Doggy Lifejackets

Welcome to the mad house!
I think it depends on where you intend to sail - inshore/offshore/fresh water lake etc - and what size boat - cruiser/mobo/dinghy/ etc - and whether the dog is a naturally good swimmer.

I have an ageing black Labrador which used to be a fantastic swimmer. I tried him once in a life-jacket but he did not like it, and annoyingly does not look happy/comfortable on my boat (9m sailing boat) but likes going in the dinghy.

I like to think he could swim the short distance to shore or I could haul him inboard over the low sides.

If ever he was to accompany me on a further offshore trip in the sailing boat then I'd probably make him wear the doggy LJ.

What sort of boat/dog
 
Just check that the bulk of the flotation foam is on the back, not under the mutt's chest, and that there's a handle loop on top as well.


I suppose that AIS and a radar beacon would also be quite useful for an offshore version. (Mike Peyton could have had fun with that concept ! )
 
The main advantage is that provides a handle to lift the Lab or whatever out of water or muddy creek etc. Even a smaller dog such as a spaniel are quite hard to lift from the water on to the stern. The jacket might also make him easier to spot in water if at sea. generally we have found dogs will take to life jackets but sometimes hard to find correct fit so do shop around for your friend at a few good outfitters to find most suitable make.
 
My mut has a lifejacket but being a husky/sheperd/lab cross he has so much fur he tends to get very hot in it so if the water is fairly calm I'll leave him in his harness as that has a loop on the back for easy lifting, I have no idea if he is a good swimmer or not as he hates water(well handy) so keeps well away from it, he's happy on the boat or in the dinghy but there's no way he's going in if he can help it.
He once stepped off the footpath in front a 4x4 rather than walk through a puddle, I never claimed he was clever.....

Edit to add: We did have to modify the underside of the LJ to make it a bit more todger friendly as the belly strap was too long, our hound is a big dog on short legs so a bit of an odd shape, I think the make is petsaver.
 
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sarabande said:
Just check that the bulk of the flotation foam is on the back, not under the mutt's chest, and that there's a handle loop on top as well.

Well said.

I suppose that AIS and a radar beacon would also be quite useful for an offshore version. (Mike Peyton could have had fun with that concept ! )
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Indeed, Mr Peyton would.
 
Thanks everyone!

the comments about having a way to lift them out of the water is probably good enough reason to try him with one. Whether he will be comfortable with it on remains to be seen. I am hoping he likes being on the boat. It would be a shame if we had to leave him at home.

I post to say how we got on :)
 
Enjoy! :) I found the dog actually improves our cruising trips. Too often without him I will get to the destination and then procrastinate on the boat missing out on the destinations offerings. With the dog as soon as the hook is out he's either on the swim platform or on the tender already waiting to go out. Come the following morning he ensures we maximise the day's hours too :) because try as we may the dog will refuse to use any artificial grass or post etc we lay out for him.
 
SnaxMuppet said:
Thanks everyone!

the comments about having a way to lift them out of the water is probably good enough reason to try him with one. Whether he will be comfortable with it on remains to be seen. I am hoping he likes being on the boat. It would be a shame if we had to leave him at home.

I post to say how we got on :)
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Most dogs that I know around the marina are perfectly happy in a lifejacket - and you will definitely be glad that he is wearing it the first time you have to pull him out. Most also seem to have a great time in the marina and on boats - but they can easily get seasick, so break him in gently. If you take him on board for the first time and immediately set off into a force 8 with the boat slamming all over the place, you will probably put him off for life - do several short runs in calm conditions first to get him used to the idea before you try going further afield.
 
We have them for ours and Imo, they're a must if out on the water. However, they don't particularly like them as they are bulky on them (pugs) but they get used to them. They can also get very hot in them which is why we also have harnesses for them which they wear when walking around marinas and along the pontoons. This means a) they can't slip out of them if they fall in the drink (trust me...I know!) and b) I can grab them out easily.
L
:)
 
I have a Rhodesian Ridgeback 38kg of it. she fell in the marina in France last year as her wheelbase is slightly longer than the width of the finger she was turning around on.When she fell in she can swim well but with the height of the pontoon and me kneeling I could not lift her out due to where my centre of balance was, luckily a friend came along and grabbed the other end of the dog and we both got her out.I got her a Crewsaver dog lifejacket which she is quite happy to wear and it has a handle on the back. https://www.facebook.com/mge.guerns...532105945953/1945505419015287/?type=3&theater You may need to be a Facebbook member to see this ?
 
Ours weighs 3.5 Kg -lifting a little easier .We keep his harness on in the marina and have a LV when out .
He,s got a GF further up on the pontoon called Lulu she's a Yorky and French .
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I agree, I would struggle on my own but a lifejacket will keep the dog afloat, it will give you a handle to support the dog other than garrotting the dog with the collar or holding it by the scruff of the neck. Two people with a 38kg dog and a lifejacket could probably pick the dog up out of the water on to a pontoon. Standing up on the pontoon you can but your centre of balance is good.
 
SnaxMuppet said:
We have a dog and just bought a boat... what do people think of putting a lifejacket on your dog? Do you do it?
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Our lab is a great swimmer but he doesn't have a handle on his back. No idea how else i'd get him onto a marina pontoon let alone the boat without one. I've pulled him out of the marina 3 or 4 times with the handle, and it's easy.

He always puts it on as he gets out of the car. Only takes it off in the cabin, and always wears it on deck. He can run and do his business in it, and is completely comfortable - he gets excited when we get it out as he knows he'd going boating. We keep poo bags in the little pouch which is handy too. Only downside is he can get hot if running in summer.

When dinghying to the shore he knows to only jump in and swim once the jacket is removed, otherwise he tries to stay in the dinghy.

In Brixham nearly 2 years ago he slipped getting ashore for his morning pee. Landed on his tummy half on the pontoon. From a height of about 6".

He fell in in agony. We pulled him out with his handle, but he couldn't move.

He had burst his bladder and had a £7k repair bill. But I am certain the jacket saved his life.

So yes I do it and will always do it.

(and don't say the jacket cost £7k, the alternative would have cost a house :) )
 
SnaxMuppet said:
We have a dog and just bought a boat... what do people think of putting a lifejacket on your dog? Do you do it?
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Yes. It's primary purpose is the safety of family members who may panic and jump in after the little Cavaliers should they fall in, its secondary purpose is to save the dog.

The dogs are only allowed in the aft cockpit and on deck, when on deck they always wear their life jackets - to buy time, visibility in the water, and the jackets harness grab handle which the boat hook can grab. Dog jackets also used when going ashore in tender from anchorages or swinging moorings.
 
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