Dogs on your boat

[Ret USN CPO]

I'm sure people take their faithful companions out on their boats with them when they go out. Is there anything I need to know about taking a dog out on my boat when I head out?

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Dogs on your boat

Make sure they have a doggie PFD...there are several brands available.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Dogs on your boat

be prepared to get the dog back in the boat. some PFD's have handles one the back, to lift the dog. there are boating ladders that big dogs can walk up. unless you have had your dog in a swimming pool, and he is use to you helping him, he can inflict injure to if you are in the water with them, trying to help them into the boat. be sure to take a bowl for water, and provide some shade. they love to ride on the bow, with their nose in the air, but i keep a tether on Tasha, so she doesn't accidentially go over, and get run over.
Tasha is my avatar.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Dogs on your boat

i don't have a dog. but my buddy does. i'd say train them to voice command....

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Dogs on your boat

there is nothing worse than an unruly dog on a boat. there first time they are going to be scared. be patient, and reassuring.

 

[VaBoater]

Re: Dogs on your boat

Every dog is different in the way they react on the boat and in the water. A doggie PFD is important. Dogs wear themselves out and need that extra float at the end of the day. Most doggie PFD's have the handles to help left them out of the water. The larger the dog, the more help you are going to need to get them back in the boat.

I dont know about all dogs, but mine likes to do his "business" on land. I schedule a couple walks throughout the day to make sure we have no accidents in the cabin. Hope a few of my experiences help you avoid problems!

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Dogs on your boat

My sister and her butt-ugly pug at the helm.

What's already been mentioned -- pfd, water, availability of shade, land breaks, and discipline. Some dogs will been fine for hours, others might be fidgety, scared, or just plain a pita. This one is fine until he sees another boat, then goes berzerk -- yapping, scrabbling around with his sharp little claws on the upholstry and gelcoat. I'm hoping he'll fall overboard some day...

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Dogs on your boat

Awhile back I got a dog to stay with my wife and I on the boat during the weekends/vacation. He is half lab half newfy (newfoundland). Both are known to be great in the water. It turns out, he hates the water. I prefers laying in the cabin by the a/c vent and his food dish. I know he can swim, but as soon as he hits the water, it is a frantitic scurry to the shore. Don't get in his way, or you'll have a 180# pooch claw his way on top of your head. They are no different than a person that is panicing in the water.

I don't have a PFD for him. If he did ever go off the side of my boat, I'd need a hoist to get him back in. His weight plus the water that soaked into his fur would put him over 200#. I'm a bit dismayed about it, but in the long run, I don't need to worry that he is going to jump in. While underway, he prefers to be in the cabin. Very seldom does he want to be on the back deck. He loves being on the bridge, but I can't lift the fat sucker up there any more. BTW, we got him on a diet. Spring will be here soon and he will be getting some longs walks......Just hope my wife is up to it!

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Dogs on your boat

^^^^this is his permanent command station on our old boat

we take our dog where ever we go. he loves the water. we have some great pic of him and my sons dog swimming but the files are to big to downe load.
we have sarge trained to do his business on a old cookie sheet if we'er to far from shore. much easer to clean up that way. if your dog is'nt house trained be sure to give him nature breaks when ever you can and plenty of water to drink. other wise he'll want to drink out of the water your in and this may or may not be a good idea depending on where you are

 

[dcg9381]

Re: Dogs on your boat

If you have a little dog, it's less of a hassle.
Big dogs - they need to be conditioned to be comfortable around the water. If they're not comfortable, they can be dangerous to swimmers and dangerous to themselves.

Riding in the boat is no problem (in most cases). Watch them to make sure they stay in the boat and don't allow them to go shooting towards the dock when it's time to tie up.

IF you're letting them in and out of the water, you need a good way to get them back on board and they've got to be conditioned to it. It's hard to lift a 100 lb wet dog, even with a handle - there are various dog ladders, but the dog has to know what it's for.

Last, protect your vinyl. I have big dogs and twice I've had punctures in the vinyl from claws.

 

[nlain]

Re: Dogs on your boat

Some years back I had a Sheppard/Chow mix and a Blue eyed Siberian Husky, the dogs were at the gate before us if the boat was in the water, they loved it, the only time we had to worry was coming back in to the dock, they wanted out before we were tied up, it was not a big fight just tell them no and they would wait. That being said all the things mentioned are right, we had a small boat and loading was either from the dock or at the beach, both required a little assistance getting in at the beach. They both rode well, of course they loved to ride, car or boat.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Dogs on your boat

We have two golden retrievers, Winnie the Pooch ("Winnie") and Chantilly Lace ("Tilly"), and they absolutely love the water.

Last summer we were at a friend's lake cabin and they had the best time. He had a small fishing boat with a tiller outboard, so I took them out in it (one at a time). They were each a little skittish at first, but then they simmered down and enjoyed the breeze in their faces and the rolling/pitching of the boat.

That's when we decided to buy our own boat, but the one we ordered will be longer and wider with higher sidewalls, wider gunwales, and a swim platform to help hoist the dogs out of the water if they should jump in (55 lbs each). And, yes, there will be water, a sun top for shade, poopy bags for those shoreline stops, leashes, and they will each have their own PFDs with those handles on top.

Can't wait for summer!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Dogs on your boat

non restricting PFD.

http://www.iboats.com/Super_Soft_AE...04995724--**********.505551321--view_id.40484

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Dogs on your boat

non restricting PFD.

http://www.iboats.com/Super_Soft_AE...04995724--**********.505551321--view_id.40484

Thanks TD. Either I may make one or buy one. Wife wants a golden, so maybe it will like the water and get my big chicken to get in the water on those hot days.

 

[qaztwo]

Re: Dogs on your boat

Have 2 dogs and both wear pfd. Make sure there is a place for them to get out of the sun. Mine are all black and do not take long to warm up. Also bring their water bowls and water.

By the way mine also like to ride infront of you on the jetski's

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: Dogs on your boat

My dog loves to be with me (follows me everywhere), loves to swim, loves to go to the lake........ Absolutely HATES the boat.

Oh well, she stays home now. Everybody is happier.

 

[salty87]

Re: Dogs on your boat

so much has already been covered. shade is important even if its just a towel across seats they can lay under. bimini is good, cuddy best.

the ramp is very exciting for them, make a pit stop before loading in the boat...not on the ramp preferably. take their leash off in the boat like a car.

there's a technique for getting a dog onto a swim platform that doesn't require you lifting all of their weight, if you have a platform. post back for more details.

 

[mike176]

Re: Dogs on your boat

dogs are great on land, but a real drag on the water. I have a big one and a little guy and every time we go on the boat i have to talk the wife out of bring'in one.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Dogs on your boat

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2245193670103006965EHwpaW

on our bayliner there is a ladder built in and sarge puts his paws on that then with help climbs in. it also has whale tail and he will climbot that an set with his paws on the top of the out drive. he has tried to climb into the boat from there but we dont want him climbing in by his self and i think we would scratch to much stuff up
one of the things we wanted when we got a bigger boat was one with a swim platform. we now have that and i think he will be able to go right up the out drive and on to swim platform as thay are close when the drive is up.

 

[Ret USN CPO]

Re: Dogs on your boat

Wow, thanks for all the replies. We have a miniature schnauzer and he weighs in around 15-17 lbs. I had seen the pet PFDs with the handle on the back, and didn't put 2 and 2 together that it was there to help lift them out of the water:redface:.

Anyway, I appreciate the stories about your experiences, hopefully we have picked up a few pointers and can make his first trip out on the boat a good one.