Take your pup boathing with you this summer

If you enjoy boating there’s no reason why you shouldn’t take your dog with you. Dogs love going places with their owners and going out into the deep blue is just another great adventure for Fido to go on with his favorite person in the world: You. There are however a few things you should take into consideration when taking a dog on a boat and we will address these in this article.

Providing your dog with the opportunity to go to the bathroom is the first thing you should address. Some boaters use artificial turf or newspaper to solve the issue. You can spread some artificial turf or newspaper out on the swim platform for your dog to use. You are also going to have to teach your dog what is required by bringing some urine and spreading it on the area you want your dog to use so he gets the picture. Female dogs can go on pads on newspaper but male dogs usually require a pole or post inside a 3x3 foot box to inspire them.

A common danger encountered by many boaters is that their dog may try to jump off the boat while it is pulling in to dock before being moored. To prevent this you should leash your dog before entering the harbor. If your dog begins pulling excitedly don’t yank his chain so to speak, gently pull him to one side and issue a verbal correction.

If you decide to go swimming while you’re out boating you should put a canine life jacket on your dog. Even if your dog is an avid swimmer fatigue and currents may still get the best of him so it’s better to be safe than sorry in this case. If your dog becomes too excited while swimming and starts chasing you in the water you can distract him by throwing toys for him to retrieve for you, thereby keeping him occupied and preventing him from pestering you.

If you’re on a fishing trip your dog may want to join in the fun and you should train your dog before taking him on a fishing trip to avoid him getting caught in the line or getting injured by the hook. Movement can trigger a response from a dog and your dog may try to chase the line when you’re casting so training your dog to remain calm when you’re casting is a good idea. You can do this on land and your dog will eventually learn to ignore the line. If that doesn’t work you should consider keeping your dog on leash while you’re fishing to help keep him safely out of the way.
Make sure your dog has free access to fresh drinking water at all times to prevent him from becoming dehydrated. If the water bowl won’t hold water properly due to the boat’s movement, you can use a sports bottle to regularly squirt some water into the dog’s mouth to keep him hydrated. Do this frequently even if he doesn’t seem to want a drink because dogs can lose body fluids very quickly and become dehydrated. Just like with us, too much sun can cause heat and sun stroke. Provide your dog with a shaded, cool area and spray him with water on particularly hot days. Bear in mind that the boats surface can become very hot and this can burn your dog’s paws so keep them protected.

Tips from Victoria and Pet-Super-Store.com, featuring dog training collars and electric dog fences.