Dog on board - any tips?

jonnybuoy

jonnybuoy

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Dear All, am new to boating (this season) and so is our dog, Murphy. I have a couple of questions:

1. Can anyone recommend a good lifejacket for dogs and where to buy?

2. Any tips on getting a dog used to a boat (other than time) - he gets edgy as soon as the boat is not in calm water

3. Do you tether your dog once underway in case you can't keep an eye on him all the time?

Cheers
Jon.

PS Here's a picture of him (18-month Border Terrier):
Murphy.jpg
 
Hello

Highly recommend 'Crewsaver' available from Mailspeed, Marinestore etc., however if possible, get your border to the chandlers to try it on. We've two terriers (cairn & westie) and it's surprising how badly some other jackets were on. Crewsaver has improved over the years in that the fabric is less 'plastic' than it used to be and they've also added a 'D' ring, which I guess leads to your 3rd question - tying the dog on. Would strongly suggest you make up a double ended clip so you can clip to the 'D' ring and one to the cockpit or even jack stays if at anchor, very smooth sea etc. Trust me, it makes for a much more relaxing time knowing they can't disappear!

As far as getting the dog used to the boat, well best advise is to take your time, nothing too hasty, nothing to fightening - he'll get used to it. Try to sit with him and calm him, give him a favourite toy to play with, but most of all make him feel very secure. I'm sure dogs get to love the change of scene, okay my two were introduced to the marina/boat when they were puppies, but my last cairn was 3 before she went anywhere near a boat and in time, well she absolutely loved the pontoons, boat (although she went to bed when it got lively), she loved the tender (that meant walk). It certainly helps if you put one of those soft beds on board (I've got the padded corner types and they work very well) and let him get used to it at home then transfer it to the boat. Position the bed in such a way as it can't be thrown around when the boat starts moving around and put him in it, ideally with someone comforting him, then gradually leave him for longer on his own.

We've never regretted getting our dogs to go sailing; stick with it and I'm sure you'll have a great time. By the way, he's a cracker!
 
Dogs will get used to the boat to a lesser or greater degree just as they get used to the car. They aren't all natural sailors though, just like people. Mainly they just want to be with you. Most chandlers sell dog lifejackets, our dogs have always worn them. Although I am not convinced that they really need them, the carrying handle and D ring on the back are useful.
 
We got our dog a life jacket but the main reason is because it has a handle on the back to hook the boathook into and lift her back on. Has been used in anger a few times and makes retrieving the dog a doddle. A bonus in our case as our dog is rather clumsey on deck and falls in a lot.
 
Biggest problem we had was trying to teach her a bit about Newton's laws. She never did learn that when she jumped off the dinghy to the pontoon, the dinghy moved backwards more than she moved forwards.

Fortunately she enjoyed swimming;- but in the Severn Estuary?!
 
Much the same as kids - loads of reassurrance when the boat starts to heal over. Then they get used to it. Our Lab and Jack Russell have both grown to love it and consider it home from home. What helps them a lot I think is that they both have their own designated 'bed' on the boat which they know is there's. It helps their natural need for this security.
 
A lot of dogs get edgy when the boat starts moving, cause their paws cant get a grip on GRP. If the dog has a special bed, then make sure he can get to it easily, and is secure (i.e. can wedge himself in)
 
Our spaniel got used to the boat as a pup and was with us for a few longish cruises with no problem.
There was a period of a few months over winter he didn't get down to the marina... when he did he had a sudden aversion to the pontoon. He point blank refused to walk along the thing, possibly because he could see the water between the planks.
Once on the boat he was OK, but every time we arrived at the car park he got worried.
Now we are on a mooring the stress has gone and he's first into the dinghy.
I guess the only lesson from this is the boat or its motion might not be the cause of distress, so gently does it.
So far as lifejackets are concerned, as long as the dog is comfortable I don't think it matters what brand you buy. The value lies in having a handhold, especially in getting mutt from dinghy to deck, plus helping visibility in the water. I really don't think they have much value in helping a dog keep afloat.
 
Dogs will very quickly learn their place to go, they like routine so after a couple of days you should be able to have them go when and where you want.

Try a piece of astro turf you can tow behind the boat to wash off before adding a bit of bleach and packing in a dry bag, for example. Find a sturdy place to lay it down each morning after the dog has eaten. Dogs take around 24hrs to move food through their system, so times can be pretty predictable.

If the dog gets used to this, he may learn to nudge the dry bag if he needs to relieve. Another method of storage to prevent spills, depending on the size of dog might be a litter tray with astro turf inside or any other material that works. I would not leave it bare, he will slide all over the place on the plastic and dogs do like a good sniff, again, tie this like a bucket and hurl over the side when it requires cleaning. Salt water is a pretty good disinfectant!

We use the trampoline for the dog to relieve, a quick brush with a bucket of water and bleach afterwards and it is as good as new.

Narrative_foredeck_lrg.jpg


As Mainwaring would say, improvise!

Hope this helps!

To keep the dog happy, lots of treats, warm, safe comfy bed that he can retire to at any time in a place he can feel is his, a crate is ideal if you have crate trained him.

Try not to get mad, telling him off because he does not suddenly become a ships dog will only make your job harder, he will associate being told off with being on the boat and no amount of training will work, positive associations only.

