Dog on a boat....what do I need to know?

Great thread
We bring our dogs a lot. They are Havanese and are very well adapted to hot weatherhere in Texas.
They love the water and are good swimmers.
I would suggest keeping your puppy in a doggy vest or at least a harness.
We have had several dogs fall off the boathouse by accident, even the good swimmers will get tired
They cannot get back up.
We keep a large fish net handy just for this reason
Enjoy your puppies they are worth the effort.
Abouttime
 
Very tru goat. My wife has a canvas bag that she just uses to pack for the boat. When my bulldog sees that bag she gets all excited. If she hears me start the motors she scratches at the door to get out.I think she likes the boat more than we do!
 
Don't forget Labs in boat-loving breeds. Short of him chewing the name before it was applied I have never had an issue. I agree that well behaived, traind and controlled pets are well recieved at all marinas I've been to. I keep fleece blankets on board because 100 lbs of lab can get in the way quick on a pocket cruiser and I don't let him below. Too much hair for too little room. I cover all my seats with the fleece and they have the run of the weather decks. Pull in for food and my rear screen goes up so they get good ventlation, plenty of bowls of water and they are fine. I keep a bark collar onboard but hardly ever use it unless he reverts to 'I'm a puppy and too excited for my own good', he is only one year old. Keep em quiet, on the boat, looking and smeeling good and people will either pet them or simply walk right by if they don't like animals. I make sure to always carry my poop bags visibly in hand where others can see. Seems to put non animal boaters at ease that I plan to be responsible and pick up!

As for pet PFDs, little one has it (a Yorkie/Maltiese) and wore it until he was comfortable in the water now it is just near by when he is onboard. Shame on me, I need to get one for the lab... I've seen him swin for 20 minutes without touching bottom but in the fear and confusion god forbid anything happen to your boat, all humans and pets should have them on.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Alexsandr

all miniature kinds of dogs, also called lap dogs, not good on boat, suffer from heat, motion, noise.

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I have two lapdogs that boat with us all the time and are very well adjusted to boating. But I do agree that the little dogs are more prone to the heat and you need to keep that in mind when you boat with them. We have the AC going all the time in the salon so they have a place to cool of if needed. Also while not in the salon they have shady areas and plenty of water.
As far as "motion", I don't think small dogs have the exclusive on that, one of my small dogs is fine with motion, the other is just ok. My last dog, bigger dog, couldn't drive 20 feet in the car before getting sick."Noise", not an issue with either lap dog.

I also agree that "water dogs" like labs, retrievers and others are the best boat dog.

It would be a lot easier for me to kennel my dogs rather than bring them on the boat, but I can't do that. As far as what's best for the dog, in my case, the dogs enjoy the boat and mostly like most dogs would prefer to be around their owners rather than being caged.

Walter
 
When the old girl was here with us, I had a 2'x2' piece of artificial grass with a light line threaded thru one of the perforations. I sprayed some puppy trainer on it and she would pee on the "grass" on the swim platform.

Damn. I miss my dog.
 
We have 2 25lb beagle/mutt mixes. They go every where with us on the boat (even the trip I recently posted about).

We purchased a collapsable crate for them and keep them in it when we are under power and when we are docking.

We have done everything to make their boat home like their house home; including dog beds, toys, treats...they need a routine.

Many a vet has told us 1/2 a benadryl is good if they get anxious under power.
 
Good to know Greg. We just picked up one of those crates today. I have a three day weekend next weekend and we're debating whether or not to bring the pooch. My wife thinks it might be too early but I say now is as good as time as any to introduce him to the boat.
 
I agree with Mrs Robinson... our dogs had bad allergies at our last duty station and our vet told us to use childre's benadryl suryp at half does. Worked great... and it knocked them out well. Our guys love the boat and truck and many many MANY miles later none have ever been sick. Have fun with it!
 
quote:
Originally posted by norman

Good to know Greg. We just picked up one of those crates today. I have a three day weekend next weekend and we're debating whether or not to bring the pooch. My wife thinks it might be too early but I say now is as good as time as any to introduce him to the boat.

