Teaching Your Dog How to Skateboard
For many dog lovers, teaching our dogs to walk by our side or to sit on command is difficult enough. However, people had other plans for their dog; they introduced it to skateboarding. Teaching your dog to skateboard can be conducted at home. All you need is some dog treats, a little time, and patients, and your dog will be skating in no time.
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Can My Dog Handle the Skate Life?
However, before your dog joins the lifestyle, you should ask, "should my dog be skateboarding?" Not every dog physically can. For example, look at your dog's body; only some dogs are built to handle the skating lifestyle. A perfect example is that your dog might not be physically proportionate to a skateboard, or your dog could be too small to skate. An example could be that a dog, like a dachshund, may have too short legs for the board. Or a dog like a Great Dane may be too large for any board you may buy. Overall, check the board, the dog size, and if it is possible before you spend days training your dog.
Another important thing you need to consider is whether your dog is physically and mentally healthy enough to handle the skating lifestyle. For example, a dog, like a pug or any dog with a short snout, may be too physically demanding for the dog to skate. So, check with a vet before considering the lifestyle of your dog.
Introducing Your Pup to the Board
But if your dog is good to go for the skating style, then first and foremost, find the board you will use with your dog. It should be a comfortable board for your dog to ride. Once you get your board, get your dog comfortable being around the board. One could encourage the dog to be around the board using treats, toys, and encouragement. According to professionals, leaving the treat or toy near the board may encourage your dog to naturally go to the board.
Once your dog is comfortable around the board, try to attract them to go on the board. When doing so, hold the board since board movement may be scary to dogs. But it's crucial in this step that the board should be something that the dog finds normal and is seen as fun to go on.
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Getting Your Dog Rolling
Once the dog is comfortable with the board, you should start initiating movements with the dog and the board. In this step, you need to train the dog that movement on the board is fun and not scary. This will be the most challenging part of the process since a moving skateboard is not natural for them. So, introducing and praising that they stay on a moving skateboard will be good. Do not scold them if they leave the board, but rather let them move at their own pace on being comfortable.
Lastly, once they are comfortable being on the board. Then initiate them to move on their own. If they start to praise them for doing so. Introduce treats to them and encouragement. Praising them will train them that moving the board is positive, and they will want to do it more.
Once your dog is up and skateboarding, ensure they are safe. Use a leash on them so they do not go far. Also, work in balance so they do not fall. Then if your dog becomes a pro, find a helmet and elbow pads that fit, so they never get injured.
