Dogs on Boats

[maby]

Yes, This is Lilly the 10 stone Rottweiler that loved to sail with us; she was the friendliest dog to the point where she had more friends than me. My son and Lilly grew up together and they were inseparable; unfortunately, Lilly died last year; the trouble is that we were so used to having Lilly with us on board, this year sailing without her was no the same.

Her favourite trick was to lie down across the pontoons so people could stroke her as they were passing, but a lot of people would not dare cross over, she could not understand why people were so frighten of her.

I'm sorry that you lost her! However, my experience is that there is always another furry hard luck case waiting round the corner to occupy any vacancy that comes up with a dedicated animal lover!

My wife and I have had cats all our lives. When our last old moggy died (aged 19, having had diabetes for several years), we decided to not replace him so that we could live for ourselves for a while. That lasted just over a year until an undernourished waif of a black and white kitten turned up via a friend. We agreed to foster it while Cats Protection looked for a home - he's still here eighteen months later and now an experienced sailor!

 

[Searush]

Our 9 yo JR, Fudge wasn't to impressed with the boat at first, especially after she fell in trying to jump up the quay wall, but she has settled into the life now & altho always pleased to get ashore for a sniff & a run, she is no longer reluctant to come back aboard with us.

 

[geem]

We introduced our now sadly departed dog to yachting when she was 7, on board a 26' yacht. She took to it reasonably well, but tended to settle down in the cockpit well whilst sailing - gently sliding from one side to the other when we tacked. Under motor she was happy to get out of the cockpit and parade round on the foredeck in her lifejacket. We never sailed for more than about 6 hours in deference to her bladder. She (and SWMBO) were happier when we moved up to a 40' yacht! The previous advice is good - ease the dog into the sailing gently, with treats and encouragement and provided you are sensible it shouldn't be too much of a problem - the earlier the better.

Neil

Our two Patterdales come sailing. Just had three weeks onboard with longest passage of 24 hours. they dont like sails flogging but niether do we. they run for the bottom bunk when they are not happy. On balace, they seem happy i suspect mainly because they want to be with us. they do like the beach though and being in the dinghy and sea.

 

[Halo]

Each to his/her own but I find dogs on board a Bl**dy nuisance. Every other time I walk down the pontoon there are two of 'em barking and growling at me as I walk past. The owners make a show of attempting to quiet them but you can tell they really think I should not be disturbing them and their pets by walking past. I have sen it scaring kids as well.
Nearly as bad was a previous marina where the boat next door had two of the little darlings called "Tippy" and "Dippy" one of the owners (aka "Mummy") made an endless vocal fuss of them "ooo Tippy" "ooooDippy" all the time they were on board - it made me wretch.
I know its the owners not the dogs but I would prefer to dodge the irate terns during spring nesting at Royal Quays than some of the dogs and thier owners - at least you can keep terns off with an umbrella and you are not expected to appreciate the da*n things

 

[Sniper]

Each to his/her own but I find dogs on board a Bl**dy nuisance. Every other time I walk down the pontoon there are two of 'em barking and growling at me as I walk past. The owners make a show of attempting to quiet them but you can tell they really think I should not be disturbing them and their pets by walking past. I have sen it scaring kids as well.
Nearly as bad was a previous marina where the boat next door had two of the little darlings called "Tippy" and "Dippy" one of the owners (aka "Mummy") made an endless vocal fuss of them "ooo Tippy" "ooooDippy" all the time they were on board - it made me wretch.
I know its the owners not the dogs but I would prefer to dodge the irate terns during spring nesting at Royal Quays than some of the dogs and thier owners - at least you can keep terns off with an umbrella and you are not expected to appreciate the da*n things

As you say, each to their own. Substitute 'some children' for dogs in your piece and you get a different perspective

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

Each to his/her own but I find dogs on board a Bl**dy nuisance. Every other time I walk down the pontoon there are two of 'em barking and growling at me as I walk past. The owners make a show of attempting to quiet them but you can tell they really think I should not be disturbing them and their pets by walking past. I have sen it scaring kids as well.
Nearly as bad was a previous marina where the boat next door had two of the little darlings called "Tippy" and "Dippy" one of the owners (aka "Mummy") made an endless vocal fuss of them "ooo Tippy" "ooooDippy" all the time they were on board - it made me wretch.
I know its the owners not the dogs but I would prefer to dodge the irate terns during spring nesting at Royal Quays than some of the dogs and thier owners - at least you can keep terns off with an umbrella and you are not expected to appreciate the da*n things

Dog owners are the problem rather than the dogs (and sometimes, those who irate the poor terns)

 

[maby]

As you say, each to their own. Substitute 'some children' for dogs in your piece and you get a different perspective

Actually, "some adults" is a valid substitution as well - never been kept awake by some selfish git with loud music partying late?

 

[TeamSpirit]

10wks and accomplished sailor !
Toileting is priority and arranging passages around short trips helpful. When it gets rough they go below otherwise they sit either at my feet or next to the helm watching the world go by - sailing equals long walks and I am sure they recognise he destinations as they get more excited in some locations as they know their is woods fields etc close by.
On reflection smaller dogs might have been preferable for sailing but not for shooting !

 

[Big-Bang1]

We have recently (3 weeks ago) taken on a JackRussle cross Chihuahua. He's 10 months old and amazing! He's great with the Children, only barks if he needs to go outside and has spent the last weekend on our boat with us (My wife and our three children). During that time he has watched the Red Arrows and a huge firework display (Fowey Regatta), been rowed arround in the dinghy by the kids and got to run on the beach. Whilst we have been along side the Pontoon he sits on the foredeck and watches the world go by, people on neighbouring boats have tried to give him treats - which he ignores and he hasn't had a single accident....so long as cocking his leg on the big metal tree in the middle of my boat isn't classed as an accident!
We were dubious about taking him with us, but on reflection I'm sure it was the right thing to do. He's enjoyed being abord with us much more than he would have enjoyed being locked up in kennals I'm sure.
My only caveat would be he's a small dog and a boxer is a bigger bouncier beast! But try it and see how your dog gets on, if it turns out to be a drama you don't have to do it again.
HTH