Gus is a true adventure dog.

Yes, he sleeps a lot, loves the comfort of his blankie, and is terrified of empty boxes.

But anytime we say “GO,” Gus is ready—even though he has no idea where we’re going. He loves to be with us, wherever we go, whatever we do.

That’s our Old English Bulldog.

How to Jet Ski with a Dog

Last year, we took Gus kayaking, and he loved it! (And doesn’t he look adorable in his life jacket?!)

This year, after buying a jet ski, we decided to take him for a ride. Our short-term rental in Apollo Beach seemed the perfect place to attempt this excursion, since the property is on a no wake zone canal.

The first—and surprisingly hardest—challenge was convincing Gus to step off our dock onto the floating dock. It was maybe a foot down, and Gus’ skepticism quickly turned to stubbornness. After a minute of coaxing and soothing, he finally stepped down—and his fear instantly disappeared.

The next challenge was getting Gus on the jet ski. My husband, John, pulled it up to the end of the floating dock, and I helped Gus step on the back. Unfortunately, he didn’t move his back legs fast enough before the jet ski pulled away.

Quickly, I pulled Gus back onto the dock. I could tell his anxiety was back, so we sat there while I gave his chest and ears a scratch to calm him down. That worked well enough to try again—this time on the side of the floating dock.

Success!

With Gus in the footwell of the jet ski, I climbed on the back and off we went.

Immediately, Gus calmed down. His wrinkled bulldog face shows every emotion, and he sat there, sniffing the breeze with a look of combined curiosity and contentment.

Outside in the sun with his people, he was loving every second of it.

We cruised around the canal for 20 minutes or so. At first, I gripped the handle of Gus’ life jacket, but eventually let go once I felt confident he wouldn’t jump or fall off.

It was a LOT easier getting him off the jet ski, too—even though I think he would’ve stayed on all afternoon.

Click here to watch a video of Gus on the jet ski!

Safety Tips for Your Dog on a Jet Ski

• Consider the size of your dog and the size of the jet ski. Large dogs, in general, may be difficult to fit, especially if you have a small jet ski. Ours is a 3-person craft, so we have more room. Plus, Gus is considered a medium-sized dog.
• Know your dog. If he or she isn’t a fan of water OR is too comfortable jumping into bodies of water, it may not be a wise idea. This also may not be ideal for dogs that won’t sit still for long periods of time or are too excitable when riding in anything that moves. Gus is very calm in the car, and he (usually) listens when we tell him to sit or lay down.
• Lower your expectations. Don’t force your dog to do anything they don’t want to do. Yes, we did coax Gus, but this also goes back to knowing your dog. If Gus had fallen in the water trying to get on the jet ski OR if our second onboarding attempt failed, we were prepared to stop trying.
• A doggy life jacket is a must. Even if your dog is a good swimmer, don’t take any chances. Put that pup in a life jacket made for dogs, preferably one with a handle. You might consider a bungee cord or leash as well. We did not use either and felt his life jacket handle was enough.
• Ride with two people. This is definitely a preference and based on your dog’s capabilities. If you are confident your dog will jump on and stay on with little to no help, a second person may not be necessary. Or, you may only need an extra person to help your dog on and off.
• Go slow. Your dog does not have the grip capacity of a human and will inevitably slide or fall off if you go too fast or make sharp turns. Even if you somehow latch your pup onto the jet ski, it won’t be a comfortable or safe experience. Save going fast for dog-free rides.
• Bring water and/or a treat. Even if you are surrounded by fresh water, having some on hand is always a good idea. A treat may also be handy if you need to quickly get your dog to listen and obey.
• Be mindful of time. Your dog may love it, but not for the same amount of time you might be comfortable riding. Don’t stray too far from your starting point—especially the first time—in case your dog decides they’ve had enough. You also don’t want them to overheat. Pay attention and be ready to cut the ride short if needed.

I’m grateful for these special memories with Gus! Would you ever try this with your own dog (if you have one)?