Pet Life Jacket.

[AZBoatDreamer]

When we get a boat later this year we will be taking our Medium size dog with us. Every family member will wear life jackets when the boat is in motion. So what about our Dumb Dog. Should we get a life jacket for her. My wife says yes. I say let her float out to sea if she falls out. Well that response didn't go well with her.

Anyway do boaters typically have life jackets for their boating Dogs?

David

 

[109jb]

Re: Pet Life Jacket.

Our dog boats with us and we don't have a life jacket for him. However, when he is with us we are usually boating in a river that is not too wide. He would easily be able to swim to one shore or the other if not injured. They do make them though and we saw them at Petco. If I remember right they were about $20-$30.

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Pet Life Jacket.

I see they are cheap online for about $30.00.

My wife and kids would be highly upset at me if our dog drowned being thrown from the boat.

$30.00 is a cheap investment in my dog life

 

[HAV2FISH]

Re: Pet Life Jacket.

When my dog is out with me he does not where one but when the boat starts up he crawls up under the drive console under my legs. I would have to flip the boat for him to be thrown into the water.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Pet Life Jacket.

Yes pet life jackets are great. Even though my Labs are superior swimmers the life jackets have a handle to help lift the dog back into the boat. Many dogs will swim until they collapse and some dogs with lots of muscle sink like stones.

 

[oh2fl]

Re: Pet Life Jacket.

We're looking at buying a boat soon ('98 Glastron SE195) and already have a line on a life jacket for our Dobe.

YES, muscle sinks.... when he's running along the canal, if he decides to go after something in the water and he's in over his head, he turns with this look of DREAD on his face!
Poor guy. Muscle doesn't float.
His Lab buddy will go into the water and float to get away from him. HATES IT!!
I like the handle idea too, at least to get him back to the swim platform before hefting his 98# frame up.
GET ONE - it could save a marriage!

 

[BLU LUNCH]

Re: Pet Life Jacket.

We have vest for our Basset Hound from Petco.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Pet Life Jacket.

My daughters family has two small dogs. They have jackets for them with a handle on the back. They carry them on and off the boat by the handle like a small duffle bag. Funniest thing you've ever seen but it sure is effective and an easy way to make sure Bowser gets into and out of the boat safely.

 

[OCSportsman]

Re: Pet Life Jacket.

Avery makes a boaters dog vest, it is neoprean, which makes it less bulky and it has extra flotation on the sides. I thas a built in handle in the vest, not on the outside that could get snagged on a stick and cause a major problem for your dog. Only down side, (for some) they are generally camo. Here is a link. http://www.averysportingdog.com/products/Vests.php

 

[204 Escape]

Re: Pet Life Jacket.

We have a full size collie, a Scottie, a toy poodle, and a basset hound. They all wear a jacket when the boat stops. As stated the "handles" are real nice !!! (Especially if you have tried to pick up a basset hound !!!!! They just go limp !!! )

 

[BLU LUNCH]

Re: Pet Life Jacket.

We have a full size collie, a Scottie, a toy poodle, and a basset hound. They all wear a jacket when the boat stops. As stated the "handles" are real nice !!! (Especially if you have tried to pick up a basset hound !!!!! They just go limp !!! )

Not limp boneless.............

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: Pet Life Jacket.

dogs have gag reflexes from rapid submersion just like you, and also can have a heart attack while swimming. A bright neon vest will make him more visible also. My Golden's go for 1900, whats a 30 vest.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Pet Life Jacket.

Our border collie wears one of the child PFD's we have when necessary. Fits him really well. Tested out in our pool before we used it for boating.

 

[SNye45]

Re: Pet Life Jacket.

It depends what value you put on your dogs life. Are they a member of the family?. Or just a dog.

I have a 10 year old Vizsla (80 Ibs) who crazily hates water. Not having kids of our own he is my kid. I love him to death and to loose him by not buying a $30 life jacket is unthinkable.

He has a bright yellow jacket with a very useful handle on the top

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Pet Life Jacket.

OK before the SPCA hauls me to Jail for animal abuse the original comments about dumb dog and sending her floating out to sea was joking.

I hate to admit it but I love our dog. She is one years old medium size Yellow lab mix about 30lbs.

I would feel sick if she feel over board and drowned because I didnt buy a $30 life jacket for her. My wife and small kids wouldnt want to go boating again. When the time comes I will buy her the Girly Pink with white poka dots life jacket.

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Pet Life Jacket.

It's a good idea to have at least neoprene when you may be far from shore. They can swim along ways and hopefully you'd notice it missing and be able to turn around and get it. But if the water is cold, that's hard on them and they can die quick..

 

[stanfd]

Re: Pet Life Jacket.

We use a life vest for our dog when on the boat. She actually loves to get it put on her cause she knows she is going for a boat ride. The handle on the vest is nice too to help her get back into the boat after a swim.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Pet Life Jacket.

My Husky wears one when the boat is moving. My fear is if something happens to the boat while we are far from shore, he may not be able to swim that far and pose an additional hazard for us. We can put our jackets on in the water, his is hard to do. We can tell which way to swim, he can't. Hence the picture above.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Pet Life Jacket.

iboats has a complete line of PFD's. Tasha always wears one. a swimming dog, can become scared. at this point their claws can tear your skin severely, the handle you can pick him/her up safely. also comes in handy, if you have to reach them with a boat hook.

 

[freelancer]

Re: Pet Life Jacket.

Our dog is a Yorkie Bichon mix and is a little tiny thing. She has a vest that we keep on the boat but she doesn't always wear it. When she swims the handle on top is nice to get her back on to the floating dock, she would never be able to reach the deck from the water, and we just use the boat hook and catch the jacket and pull her up.