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Agreed...introduce the pooch early.
 
Ours guys on the boat:

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Wouldn't go without him.Wife works every other weekend,Bentley on the boat every weekend

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Our bulldog relaxing on the ramp I made for her.

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I know a guy who trained his dog to do his business on the swim platform. After the dog was done, he would just hose it off with the transom shower.
 
If I may interject.

Where they sleep and how they act is up to you.
You will need to have a means to get them ashore to do their business.
(when we anchor and I get anywhere near the rib our dog is rareing to go for a boat ride.
You will need to have plenty of water set out and a place to store food, raise them on dry food.
You will also need a way to get them back on boat.
Before we got the TNT lift I put the dog in a lifevest and used the handle to hoist him out of the water.

Now for breeds, I would suggest a non-shedding breed.
I have a Portuguese Water Dog (about 60 lbs) he is smart, strong, loyal, a great swimmer and does not shed.
Or stink when wet.
There are other breeds that would do the same. I take my daughters lab along many times and spend about a week getting rid of the dog hair.

Now the down side, you are limited to your shore 'leave' by how long you can leave the dog on board.
You would not want a power failure to cause a locked cabin to heat up.
The boat to sink or catch fire or any other catastrophe that could endanger your pet.
And if you want to take off for the day where does the dog go?

Mine has learned how to open the locked cabin door and he takes off in search of us.
He has seen the inside of many waterfront establishments and other boats.

Good luck

Jim C
2004 420 DA
 
Dogs on boats are great! Sandy did go out with me once last year, but I really don't take her with me any more. She did turn 15 this past April, after all! :)

Just remember the heat, provide plenty of water, and remember to take shore breaks. You'll do fine.

Also know that there are foam as well as inflatable life jackets for dogs. Two or legs or four, it can be a long swim to shore. Sandy has a foam "Pooch Preserver"; the handle on the back helps for getting on and off the boat.

-Kevin and Sandy (woof!)

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quote:
Originally posted by Kevin P. Shortell

Dogs on boats are great! Sandy did go out with me once last year, but I really don't take her with me any more. She did turn 15 this past April, after all! :)

Just remember the heat, provide plenty of water, and remember to take shore breaks. You'll do fine.

Also know that there are foam as well as inflatable life jackets for dogs. Two or legs or four, it can be a long swim to shore. Sandy has a foam "Pooch Preserver"; the handle on the back helps for getting on and off the boat.

-Kevin and Sandy (woof!)

29944_1456847710214_1504002807_31081399_4369410_n.jpg


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Love the pic, reminds me.... a little different than boats but dogs are not terribly rare on Coast Guard ships. They are often the chosen mascot onboard. We had a 140' CO who had a medium sized black lab. I always got a kick out of standing on the 02 deck and throwing his ball down the stairs by the mess deck. I don't know if you've ever seen a dog climb a shipboard ladder (type stairs) to a 140' ship rocking in 7 footers on Superior but I always fell down laughing. That dog had better sea legs than the crew! CO had him trained to do his thing on an astro-turf driving range type piece and then he'd dump it over the side. Very important in -60f wind-chill for the dog to go outside and finish quick! CO also had a memo on the bridge with general info stuff. As CO I will not force this dog on, please let me know if you have an issue with animals and he can stay home, do not clean up after him because I am CO, he’s my dog, I'll do it. My fav was he had 'authorized commands' to the dog, some were specific words to make him do a certain trick however some were simply, 'sit' 'self explanatory'
 
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I'm trying this for the first time, so I hope it works. As I said earlier, we have a bichon. Great boat dog! No shed, loves to be with us, is socialble (she has her boat dog friends) and only weighs 25lbs. They have a long history on boats as they were sailor's companions and items of trade on Spanish and Italian ships in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Lady C
 
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