Welcome to the So Cal Surf Dogs “Teach Your Dog To Surf”.
Yes, Dogs can Surf! With you, or by themselves!
Here you will get some basic information, tips and tools for learning how to surf with your best friend.
In following Chapters, we may refer to your male or female dog as ‘Surf Dog’ or ‘SurFUR’.
Surfing with your Surf Dog is not only great bonding experience between dog and owner, but it's also a great workout!
We’ve developed techniques that work and are very happy to share. (This is how you grow the sport!)
We've broken down the steps as simply as possible and have included photos of our Surf Dogs as examples. We are not dog trainers (although some of our members are).
We are not all Surfers (although a few of us are).
We are just dog owners who love to surf with our dogs.
In the following sections we will share our knowledge of how we learned to surf with our dogs.
We don't really 'teach dogs to surf'.
It's really about both the Owner and the Surf Dog learning to surf together!
We will offer ideas, tips and tools to use, while learning to surf together with your dog.
Learning to surf together is a great way to bond and in the process will nurture and build trust!
Not everything works for everybody and every surf dog. Some dogs are naturals and they teach us. For everybody else, it just takes implementing a few basic principles, lots of patience and the desire to have fun. If you find that some other technique works better for you, let us know and we’ll include it for others to try!
MAKE IT FUN!! (We will repeat this over and over again!)
Very, Very Important! If it's clear your Dog does not like the water or is afraid of the surfboard, Please do not force them! Not all dogs take to it! (But that does not mean you should not give it a try!) If they don't seem to like it, either back up and start slower or try another sport. There are so many other activities you can do together with your dog. However, if they love the water and jump up onto the surfboard on their own, there's nothing like watching them surf for the first time on their own!
You will also find links to other sites to get additional information on learning to surf with your Surf Dog and basic dog training.
Remember: Dogs are pack animals! They want to be with you! They want to do what you do! Include them in your daily life and activities!
If you don’t have a dog, adopt one from any of the thousands of shelters or rescue groups.
Don’t forget to spay or neuter your Surf Dog!
Have fun and be safe! ps: I would really value your thoughts and experiences with learning to surf with your dog. Whether you already surf with your dog or you’re new to the sport and will start surfing with your dog after going thru all the following chapters, let me know about your experiences! If you already surf with your dog, let me know if you have any ideas worth passing on to those who are new to the sport or if you have a different or better way to do anything we suggest! If you have not surfed with your dog, read thru all the chapters, surf with your surf dog a dozen times or so and then e-mail me and tell me about your experiences. What worked and what did not! Not all Surfers and Surf Dogs are the same. I would like our site to be the best resource for everyone who wants to surf with their dog! I value your support! Thanks Peter & Nani