Safe at sea: Tips for pet boat trips
By Keith Turner
July 21, 2008
In our ongoing series of summertime travel with your pup, DogCars came across a helpful piece in the Indianapolis Star that offers some tips to taking your dog on a boat for the first time.
Robert Keene Sr. of Berkeley, N.J., is a vice commander and public education officer of a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla, who often takes Annabelle, his 12-pound King Charles Cavalier and Shih Tzu mix, on board when he heads to sea.
“The No. 1 rule is to get a dog a life jacket that fits,” he says. “All your dog stores and boating shops have them.”
Even with a life jacket, you should make sure your dog is a good swimmer by taking them into a pond or pool for a little shallow water training. Then graduate your pup into a small boat to get her used to the water motion from inside the boat. Finally, introduce her to a full-size boat by allowing her to stand on the dock while the boat’s engine is running.
“Let him walk on and off the boat from the dock. Let him stay in the boat a little and get used to the motion,” Keene says. “Then, take him out on short trips first.”
If your dog slips or falls overboard, shut off the motor completely so you don’t endanger him with the motor’s propeller. Then use a boat hook to bring her back on board safely.
Read the complete story here.
Here’s wishing you safe and happy travels this summer.
I don’t think that life jacket is necessary in summer. The water is not cold and dogs can swim themselves without any big problems to their health.
Comment by MrBoating — July 22, 2008 @ 11:14 am
Well, Mr. Boating, you’re wrong on that. Dead wrong. Dogs are not naturally buoyant, they can’t swim forever and they aren’t able to make judgments as to which areas are safe and which are not.
In fact, I have known young, strong, dead-fit working retrievers who have drowned. Accidents happen. Any vet can fill you in on the details. Drownings and near-drownings are common in the summer.
And some breeds — most notably bulldogs — cannot swim at all. They sink and drown.
Your view makes as much sense as saying that people who know how to swim don’t need PFDs in the summer because the water is warm.
Stick to boating advice. You obviously aren’t qualified to give pet advice.
If you are boating with your dog, get a life jacket for the animal. Cabela’s has a good one.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 23, 2008 @ 4:41 pm
Ok… But I was not giving any advices. It’s only an opinion.
Comment by MrBoating — July 24, 2008 @ 10:34 am