If you own a dog, you know they’re a part of your family. You feed them, play with them, even pick up their poop, and in exchange, they love you unconditionally. You want to share your life experiences with your canine companion, so why not take them whitewater rafting? Many people also depend on support dogs for a variety of health concerns. Since health issues don’t stop on a raft, support dogs shouldn’t either.
However, whitewater rafting can be hazardous, with obstacles ranging from rocks to unpredictable water, and dogs aren’t immune to a river’s wrath. How can you keep your canine companions safe in these conditions?
Expose your dog to rafting slowly
Before going on a long trip, or taking on difficult rapids, practice helping your dog feel comfortable in the raft. Floating on calm waters for short periods of time will help introduce the feeling of the boat to your dog. Consider if you were in this situation and it was your first time floating on water. Kinda scary, huh?
Be realistic and put your dog’s wellbeing first
Some dogs are simply not going to be the giant river rats you’re hoping they’ll be. Even for dogs that love water, there are some levels of whitewater that are barely manageable for humans to explore, and if so, they are definitely too dangerous for a dog. Class 3 and 4 rapids are the general cutoff for a safe trip with your dog. Leaving your dog at home might mean they miss out on the experience of rafting with you, but a bored dog is better than an injured one.
Before a raft trip, exercise them so they’ll be less antsy
If I’m going on a long road trip with my dog, I’ll always go on a run with her before beginning the journey. It’s a win-win because she runs her energy out, sleeping the rest of the car ride, and I get to drive in peace without her attempting to be a 60 pound lap dog. The same ideology applies to whitewater rafting. Exercising your dog beforehand makes for a calmer, easier rafting trip.
Ensure you purchase a quality PFD
This is crucial. PFDs are essential to both humans and non-humans when it comes to whitewater rafting. In 2017, 84.5% of people who drowned during boating accidents weren’t wearing lifejackets. For dogs, a jacket with a handle on top is recommended so that it’s easier to pull them out of the water if they’ve fallen out of a raft.
Brands that sell quality dog PFDs:
NRS
Kong Sport Aqua Pro
Outward Hound
Paws Aboard
Astral
Stohlquist
Triad River Tours sells NRS dog PFDs that you can find here.
Educate yourself before hitting the rapids
It’s easy to get ahead of yourself when faced with the excitement of taking your dog on a rafting trip. Understand the etiquette of taking a dog with you into the wilderness. Make sure that everyone accompanying you on the trip knows that your dog is coming too and include your dog in a headcount so the raft isn’t too crowded. Most importantly, do not tie your dog to the boat. For the sake of avoiding getting too graphic, I’ll just say it’s very dangerous to be tethered to a raft.
Bring a First Aid Kit
A first aid kit is handy if your canine friend gets hurt on the river. Gauze, cotton balls, a towel, and Vetericyn antimicrobial hydrogel are basic additions to a first aid kit for dogs. Vetericyn is a miracle product as it treats most sores, allergic reactions, rashes or cuts so you won’t have to pack separate products to prepare for each issue. Also, if accidentally consumed, it won’t cause harm to your dog. Rain ponchos are also recommended gear to pack in the first aid kit if the day offers more rain than sun.
At the end of the trip, check your dog for ticks and places where they might have been banged up. Give them lots of treats and hugs because whitewater rafting is no small feat for a dog!
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/pet-therapy/art-20046342
https://www.thehonestkitchen.com/blog/water-dogs-rafting-and-floating-safety/
http://www.kentuckymonthly.com/explore/field-notes/pfds-save-lives-%E2%80%A6-when-they-are-worn/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-first-aid-kit-essentials/
