· By Michael Schmidt
SUP with Your Dog: Tips for Paddling with Your Four-Legged Friend
There are good days on the water, and then there are days when your dog is on the board with you. If you haven't tried stand-up paddling with your dog yet, you're missing out on one of the best combinations in outdoor recreation. Most dogs take to it faster than you'd expect — and the photos are hard to beat.
Here's everything you need to know to make it work safely and enjoyably for both of you.
Getting Your Dog Used to the Board — Before You Hit the Water
The biggest mistake first-timers make is putting their dog straight on a board in the middle of a lake. Set yourself up for success by introducing the board at home first.
- Let your dog sniff and explore the board on dry land. Leave it on the floor and let them investigate at their own pace. Reward any interaction with treats.
- Get them comfortable standing on it. Place the board on the grass and encourage your dog to step on and stand still. Reward calm behaviour.
- Introduce gentle movement. Once they're relaxed on the board, gently rock it side to side. This prepares them for the instability of water.
- First session: shallow, calm water. Start somewhere your dog can touch the bottom — a gentle lakeshore or shallow river bank. Keep the first session short and positive.
Some dogs are natural water lovers and will hop on board from day one. Others need a few sessions to build confidence. Both are fine — follow your dog's lead.
Safety First — What Your Dog Needs
Dog life jacket (PFD)
Even strong swimmers should wear a canine PFD on open water. Dogs can get disoriented after an unexpected fall, and a life jacket with a top handle means you can lift them straight back onto the board. Look for a snug fit with a secure clip.
Dog-friendly sun protection
Light-coloured dogs with thin coats can sunburn on the nose, ears, and belly. Use a pet-safe, zinc-free sunscreen on exposed areas.
Fresh water and a bowl
Dogs on the water work harder than they look and can get dehydrated quickly. Bring enough fresh water and offer it regularly — don't let them drink from the lake.
Your leash
Keep your SUP leash attached to you at all times. If you both go in, you want to be connected to your board so you can use it to get your dog back on safely.
Choosing the Right Board and Fin
Dog SUP demands stability above everything else. A wide, all-round or touring inflatable board (at least 32 inches wide) is ideal — the more volume the better. Narrower race boards are a bad idea with a dog on board.
For the fin, choose a touring fin — its longer, more upright profile gives you better straight-line tracking, which matters a lot when your balance point is being constantly shifted by a dog moving around. A stable, predictable board makes the whole session easier for both of you.
Where to Position Your Dog on the Board
Most dogs naturally gravitate towards the front of the board. This actually works well — it keeps the weight forward, which helps with tracking, and lets your dog see where you're going.
The key is to have your dog sit or lie down, not stand. A sitting or lying dog has a much lower centre of gravity, which makes the whole system more stable. Reward calm, settled behaviour with treats and praise.
If your dog can't stop moving around, they might simply need more sessions to feel comfortable. Don't force it — a nervous dog will make every session harder.
Commands That Help
Two commands make a big difference on the water:
- "Stay" or "Sit": Keeps your dog still when you need to focus on a paddle stroke or a tricky section.
- "Middle" or a chosen spot command: Teaches your dog to return to a specific position on the board, which is useful after they shuffle around.
Practice these on dry land before applying them on the water. The board isn't the place to teach new commands from scratch.
What to Bring
- Dog PFD (life jacket with a top handle)
- Fresh water and a collapsible bowl
- Treats for reinforcing calm behaviour
- Towel for the dog (and you)
- Dog-safe sunscreen for exposed skin
- Poop bags — leave the lake clean
Best Calm-Water Spots near Munich for Dog SUP
The lakes around Munich are ideal for dog SUP — calm water, gentle shores for easy entry and exit, and plenty of space to paddle without crowds (on weekday mornings especially).
Wörthsee — Small, calm, and easy to navigate. The quiet water and compact size make it ideal for a first session with your dog. Start near the Roßschwemme entry point.
Ammersee — Bigger water with more room to explore. Walk-friendly shores make entry and exit easy. Five minutes from the S-Bahn, so no car needed.
Starnberger See — Great if your dog is already confident on the board and you want a longer tour. Start from SUP Club Starnberger See and head south.
For more lake options, see our full guide to the best SUP spots around Munich.
One Final Tip
The first time your dog falls off the board — and they will — don't panic. Stay calm, paddle over to them, and guide them to the back of the board. Most boards have a handle or kick pad at the tail that a dog can use to pull themselves up. Practice the re-boarding process at the shore before heading out, so you both know what to do when it happens.
After a few sessions, paddling with your dog will feel completely natural. Just don't be surprised when going out without them starts to feel a bit lonely.
Further Reading
- Stand-Up Paddling for Beginners
- Top 7 SUP Places Around Munich
- Stand-Up Paddleboarding in Germany and Bavaria
Shop at Eisbach Riders
Stable tracking is especially important when paddling with a dog. A good touring fin keeps the board predictable in open water. Browse SUP fins for your board system.