Pups and Sups Gold Coast competition helps feisty dogs chill out

LITTLE Arnie goes barking mad for other dogs – but there’s one thing that calms him down. And next week hundreds of other happy hounds will be trying the trick too

LITTLE Arnie might not be barking mad about other dogs, but he sure loves stand up paddle boarding.

Or at least, that what his owner Megan Joslin thinks.

It’s the only way to quieten the feisty Chihuahua cross Pomeranian, who barks when he sees other dogs out and about.

“He’s not very social, but once he’s on the board he doesn’t bark at the other dogs,” she said.

“He finds a good spot to sit down on it.”

Arnie will be one of dozens of pups ready to take on other dogs and their owners at the annual Gold Coast Pups on Sups competition held on October 28.

Megan Joslin will be taking Arnie the Chihuahua x Pomeranian out on the paddleboards for Pups on Sups. Picture: Jerad Williams

Ms Joslin said she and Arnie had been stand up paddle boarding for the past couple of years.

He even has his own rashie that he wears, with a harness over the top for safety.

“If he slips off I can grab his harness, but he enjoys a little swim,” she said.

This year the pair will take part in the 2km long course. There is also a shorter, 500m social course.

Ms Joslin said she would need to up their training by taking Arnie out on the boards again and head to the gym for some upper body workouts.

On the day, there will be SUP lessons, giveaways, food, a SUP yoga workshop as well as a World Record Challenge to fit as many dogs as possible on a 17ft SUP board.

The event will be held at the Broadwater Parklands in Southport. Registrations start at $20 with optional board hire an extra $15.