Chris and Q the Golden Retriever

BaDing! My email goes off.

I check the online questionnaire that’s provided with the SUPDog reservation and I meet Chris and Lisa, an Air Force couple fairly new to Hawaii. They’re super excited about discovering SupDog as they had seen the five star review that Mellisa had left me on Facebook, and immediately knew their 3 year old golden retriever would love to become a SupDog too! His name is Q, he’s 75 lbs, he can sorta swim, but he’s not proven for long distances.

One of my favorite activities SupDog requires for pups is swimming. Most parents aren’t even aware that their dog has natural swimming skills. Dog’s genetics are hardwired for swimming, but this doesn’t mean that all dogs are amazing swimmers. It just means that most dogs know how to swim, but aren’t very well versed in the art. It’s always so fun watching pups practice swimming, and seeing the excitement parents experience from all the new action in the water. Q turns out to be a natural.

I arrive at Kaimana’s beach on a sunny Saturday afternoon. I meet up with Chris and Q, and become pleasantly surprised that Q has his entire family here with him! Mom, dad, uncle and cousins are all here to see him evolve into a SupDog. And to ensure his safety out on the water they’ve brought some extra stand up paddle boards too. We all become acquainted as I go over several goals for our lesson.

I start by ensuring that the treats I have from Calvin & Susie for Q are acceptable for his diet, which Chris confirms. Then, I introduce myself to Q. I kneel down, get on his level, speak in a sweet and engaging tone and go through a series of treat commands with him. Chris shows me that he can sit, high five, do a circle to the left, and lay down! It’s a great first meeting with Q as he gets to know me, my voice, and my treats.

Then we go find a nice spot on the beach near the water. Ive brought two SUP boards from Blue Planet Surf for Chris and Q to try. But first we have to see if Q likes the water, and if he can swim or not. Chris and I put his RuffWear life vest on, and I ask permission to hold his leash as I walk him down to the water. He’s stoked! Immediately he wants to full send it into the ocean, but not so fast. We graze the shoreline, as I pick up my tempo to a slow jog. Im trying to get his heart rate up a bit before we start swimming. Overall, SupDog is a definitely a good workout for the pups.

Now it’s time for full send, we barrel straight into the shallows. Q’s instincts kick in, literally, as his paws start rotating h20 underneath him. He’s moving, head up, tail down chugging along. I’ve got one hand placed underneath his chest to prevent any slip ups. He swims outwards for ten seconds, turns round and swims back to shore. Great start.

Back on the beach, I show Q the Stand Up Paddle board. I walk him over the board a couple times and then do the same commands for him to sit and stay on the SUP. We do this a few times, he responds readily. I take the board to the shoreline, and place the SUP in the Water. Q is nipping at my heels, ready for the plunge! He places one paw on the board, then two. I help him up with his hind legs and BAM! Suddenly my very first online reservation, Q the golden retriever, is now a SUPDOG.

Tyler