Dog on a boat. Any pointers?

[cheburashka]

We have a two-year-old Golden/Cocker mix who likes to ride in our boat. She swims well, and we've bought her a life jacket, but she's dumb as a post. She tends to like going up into the open bow and jumping onto the hull section that surrounds the seating area. She's very unstable when she gets up there, especially at speed, and I worry that she'll end up falling in. At the same time, I hate having her on a leash or tied down to part of the boat, since it makes her miserable and she's always in the way of things. How do other people deal with this? Will she eventually learn what parts of the boat are safe--preferably without getting chopped up by the prop?

 

[gcboat]

Re: Dog on a boat. Any pointers?

Try to fashion some sort of barricade to keep her from gaining access to the front. After some time - while stopped for awhile - gradually let her up there with you. When you return to the helm to get underway makes sure she comes back with you, put the barricade back up. Hoping after awhile she'll learn that when the boat is moving she needs to be with you - in the back.
Worked well for our two pups who now will scamper to the rear the second the motor is started.

 

[EricR]

Re: Dog on a boat. Any pointers?

Pointers? Nahh, just some retriever mixes......though a pointer might be handy if one could teach it rudimentary navigation.

 

[MaxOD]

Re: Dog on a boat. Any pointers?

Pointers? Nahh, just some retriever mixes......though a pointer might be handy if one could teach it rudimentary navigation.

I don't care where you are from, that right there is funny.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Dog on a boat. Any pointers?

No kidding

 

[Boatist]

Re: Dog on a boat. Any pointers?

Dogs are no different than kids they will push the limit. If everyone that the dog ride with will tell the dog no and make her leave that area she will learn very quick. If everyone let her do it and is not consistantly telling her no she will never learn.

I do a lot of offshore Fishing and this means big hooks and lots of big fish with super spinney fins so it no place for a dog. Still every new dog we have had wants to go back and bite the big flopping fish when you pull them on board. Takes less than one hour to train them and a reminder on the next day then no problem.

Do not forget to praise her when she stops where you want her to stop. A Good dog treat not a bad idea either. They learn real fast if everyone is on the same page and uses the same command to tell her to stop.

If everyone does and says something different then they get very comfused and it will take a long time for her to learn.

 

[salty87]

Re: Dog on a boat. Any pointers?

Will she eventually learn what parts of the boat are safe--preferably without getting chopped up by the prop?

not without your help. also, make sure there's some shade and water for her onboard. they get really excited and its hot out there. if you can get her to calm down in the back with you life will be easier. sit, stay...