Seadog training

[BlueSkyNick]

Our decision making processes have been poor. I am extremely happy that we bought our boat earlier in the year, but we had acquired a new puppy in September 2002.

This hasn't been a problem this year, because one or other of the teenagers have been around. However, as time goes on they will be evicted from the house, leaving us in sole charge of the dog.

He is a labrador named Dave by the boys, who will probably be with us for at least the next 10 years. In order to get maximum use of the boat, and look after Dave in a responsible manner, it makes sense to train him as a sailor.

I'd be grateful for any advice on how to go about developing his sea legs, to the extent that sailing is a pleasurable experience for all of us. Also, where should he settle while we are under way, how to get him on board etc.

He has been microchipped and will have a passport, so we can take him to France, but that's a long way for him to keep his legs crossed, innit?

<hr width=100% size=1>If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

 

[polarity]

Its a difficult one. My pooch was brought up traveling and living aboard my boat and never did really get the the hang of the poop deck, or even the at-sea-pee. One trick was once he got pretty desperate I would put him in the cockpit and produce his harness and lead... the association was made and he relieved himself as a reflex. Would only work when he really need to go though.

One thing to be aware of is you can take the hound out on the yacht, but you must use an authorised carrier to bring him back in.<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/procedures/support-info/routes.htm>http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/procedures/support-info/routes.htm</A>

From what I understand some dogs love it and some hate it! Take him for a quick sail and see. Dont forget the doggy lifejacket (more for vis and retreival than flotation).

Also a big wet lab in a little boat will be fun! Mine had his own safe box covered on all sides and top, where he could hide if the going got rough or he was getting in the way. - But then my pooch is definately a fair weather sailor...

Paul

<hr width=100% size=1>Paul
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.polarity2.com/LatestNews.htm>http://www.polarity2.com/LatestNews.htm</A>

 

[l'escargot]

He will adapt to the boat in the same way he adapted to the house but you can't take him abroad on your boat. Even with a passport he will have to travel with an approved carrier.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/procedures/support-info/routes.htm>http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/procedures/support-info/routes.htm</A>

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[poter]

Nick
we also have a Golden lab dog, but he is 5 years old... still a pup (in his brain anyway) although like all labs he is a great swimmer, he is also a clumsy great mut. Also like most Labs he does not like unstable structures underfoot and it takes a lot of patience to get him onto a boat. And that’s before you train them to pee in the cockpit drain.

As they are part of the family do persevere ...Oh and make sure you get a pet life jacket..hauling 30 to 40 kilo's of wet Lab onboard is no joke & without a jacket almost impossible. I know I've tried much to the detriment of my gelcoat & the dogs injured pride.

Good luck

poter

I was going to say you can't take him with you to France if you want to bring him back, but already covered above.

I am not to sure what the deal is if you keep the pet onboard? maybe someone here has an idea!
<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by poter on 28/10/2003 22:41 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

Just a couple of pointers to help.

Suggest while still a pup, that you should news paper train him now, most pups have their first steps on newspaper so it should come as second nature. This means when you get on board you can lay paper where you want him to go. He will have to go at some point.

I considered also carrying a litter box with cat litter but then I fitted a stainless mesh foredeck, this is where mine go, a quick mop and bleach and is as good as new, though in an anchorage we do get wierd looks, I think people must think we don't clean it. Having a cat with dogs is quite usefull, the boat I mean /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

We always keep lots of treats on board, so the dogs know when they come to the boat it is a happy time, so rather than lock them in the cabin when you need them out of the way, give some jumbones or the like and they will be occupied and out of the way.

Consider a crate, They fold flat, you should be able to put a retriever sized crate in the spare berth, make it his safe place, when the weather gets bumpy our dogs go into theirs for their own security, lots of blankets and a cover over the top keeps them warm in winter. Also has the advantage of being able to lock it up, so you can go ashore without the worry of what he gets up to, though you should not lock him in the crate too long. Dogs will not mess in their crate, like wild dogs in their den, so 4 hours is starting to push it. Generally once tucked up in the crate he will just sleep until you return.

