Summer is here. For boaters across the country that means days on the water with family and friends. For many boat owners, one or more of those friends likely has more than two legs.
Dogs and boats are a great combination. With a few basic considerations you can prepare your boat for your four-legged friend. What follows is an overview of what to know and what to bring to make the most of boating with your dog.
Safety
The first step to make boating with your pet a fun and positive experience is to dog-proof your boat. You’ll want to ensure that lures, hooks, gaffs, knives and other sharp objects are stowed safely out of reach of your dog. If your rod storage is within 18-inches or so of the floor of your boat (beneath the gunnel or in rod holders up front), consider taking off hooks or lures. Make sure to remove sharp objects that might snag a dog running around the boat. This is also a great practice when fishing with kids.
The second safety consideration involves flotation. Consider outfitting your dog with a canine life vest. Even if you have a water dog—a labrador or golden retriever, life vests are a great option. They not only help with flotation but with visibility, too.
If you have a young dog who is excited about the water, keeping a life vest on is a good idea. The pup will not need it at the sandbar, but imagine if the pup were to get excited and bail overboard while you were running. Stranger things have happened.
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What To Look for In a Canine Life Vest
These days there are some great dog life jacket options. You’ll want to buy one that fits your dog (most are sold in sizes that correspond to weight). Many options have adjustable straps to secure a snug fit.
You might also consider visibility. Bright-colored life jackets will help you see the dog at a distance. You might also consider a life jacket that has reflective stripes. That way, if your dog were to jump off the boat in low light or at night, you could find him or her easier with a spotlight.
When you are on anchor or at the sandbar, you’ll likely be able to help your dog into the boat. If you are loading your dog in open water, however, a handle will really come in handy. Many dog life jackets have lifting handles on the back and on the chest (on the strap that runs in front of your dog’s neck, across its shoulders). These handles can really be useful when helping your dog board the boat.
You might also consider investing in a sturdy boat hook. In an emergency, this can help bring the dog into position alongside your boat and lift him or her into the vessel. This would be especially helpful in the event of needing to bring the dog aboard in a place with heavy boat traffic or current (run the boat hook into the handle on the top of the vest). Again, you may never need to use the hook, but you’ll certainly be glad to have it if you do need it.
Supplies and Set Up
As you get your dog comfortable with being on the boat, you might consider setting up a place for him or her to relax. Placing a non-slip foam mat in the corner of the boat’s cockpit can not only make the dog comfortable, but also ease the wear and tear on your gelcoat. Placing a “dog bed on the boat” lets Fido get a better grip and relax in comfort, while not clawing your boat up.
Be sure to pack plenty of food and water for the dog, too. Bring a dedicated bowl and a jug of water. If you’re on the boat for long periods of time, a bit of dog food justifies its space in the boat bag. Of course, your four-legged friend would probably rather eat half of whatever lunch you packed for yourself than whatever kibble you brought for him.
You’ll also want to remember the leash and the waste bags. The leash prepares you not only for navigating a potentially busy boat dock, but lets you bring your dog with you if you go to a restaurant for lunch or visit a waterfront shopping area. The waste bags are a nice consideration, no matter where you wind up.
You’ll also want to remember to bring a dedicated dog towel or two. Whether for drying your dog off after a swim or laying it down on the seat of your truck for the ride home, towels really come in handy.
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Dogs and boats are a great combination. With a few basic considerations you can prepare your boat for your four-legged friend. What follows is an overview of what to know and what to bring to make the most of boating with your dog.
Safety
The first step to make boating with your pet a fun and positive experience is to dog-proof your boat. You’ll want to ensure that lures, hooks, gaffs, knives and other sharp objects are stowed safely out of reach of your dog. If your rod storage is within 18-inches or so of the floor of your boat (beneath the gunnel or in rod holders up front), consider taking off hooks or lures. Make sure to remove sharp objects that might snag a dog running around the boat. This is also a great practice when fishing with kids.
The second safety consideration involves flotation. Consider outfitting your dog with a canine life vest. Even if you have a water dog—a labrador or golden retriever, life vests are a great option. They not only help with flotation but with visibility, too.
If you have a young dog who is excited about the water, keeping a life vest on is a good idea. The pup will not need it at the sandbar, but imagine if the pup were to get excited and bail overboard while you were running. Stranger things have happened.
What To Look for In a Canine Life Vest
These days there are some great dog life jacket options. You’ll want to buy one that fits your dog (most are sold in sizes that correspond to weight). Many options have adjustable straps to secure a snug fit.
You might also consider visibility. Bright-colored life jackets will help you see the dog at a distance. You might also consider a life jacket that has reflective stripes. That way, if your dog were to jump off the boat in low light or at night, you could find him or her easier with a spotlight.
When you are on anchor or at the sandbar, you’ll likely be able to help your dog into the boat. If you are loading your dog in open water, however, a handle will really come in handy. Many dog life jackets have lifting handles on the back and on the chest (on the strap that runs in front of your dog’s neck, across its shoulders). These handles can really be useful when helping your dog board the boat.
You might also consider investing in a sturdy boat hook. In an emergency, this can help bring the dog into position alongside your boat and lift him or her into the vessel. This would be especially helpful in the event of needing to bring the dog aboard in a place with heavy boat traffic or current (run the boat hook into the handle on the top of the vest). Again, you may never need to use the hook, but you’ll certainly be glad to have it if you do need it.
Supplies and Set Up
As you get your dog comfortable with being on the boat, you might consider setting up a place for him or her to relax. Placing a non-slip foam mat in the corner of the boat’s cockpit can not only make the dog comfortable, but also ease the wear and tear on your gelcoat. Placing a “dog bed on the boat” lets Fido get a better grip and relax in comfort, while not clawing your boat up.
Be sure to pack plenty of food and water for the dog, too. Bring a dedicated bowl and a jug of water. If you’re on the boat for long periods of time, a bit of dog food justifies its space in the boat bag. Of course, your four-legged friend would probably rather eat half of whatever lunch you packed for yourself than whatever kibble you brought for him.
You’ll also want to remember the leash and the waste bags. The leash prepares you not only for navigating a potentially busy boat dock, but lets you bring your dog with you if you go to a restaurant for lunch or visit a waterfront shopping area. The waste bags are a nice consideration, no matter where you wind up.
You’ll also want to remember to bring a dedicated dog towel or two. Whether for drying your dog off after a swim or laying it down on the seat of your truck for the ride home, towels really come in handy.
Back to Blue Life
