him. On a windy day, or on a river with current, you'd be surprised at hwo fast you can get separated from your dog and your boat. The PFD will give you some extra peace of mind, and the ability to see your dog from a farther distance.
3. If your dog falls overboard, getting him back on board by using the handle on the life jacket makes lifting him a whole lot easier. Whether it's a paddleboard, a kayak, or a canoe, the handle on your dog's life jacket is the easiest and safest way to get your dog back on board. 

Paddlesports are a great way to bond with your dog. Be safe out there with your pups, and we'll see you on the water!

Click here to purchase Maria's book, How to SUP With Your Pup.