Get a lifejacket, even though he is a water dog, he will get tired, and the water is cold now. Dog jackets come with handles, this is the best thing ever for getting the dog on board, and pulling him out of the water if the worst happens, try to imagine getting a wet retriever back on board if he slips of the pontoon etc.

Hope this is of some help.

<hr width=100% size=1>Julian

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.topcatsail.co.uk/TC_IrishCruise_2003_00.html>Irish Cruise</A>

 

[zefender]

Ours comes with us occasionally but we still do the stop every 3/4 hours thing so he can 'use shoreside facilities'. Ours has one of those doggie bouyancy aid things but is also tied to a d-ring. He prefers to be up in the cockpit, either on the sole or by the windward winch! Sometimes he's quite happy in the saloon. When he starts sliding off the cockpit seats, it's usually time to put the first reef in!

I heard of others being able to toilet train their dog for longer passages.

Be sure you know about the dog abroad thing though. I don't think you can take the dog back on board. As far as I know, it has to be on specified ferries/planes and the within-24-hours-vet certificate issue can make it tricky unless the weather is assured coming back.

Getting him onboard depends on the dog. Despite berthing stern to at the mooring and thus a one foot level hop to the boat, he just won't do it and has to be carried. This might be a bit of a challenge with a 10 stone Labrador!

It took a while for us to be able to leave him on board in the evening whilst we went for something to eat. I had nightmares about doors and panels scratched to hell. But in fact, he settled down quite well and has become used to it.

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[Gordonmc]

Our pup was about four months old when he went for his first trip involving overnights on moorings/anchor and is now used to it. When it blows he tends to go below and have a kip... no sign yet of any seasickness which I am told can be a problem.
He actually got his toilet routine together fairly quickly, going out to the cockpit for a poo or pee. We found newspaper wasn't muck cop as the pee just runs off. I use baby changing pads for the engine drip tray and deployed one of those which was far better, the plastic backing means you can roll them up for disposal. When he's older I will try a tip, to get a couple of square feet of astroturf to go on the foredeck. When the business is done just throw the lot over the side on a bit of string for a wash.

He wears a lifejacket all the time when not below which is especially useful when getting in and out of the boat, from dinghy or pontoon. When I am singlehanding he frets when I have to go forward so it won't be long before he has to be clipped on.

So far he is happy enough as long as he gets a good walk once we get ashore.

But he still doesn't know the difference between a halyard and a sheet.



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[Windfall]

'But he still doesn't know the difference between a halyard and a sheet.'

Ha! we've just bought a Portuguese Water Dog - breeder told us we would be able to teach him to jump ashore and tie the boat up! Not quite sure how we do that..but it would certainly be handy!

But I am looking forward to having something warm and cuddly to share those long night watches with!

Watch this space.

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[Spuddy]

There's the old tale of the ships dog on a smack that used to steer her back to the mooring while the crew were cleaning fish.
" I hear your dog sails your boat, my man. Is it any good?"
" Not really. He do pinch her"

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[Birdseye]

"This hasn't been a problem this year, because one or other of the teenagers have been around. However, as time goes on they will be evicted from the house, leaving us in sole charge of the dog."

I admire your confidence!


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[iangrant]

Good luck Nick
We had an ageing retriever and she hated the boat because she started late in life, she would huff and shake,, no good, gave it up used kennels instead.

Now we have two cocker spaniels that love it because they went on board as puppies.

Best bits about having a dog on board.
er......

Worst bits about having a dog on board:
Getting up to dinghy them ashore at 06:30 on a Sunday morning.
Washing the sand/mud off sheets/decks/everything.
Dragging them off other peoples sugar scoop transoms when ferrying ashore in the dinghy when rafted up. (6 am)
The constant worry of them falling overboard.
Sitting outside the pub in the evening
Mopping up the dribble and water bowl spills.
Chasing them accross mud flats after segulls,
Watching them jump off the jetty into pure black mud,

Tip - buy a non spill water bowl, it has a lid, works quite well, ask in pet shop the'll understand.
Buy a hoover,
Buy a zippy towel dog bag to put him in.

etc... etc....



Ian





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