Last chance to avoid arrival of puppy

[Chris_Robb]

Having now bought a new boat (Oceanlord) it seems that the quid per quo with SWMBO was that she could have a springer puppy. Now this definitely was not agreed!

So what are the problems of training a puppy on a boat - in particular when we go ashore temporarily (for a meal). Can they be left - do you lock them down below, chain them in the cockpit under the spray hood or what?

I do rather like the idea of another dog - we have always had one until the last started pushing up the daisies a couple of years ago.

Going to France I suppose is out of the questions as the regulations only allow you to return through a few entry ports - so my daughter has promised to tale him then.

So last chance to put my foot down - what does the team think? /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[johnalison]

Next-door has a springer (+boat). It's completely bonkers. Can't even navigate.

 

[Evadne]

I'm afraid the two phrases "put your foot down" and "SWMBO" in the same sentence are not compatible. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif You're doomed.
I suggest taking the puppy down to the boat several times before actually going sailing, and especially before starting the engine, so it gets to think of it as part of its territory. And if it is to be a Spaniel, be prepared to replace anything chewable (shoes, charts, carpets, etc.) And don't try appealing to it's intelligence, they are second only to Red Setters in that department.

 

[Chris_Robb]

Oh gawd - what have i let myself in for? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[BAtoo]

[ QUOTE ]
Oh gawd - what have i let myself in for? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Quite alot I think!! Assuming you have a boat left after its chewed everything you have a boat full of hairs/muddy feet & the hassle of getting it ashore twice a day to "do its business" - unless of course your boat never leaves it's berth /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

And you are right - dogs can only travel abroad on commercial vessels- so that means kennel fees or friends......

Put your foot down before its too late!!

 

[ParaHandy]

the word "springer" (and the fact that's what they tend to do) might be a clue ... !!

 

[Chris_Robb]

I really thought I had squashed this line of thought - just shows you, bl$!&y wimen....

By the way - Wicor do have spaces on the pontoons

 

[Goldie]

At least you won't be the only one in the doghouse! Any idea what the bladder endurance of a Spaniel is?

See you at Wicor (G26).

 

[LymingtonPugwash]

What!!?? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif You're going to let it onboard? Are you crazy? I'm sure it's never too early for it to learn the doggy paddle all the way to France and back! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I'm sure you'll be kind enough to allow it to be connected via a line, and if it tires it can scamble onto the rubadub which you'll be kindly towing! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Chris_Robb]

Hi - we will be on B8, one of the new pontoons. I think I spoke to you or one of your colleagues 2 weekends ago - you were at the end of the jetty about to get into your dinghy.

Our last springer had a very tough bladder - so hopefully it will be the same! it will be a done deal I think tomorrow. Actually I am quite looking forward to it in a funny way!

We hopefully will be sailing the boat back from Ipswich over the Easter weekend - so see you after that!

 

[stevebrassett]

[ QUOTE ]
Any idea what the bladder endurance of a Spaniel is?

[/ QUOTE ]
Ours will do 8 hours or so.

 

[pragmatist]

Our boxer used to be able to manage 18 hrs if she had to ! But then she is extra-special - it may be that being short in the brains dept she doesn't notice but seriously you can have a long sail, tie up, get out the beer and she just lounges about and doesn't demand to be taken ashore immediately. Boxers have nice short coats and don't typically like to get wet - persuade your wife to have one instead of a Springer /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[alldownwind]

A springer, eh? If SHMBO is really determined, at least try and persuade her to get a bitch not a dog. We had a male springer, lovely dog, total nutcase until the day he died (at 13). Won prizes at training classes, but a mind of his own outside them. A bitch would (should) be a bit quieter, and as a bonus the piddles might be less random in direction. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Goldie]

No, not me I'm afraid - I haven't been down for a few weeks. Look forward to seeing you there after Easter - pop over and say hi (new crew member particularly welcome!). I think G26 is on the channel side of the pontoon nearest the jetty. It's a new berth for us due to the re-organisation and new pontoons. See you there and have a good trip round from Ipswich, our registered port.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Hi Chris.

We have a Labrador (which we don't take sailing - she is a working dog and lives in a kennel and run outside). However, my old dog training friend whose rabbit run I used to use when training our Labs used to call Springers "All accelerator and no brakes or steering...!".

 

[Chris_Robb]

The last one was like that - he was also greedy - couldn't leave anything anywhere - he would get it. What have I let myself infor?

 

[Chrissie]

I sail with my dog when I cant find anywhere else to leave him. He is a black cocker spaniel, so loves swimming, great when he is damp smelly and curled up on the floor just under the bunk.
Also he has sort of learnt that he can squat over the cock pit drain holes when desparate, so a bucket for slushing is kept available.
When we get to a landing stage, he is off faster than you can say pass the lead, so whilst I am mooring the boat he is cocking his leg over every post on the pontoon, makes me very unpopular, but then the choice is the howling and anxious crying of a desparate dog who can see the posts but cant get to them as he is tied up, either way there will be someone glaring at me!
Dinner time, there is no way the dog wants to be left on an empty boat whilst the family are walking off past lots of lovely trees and posts to sit by a fire in a nice pub, so again he cries, the who;e time, again, more glares!
Trying to persuade him to 'hurry up' whilst we clutch the poop scoop and watch the tide we wanted slowly slipping away is also good fun, but then better than the guilty look of 'well it had been three hours' from the dog as we clean our deck shoes.
Add to that, the rustling of packaging as our dinner vanishes whilst we are busy on deck, and the alternative guilty look of 'well it smelt so nice, you can always have my tin' on dogs face!
Apart from that, they are company, someone else to shout at (er, sorry, to,)when things get hectic.

 

[Chris_Robb]

Hi - sounds just like our last one - except when he stole food he didn't look guilty, just reconed it was his right!

We are just going off to look at pup designated to us (4 weeks old) so I somehow don't think I am going to wriggle out of this one now.

 

[snowleopard]

Just heard a yell from downstairs. We have neighbour's dogs - collie/spaniel cross - for the weekend and one (age 18 months) has just crapped on the carpet. Don't go there!

 

[Windfall]

[ QUOTE ]
We are just going off to look at pup designated to us (4 weeks old) so I somehow don't think I am going to wriggle out of this one now.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not a chance. We took some anti dog friends with us when we went to view our potential puppy, they had been specially charged with keeping us from purchasing...they were completely useless (you know who you are) and if there'd been any puppies not reserved I think they might have had one too.

Enjoy.