Kayaking with your dog, 10.16.11

Saturday, October 15, 2011

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Jess Forte helps Zane into a life jacket for a class on kayaking with your dog. Jess Forte, a trainer at The Canine Center for Training and Behavior, teaches a class on kayaking with your dog at the Texas Rowing Center on Ladybird Lake.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Jess Forte helps Zane into a life jacket for a class on kayaking with your dog. Jess Forte, a trainer at The Canine Center for Training and Behavior, teaches a class on kayaking with your dog at the Texas Rowing Center on Ladybird Lake.

Story: Kayaking with your dog can be smooth sailing

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Heidi Hays stands ready with a paddle and her dog Olive at the Texas Rowing Center. Jess Forte, a trainer at The Canine Center for Training and Behavior, teaches a class on kayaking with your dog at the Texas Rowing Center on Ladybird Lake.

Story: Kayaking with your dog can be smooth sailing

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Jess Forte, a trainer at The Canine Center for Training and Behavior, teaches a class on kayaking with your dog at the Texas Rowing Center on Ladybird Lake.

Story: Kayaking with your dog can be smooth sailing

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Leslie Froeschile paddles out onto Ladybird Lake with her dog Zane on the front of the kayak. Yoga mats help the dogs keep their balance on the slick surface of the boat. Jess Forte, a trainer at The Canine Center for Training and Behavior, teaches a class on kayaking with your dog at the Texas Rowing Center on Ladybird Lake.

Story: Kayaking with your dog can be smooth sailing

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Sunny McMillan points out wildlife to Puppy D during a paddle on Ladybird Lake. Yoga mats help the dogs keep their balance on the slick surface of the boat. Jess Forte, a trainer at The Canine Center for Training and Behavior, teaches a class on kayaking with your dog at the Texas Rowing Center on Ladybird Lake.

Story: Kayaking with your dog can be smooth sailing

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Some dogs face their owners during the trip as they get used to the sensation of being on the water. Olive looks towards the other kayakers while keeping her body positioned towards her owner Heidi Hays. Jess Forte, a trainer at The Canine Center for Training and Behavior, teaches a class on kayaking with your dog at the Texas Rowing Center on Ladybird Lake.

Story: Kayaking with your dog can be smooth sailing

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Some dogs face their owners during the trip as they get used to the sensation of being on the water. Bear looks towards her owner Sandra Blakeway. Jess Forte, a trainer at The Canine Center for Training and Behavior, teaches a class on kayaking with your dog at the Texas Rowing Center on Ladybird Lake.

Story: Kayaking with your dog can be smooth sailing

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Leslie Froescile holds her dog Zane during a paddle trip on Ladybird Lake. Instructor Jess Forte explains that it sometimes takes several trips for dogs to become comfortable with their life jackets and the sensation of being on the water. Jess Forte, a trainer at The Canine Center for Training and Behavior, teaches a class on kayaking with your dog at the Texas Rowing Center on Ladybird Lake.

Story: Kayaking with your dog can be smooth sailing

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Leslie Froescile holds her dog Zane during a paddle trip on Ladybird Lake. Instructor Jess Forte explains that it sometimes takes several trips for dogs to become comfortable with their life jackets and the sensation of being on the water. Jess Forte, a trainer at The Canine Center for Training and Behavior, teaches a class on kayaking with your dog at the Texas Rowing Center on Ladybird Lake.

Story: Kayaking with your dog can be smooth sailing

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Sunny McMillan and Puppy D cruise on Ladybird Lake on Tuesday October 4, 2011. Jess Forte, a trainer at The Canine Center for Training and Behavior, teaches a class on kayaking with your dog at the Texas Rowing Center on Ladybird Lake.

Story: Kayaking with your dog can be smooth sailing

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Heidi Hays, left, and Sunny McMillan, right, wade into shallow water with Olive and Puppy D during a kayaking trip on Ladybird Lake on Tuesday October 4, 2011.

Story: Kayaking with your dog can be smooth sailing

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Kayaking with your dog can be smooth sailing.

Story: Kayaking with your dog can be smooth sailing

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Puppy D jumps back into the boat for the return trip home. Yoga mats and door mats make for good traction for wet paws on kayaks.

Story: Kayaking with your dog can be smooth sailing

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Olive looks for a treat from Heidi Hays during a kayaking trip on Ladybird Lake. Trainer Jess Forte encourages owners to use treats to entice their dogs onto the kayak and reward them for good behavior on the water.

Story: Kayaking with your dog can be smooth sailing

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Zane faces forward for the ride home on Ladybird Lake.

Story: Kayaking with your dog can be smooth sailing

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Sunny McMillan, left, tells Puppy D to stay until the kayak is close enough to the dock for him to jump out.

Story: Kayaking with your dog can be smooth sailing

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Puppy D waits on a stand-up paddle board for owner Sunny McMillan to take him home.

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(Julia Robinson FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN)

Heidi Hays walks with Olive to the Texas Rowing Dock for a class on kayaking with your dog with trainer Jess Forte on Tuesday October 4, 2011.

Story: Kayaking with your dog can be smooth sailing

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