Dog training for boats

Chrissie

Chrissie

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Seeing a diebetic hypo training puppy the other day got me thinking, they train dogs to do all sorts these days, clever things like fetching the phone without chewing it, emptying the washing machine, getting things out of the cupboard without running off with them to bury, bringing the post in without tearing it to shreads on the way.

So, Im thinking of taking my dog west with me this summer, but I dont want the expense of marina fees every night just so that he can perform his ablutions, is he too old at eight ot nine to train to use a tray?
anyone successfully done that training?
I dont want him to have to go to the foredeck in a force 6 or 7, (memories of last summer) so I thought a tray put down in the cockpit a few times each day might be better.

I dont want to be trying to row ashore to the nearest lamp post in a little inflatable with him at 5am 6pm 9pm and 11pm, either, but I would be rowing him ashore at least once an evening.

Next question, does anyone know of dogs that have been trained as spotter crew, ie they spot a ship or boat coming in the dark and alert the owner to it, if he/she were to be having a 15 min doze at the helm on passage?

might that be a rod for my own back and he would start to alert me to every boat that comes near in the Solent on a sunny day?
has anyone here tried it?

Any suggestions for what other small tasks a dog might be taught to perform on passage?
 
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Hi, my fox terrier used to do the pre-washing of dishes and plates, warming up my bunk, prevent anyone from climbing onboard if I was not there, pull the tender with the painter between his teeth (or trying to...) dive for stones down to six or seven feet just in case I needed extra ballast, entertain the neighbours by chasing his tail and by diving from deck on top of ducks or gulls begging for scraps or fish swimming near the surface, show me the way to the nearest land by staring and sniffing the air after more than three days at sea, get me dinner when a slower than him rabbit was taking a stroll in the dunes sometimes mistaking rabbits for mice or moles, he was so cute that he was a lady magnet and providing introductary "contact" with most people walking our way. He never knew lead, unapropriate barking, aggressivity, would never "mess" in pathways even when in countryside (I used to pick his droppings when in civilised places...) He was my best mate for seventeen years and a wonderful teacher in patience, bravour, faithfullness, and made me laugh every single day of these years together...
 
al.carpenter said:
Hi, my fox terrier used to do the pre-washing of dishes and plates, warming up my bunk, prevent anyone from climbing onboard if I was not there, pull the tender with the painter between his teeth (or trying to...) dive for stones down to six or seven feet just in case I needed extra ballast, entertain the neighbours by chasing his tail and by diving from deck on top of ducks or gulls begging for scraps or fish swimming near the surface, show me the way to the nearest land by staring and sniffing the air after more than three days at sea, get me dinner when a slower than him rabbit was taking a stroll in the dunes sometimes mistaking rabbits for mice or moles, he was so cute that he was a lady magnet and providing introductary "contact" with most people walking our way. He never knew lead, unapropriate barking, aggressivity, would never "mess" in pathways even when in countryside (I used to pick his droppings when in civilised places...) He was my best mate for seventeen years and a wonderful teacher in patience, bravour, faithfullness, and made me laugh every single day of these years together...
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What a beautiful story, thank you.
 
+1
Babylon said:
What a beautiful story, thank you.
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Ahh lovely, you were very lucky to have known him for all those years. Reminds me though, Charlie pre washes plates, helps me finish it too if I have to turn my back for any reason, gets very excited when we pass any beaches we know, and cuddles me when it gets cold. He also knows when its best to stay down below out of the way, ive just got to get the other aspects sorted
 
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Chrissie. Don't know if this helps but there are some 20" square paper nappie-like 'pee pads' on the market in Wilkinsons Fareham, that we used for our Patterdale we rescued 3 years ago;she wasn't fully house trained and we were told to get a new pad and impregnate with her last liquid offering and move it to a different place until we got her to the gravel patch we wanted. It works almost all the time except for fireworks nights when she won't go outside!
Try it at home first and then on the boat; we've never had the 'poo' area fixed though, but never indoors.

ianat182
 
Thank you Ian, I shall try them in a tray, I worry about how he will manage doing the poo circling without any room. To date he has always kept his legs crossed however long it is, but that could lead to health problems if he had to wait too long day after day.

Anyone have any ideas about training him as a lookout? tips on how to do it?
 
Boat Training for Dogs

Dog.jpg
 
That was an interesting website, thank you. where would I get a piece of astro turf? I could put a lanyard on it and dangle it through the water to get it clean.
 
Chrissie said:
That was an interesting website, thank you. where would I get a piece of astro turf? I could put a lanyard on it and dangle it through the water to get it clean.
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thank you for that reply.
we got our astro turf on e bay. may not be a good idea to trail it as too much pressure.
I put an eye on each corner & attached cord to them, i wash the turf down when Jake has finished & just hang it over the side it doesn't take long to dry off. Solids go into a doggy bag as you would on the land, to be disposed of in a bin.
 
ianat182 said:
Chrissie. Don't know if this helps but there are some 20" square paper nappie-like 'pee pads' on the market in Wilkinsons Fareham, that we used for our Patterdale we rescued 3 years ago;she wasn't fully house trained and we were told to get a new pad and impregnate with her last liquid offering and move it to a different place until we got her to the gravel patch we wanted.

ianat182
Click to expand...

We have just got a 5/6 month old rescue Patterdale!!!!
Only had him a week and already had a fabulous time on our boat at the weekend!
Great time with many more great times to come:):):)
 
My two pouches keep the cockpit seats warm, act as intruder alarms, and help my carbon footprint as galley waste disposal units. They recognise marinas and have gained a certain preference for one or two that have particular walks that they enjoy which can be gauged by the wagometer. Not good with giving up mooring lines. Don't have any astroturf ( good idea) but if despirate they have learnt as puppies to use the transome step which can be suitably hosed off.
 
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