Dog day out

Neal · 03 October 2007, 08:05

The other half is looking to give a home to a dog that needs one urgent or its the big kennel in the sky

. The dog is a small terrier. What advice can anyone give about boating in a RIB with a small dog aged eight ish? I have seen some life jackets for pets so one of them will be on the list for a start.
Once again many thanks.

The Grocer · 03 October 2007, 08:51

We've taken Skyla, our Sheltie on various trips on "Cowal". She loves being with us on the boat, and sulks if she can't come

She wears a medium size pet life jacket, which has a lifting loop and D-ring built in. We loop her lead through a seat back, then clip it on to the D-ring. (The connecting clip should, I hope, break away if the boat went over - but I wouldn't want her [or us] out there if it's that bad!) She normally tucks herself in between the seat pods and watches the world go by. If it gets a bit lively she tends to lean against one of us - a hint to take it easy.

She's a 'clean' dog - let's us know when she needs a pee etc, but accidents can happen. Take a bucket and a brush for cleaning up.

Take some drinking water for it, and a snack if it's a longer trip.

Thing about getting on and off the boat: can you carry the dog up a ladder? Will it let you carry it up a ladder?

The most important thing is: Will the dog enjoy it? If not, please don't take it with you. If it does (and I've never yet met a terrier without a sense of adventure

), you won't be able to stop it!

jyasaki · 03 October 2007, 15:22

Be really careful about having the dog leap off at random times; I had a friends dog on board who used to try to play with the sea lions and otters, usually when we were at about 25 knots.

jky

Neal · 04 October 2007, 06:52

Thanks for the information and tips i understand the dog has been on boats and liked it.

codprawn · 04 October 2007, 14:20

Good for you.

Most dogs love the sea and boats. I love seeing them when they come into the harbour - you would swear the dog is the owner and the people are just the deckhands!!!

Neal · 04 October 2007, 15:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Most dogs love the sea and boats. I love seeing them when they come into the harbour - you would swear the dog is the owner and the people are just the deckhands!!!

she can the fees then

Limey Linda · 04 October 2007, 15:47

A few pics of my boating buddy. At 105 lbs he can be a problem to get back on board.

jyasaki · 04 October 2007, 15:53

LL;

Someone was marketing a ramp that could be deployed (I don't recall details, but supposedly compact storage was one of the features); it allowed a dog (or child, I suppose) to walk up the ramp to reboard the boat.

I think it was intended for lake use (calm waters), but you might want to look into that, or design your own similar system.

105lbs of wet dog is a surefire road to chronic lower back pain.

jky

Limey Linda · 04 October 2007, 16:12

Thanks jya
Yes I have seen those and they have given ideas to design my own. he is very well trained BUT, if a duck or seagull swims by then he is going after it no matter what. What else would expect from a labrador?

Hightower · 04 October 2007, 19:33

I heard of someone who owned a super Yacht that had a new retractable ladder/pontoon made just because his dog slipped and hurt itself when climbing the old ladder with wet paws.

Cost....£25000

Neal · 05 October 2007, 07:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

I heard of someone who owned a super Yacht that had a new retractable ladder/pontoon made just because his dog slipped and hurt itself when climbing the old ladder with wet paws.

Cost....£25000

Sounds good think i will have one front and back

Bigmuz7 · 08 October 2007, 22:12

I have to say my mutt loves the boat, she's a cocker spaniel, and just loves her fave position between someones knees on a jockey watching the world go by,.. ears flapping in the breeze

(cue wife gag

)

CAH · 09 October 2007, 03:42

Every dog is different in needs such as life jacket, leash, etc. Many dogs can swim much better than humans so a life jacket might be a waste of money. If you have a water loving dog like my Chesapeake Bay Retriever a leash would be a better choice than a life jacket. My silly dog thinks his dad's boat is a big diving board. Stanley will jump over board at any speed which is why I must keep him on a short leash. I mention short leash because one time Stanley jumped over with a long leash and had a big thrill being dragged along side the boat. Have fun with your dog.