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Q. How do I schedule a kayaking session
for my dog |
A. Check the kayaking schedule, pick a
date & time, email us at
smartydog1@aol.com
Send us the following information: Your
name, kayaking experience, dogs breed, age
and weight.
|
| Q. Where do you kayak? |
A. We kayak at a location near
I-91 in Meriden. (The are no jet skis
or gas engine boats allowed on the lake)
|
| Q. I don't have a kayak. |
A. Don't worry we provide the kayak,
paddle and lifejackets for you and your dog.
|
| Q. I have heard that in order to kayak
you need to learn how to roll a kayak. |
A. Our kayak fleet is made up of very
stable recreation kayaks specifically chosen
to kayak with dogs. These kayaks are
not the type of kayaks that you need to
learn to roll.
|
| Q. Is this a group kayaking class
? |
A. We provide instruction & supervision,
you are free to kayak the lake with your
dog. We will email you instructions
when you sign up. When you arrive we
will set you up with the appropriate
equipment for you and your dog. We then give
you instructions specific to you & your dog
and answer any questions that you may have,
then you are free to kayak the lake with
your dog. Instructors are out on the
water if you have questions or need
assistance.
|
| Q. What do I have to bring? |
A. We recommend sunscreen, a hat,
clothes that dry easily and water shoes or
footwear that is secure and you don't mind
if they get wet. If you wear glasses
you may want to bring your spare glasses to
use or put croakies on your glasses to keep
them from falling in the water. ( they can't
swim ). You may also wish to bring a
disposable water camera, though we usually
have a camera with us.
Kayaking
supplies available
on Amazon.com
|
| Q. I have never kayaked before what
should I do? |
A. We recommend that people who
are not familiar with kayaking take one
kayaking session without their dog to learn
how to paddle and turn the boat prior to
kayaking with your dog. Your dog's
safety depends on your ability to manage the
kayak.
|
| Q. How much kayaking experience do I
need? |
A. You should be comfortable
paddling the kayak and have the ability to
change directions quickly. This is
necessary in the event the dog leaves the
kayak and you have to go get him. If you do
not have any kayaking experience we
recommend that you have one session without
your dog.
|
| Q. My husband and I would like to do
this together do we each have to have a dog? |
A. You may reserve 2 kayaks even
if you only have one dog. ( you may also
reserve 2 kayaks for 2 dogs )
|
| Q. My dog hates the water I don't think
we can kayak. |
A. If your dog hates the water he
will probably stay in the boat, making
kayaking a little easier
|
| Q. My dog loves the water I don't think
he will stay in a boat. |
A. Most dogs will stay in the
kayak, if yours won't your dog can swim
beside the kayak until he becomes tired,
then he can learn to ride in the boat.
|
| Q. I am worried because my dog
can't swim |
A. We have life jackets that will
fit your dog
|
| Q. Do I have to wear a life jacket I am
a good swimmer |
A. Yes, we require life jackets.
|
| Q. Can't I just come with my kayak ? |
A. We have a fleet of kayaks that are
particularly stable and well suited to
kayaking with dogs. Not all kayaks are
stable enough to kayak with a dog.
|
| Q. Can you teach my dog to swim ? |
A. The three lessons we focus on
are...
Lesson 1: teaching your dog to ride in the
kayak with you .
Lesson two: teaching your dog to swim
beside the kayak.
Lesson three: teaching you how to get
the dog in and out of the kayak.
Sometimes we can achieve these lessons in
one session, sometimes it may take 2 or 3
sessions. It is best to let the dog
learn as they are ready
|
| Q. I'd like to kayak with both of my
dogs |
A. We can allow this if both dogs
have kayaked and have acceptable skills and
fall within kayaks weight limits.
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