Another thing that might help you, if you bought from a decent breeder, like me!, he will have have early newspaper training, I will explain. As a puppy, the bitch will nudge puppies out of the whelping box as they grow to empty. That is her job over, the breeder must then start house training. Dogs will not mess their own space, look up crate training on google.

To get puppies to go to the back the back door and then into the back yard I used a common method using newspaper. Day 1, newspaper by whelping box, each day move paper toward the door, placing puppy on paper and praising when he goes. After up to 10 days he will follow the paper outside and into the flower bed or part of garden you designate his place!

This training will be instilled for life, try putting paper down and he will almost certainly go on it, this will make your job of getting him to go in the same place on the boat easier. Expecting the dog to cross his legs on any passage is IMHO cruel and will limit your passage times, maybe a kennel is best if you can not bear the thought of him going on the boat. This is general and not pointed at you, you understand! Dogs also make a great excuse for rows in the dinghy to the sandbank, beach etc. for early morning/late evening walks, best times of the day for a quiet walk and a view of the anchorage.

Lots of positives, treats and chews, never scold.

Big hint, if you get back to the boat and he has peed in the cockpit in your absence do not scold him, say nothing clean up. If you hit him, the normal chav reaction, he will associate your return with pain, and most certainly wet him self on your return. Putting his nose in it is total fallacy and just cruel, how is he supposed to understand, given his position in the food chain!

You would be amazed how many 'accidents' on the kitchen floor happen not during the day, but at the exact moment the keys are rattled in the front door!

Hope this helps

Amateur dog trainer, occasional breeder and ex-breed rescue!

J
 
One thing I do for our spaniel is to put one of the cockpit cushions at the bottom of the companionway steps, as she takes them with one bound, and lands rather heavily. Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately), spaniels love water, so she doesn't worry when she falls in.
 
Thanks guys lots of great advice. Lifejacket and double ended leash will get. Yep he definitely freaks out walking along the pontoon with the gaps so need to make that bit of the journey easier for him (luckily he's small enough to carry). Own bed on the boat lots of reassurance and newspaper training again. I'll get him some sea legs yet! Thanks again.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Biggest problem we had was trying to teach her a bit about Newton's laws. She never did learn that when she jumped off the dinghy to the pontoon, the dinghy moved backwards more than she moved forwards.

Fortunately she enjoyed swimming;- but in the Severn Estuary?!

[/ QUOTE ]

Our last dog was a Springer that had been used for wildfowling. As far as he was concerned, pick up buoys were a form of duck so as soon as he saw one he was off to retrieve it if we didnt grab him in time. Again in the Severn - and there's nothing worse on board than a wet dog.

Any tips? Lots of fabric de-odoriser, lots of poo bags, covers for all the upholstery, dog towels, and a strong stomach for dealing with a sea sick / incontinent animal.

Best tip of all - kennels.
 
Hi Birdseye,

"" Best tip of all - kennels. ""

Absolutely. It seems to me that the main reason people drag their pets sailing is for their benefit, not the animal's. And as you say, the smells and hassle can be simply dreadful!!
 
Er, excuse me for rocking the boat but.....

Perhaps because you own dogs you are kidding yourselves that they love sailing as much as you do.

Every dog I've ever sailed with (from jack russels to labs) has been absolutely terrified. Can you really consider yourselves animal lovers when you force them to do something they are clearly petrified of?

I think it's pretty selfish of the owner to force an animal to do something they are not comfortable with. You wouldn't make your son or daughter (or anyone for that matter) go sailing if everytime they got on a boat they started crying and shaking with fear.

As Birdseye says: kennels.
 
I've had two dogs (now just one) since owning a boat, that we take with us, and they both thoroughly enjoyed being on the boat - the remaining one has never been in kennels and I do not think she would like them (and I am not adverse to kennels because I have used them for a number of previous dogs).

Dogs are individuals and you can't generalise. The main thing they want is to be with their owners (pack) and to exclude them as a matter of course can be even more damaging. If all the dogs you sailed with (you don't make it clear whether they are yours or other peoples) have been "absolutely terrified" I would suggest it may have more to do with the approach of the owner rather than the dog.
 
It's simple, really:

- If they like sailing, fair enough.
- If they don't, don't take them sailing. Don't force them to 'like' it.
- And if you can't bear to be without your pet and don't want to put them in kennels, then don't go sailing.

(Lescagot - not my dogs, and I agree that it was due to the approach of the owner: quite simply forcing the dog onto the boat when they clearly didn't want to be there!)
 
Great, now I will try to never again do the sharp, cross, impatient angry commands which I feel so uncomfortable with. I suspected it was ONLY praise and encouragement works and your advice seems to be what I need to hear. The dog is a scotty, from a rescue charity in the Canaries. From Madeira to Cadiz was seven days and it took four days to go to the loo. First was a pee then a couple days later a poo. I was very worried and then when she went I was so happy I'm certain she just loves going to the loo now.
Being responsible for the dog is giving clear rights and respecting them rather than always trying to dominate. I hope I can fully listen to my own statements here. Thanks for the advice.
Has anyone bought a non UK dog into the UK from a EU country? Do I need to enter at particular ports of entry and will there be a few days of quarantine while the vets checks are done? I realise there is a vets certificate to be obtained before leaving France. The dog is chipped and has an EU pets passport.
 
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