Mrs Sea Mist II
Well-Known Member
Mollie, our newly acquired 11 month old rescue border collie, is to come down to the boat with us for the first time. Do any of you have any hints and tips as to how to settle a dog aboard. 
Settling a new dog aboard
- Thread starter Mrs Sea Mist II
- Start date
Sandyman
Well-Known Member
We have two Jacks onboard. Found that to give them there own space/area with bedding helped to settle them in.
trapezeartist
Well-Known Member
1. Drop dog in water.
2. Sail approx half a mile.
3. Wait for dog to catch up.
4. Haul dog on board.
Dog now knows that the boat is a much better place to be than in the marina/river/sea. QED.
2. Sail approx half a mile.
3. Wait for dog to catch up.
4. Haul dog on board.
Dog now knows that the boat is a much better place to be than in the marina/river/sea. QED.
fmoran
Well-Known Member
Our cocker spaniel Bramble has been sailing for 9 years and has done almost 11,000 sea miles to date. He has sailed from the Solent to Scotland twice, and did it again in 2008 via the Scilly's and Baltimore. In 2009 he circumnavigated Ireland with us. Overnight and long sails are no problem, he just makes his way to the foredeck to relieve himself. He really does like the water and we have a terry towel with a zip up the back and a hole for his head to dry him out in - bit like a sauna but stops the inside of the boat get wet and sandy. He broke his front leg on the last day of 2008 trip, but still managed the last 80 miles to Largs in great pain. Was out sailing again in 2 weeks !.
So tips: have his/her own basket/bed below, do a few VERY long trips with him soon - like 15 hours plus to get him to poo/pee on the deck, just walk up and around with him on the lead. Give him food at normal times, also let him sit on your lap in the cockpit when sailing. In fact our guy used really enjoy the sailing as he was assured of being close to us and getting attention! Also its great to be able to sail at your own pace not the dogs need to get ashore regularly. Also he was such great company and a great companion to have when sailing - the wife and myself would have come adrift without him on our long cruises!
Unfortunately he passed away 10 days ago after having cancer for some time, so we are most likely going to put our training to test again soon.
So tips: have his/her own basket/bed below, do a few VERY long trips with him soon - like 15 hours plus to get him to poo/pee on the deck, just walk up and around with him on the lead. Give him food at normal times, also let him sit on your lap in the cockpit when sailing. In fact our guy used really enjoy the sailing as he was assured of being close to us and getting attention! Also its great to be able to sail at your own pace not the dogs need to get ashore regularly. Also he was such great company and a great companion to have when sailing - the wife and myself would have come adrift without him on our long cruises!
Unfortunately he passed away 10 days ago after having cancer for some time, so we are most likely going to put our training to test again soon.
NormanS
Well-Known Member
Mollie, our newly acquired 11 month old rescue border collie, is to come down to the boat with us for the first time. Do any of you have any hints and tips as to how to settle a dog aboard.
Instal a lamp post.
exfinnsailor
Well-Known Member
TamarMike
Well-Known Member
Won't work...dog falls in - swims for shore (probably by scent rather than sight) - if tide is out you may have to retrieve dog from soft sticky mud which he thinks is great fun to play in
Ian_Edwards
Well-Known Member
We’ve just trained new dog for life on board, we started by taking the dog to the boat, before taking her home, at 10 weeks old, she spent first 3 weeks of life with us on the boat with us and then we took her home. Now 18 months on the boat is a second home. The dog is quite comfortable and happy on board, she has her own bedding and space along with a collection of “boat toys”. She’s cruised the North West Coast of Scotland and Orkney, crossed the Pentland Firth a couple of times and been round Cape Wrath twice. This year, for excitement, we got as far south as the lights of Tobermory!
Teal - She's a Leonberger
This year----------------------11 weeks old
Teal - She's a Leonberger
This year----------------------11 weeks old
rivonia
Well-Known Member
Very sorry to hear your loss, I know it hurts a lot
mikejbuk
Well-Known Member
Whoof
I sail with a big and energetic Labrador. He loves the boat and has never been a hindrance. He has a mad 45 minutes running round on deck, barking at mobo's (good boy), and sniffing the sea air, then settles down in the cockpit for the rest of the day. He always wears a life jacket (has never needed it), and if rough I put him below.
I keep him tied on in the cockpit away from ropes and winches when sailing hard, but generally let him do his own thing.
Try to keep claws as short as possible, a) - Allows dog to grip better and B) - minimises scratches to gel coat and teak. I also put carpet down below when he was a puppy to prevent scratches.
I did break him into boating gently. I have known of others who can’t even get the dog onto the pontoon. Take him to the boat for a look around before going sailing, we walked the yard and pontoons, and then once happy put him on the boat for a sniff. The next visit we went for a motor up the river. I think the gradual progression helped, imagine seeing water, ducks, boats, pontoons for the first time then being thrown around on the sea for a day.
Toilet training was easy; when they get desperate they go and naturally choose an area away from us. In my case the fore deck. I praised him a few times- much to his bemusement. It has not been a problem since.
Now to get SWMBO trained to the same standard!
If Solent based PM me for a list of dog friendly pubs.
I sail with a big and energetic Labrador. He loves the boat and has never been a hindrance. He has a mad 45 minutes running round on deck, barking at mobo's (good boy), and sniffing the sea air, then settles down in the cockpit for the rest of the day. He always wears a life jacket (has never needed it), and if rough I put him below.
I keep him tied on in the cockpit away from ropes and winches when sailing hard, but generally let him do his own thing.
Try to keep claws as short as possible, a) - Allows dog to grip better and B) - minimises scratches to gel coat and teak. I also put carpet down below when he was a puppy to prevent scratches.
I did break him into boating gently. I have known of others who can’t even get the dog onto the pontoon. Take him to the boat for a look around before going sailing, we walked the yard and pontoons, and then once happy put him on the boat for a sniff. The next visit we went for a motor up the river. I think the gradual progression helped, imagine seeing water, ducks, boats, pontoons for the first time then being thrown around on the sea for a day.
Toilet training was easy; when they get desperate they go and naturally choose an area away from us. In my case the fore deck. I praised him a few times- much to his bemusement. It has not been a problem since.
Now to get SWMBO trained to the same standard!
If Solent based PM me for a list of dog friendly pubs.