Is boating going to the dogs?

Just Getting Started.

You’ve just adopted a new pet and you want to introduce the dog to boating. What a great idea! However, don’t assume your dog will like your boat and enjoy the water. While golden retrievers and Labradors seem to have saltwater running through their veins, many breeds prefer firm, stable surfaces. A rocking deck can be anything but stable.

Make Sure It Fits
Our four-legged friends have enough to worry about when joining us on boating adventures. PFDs offer the safety and protection of flotation in sleek, ergonomic designs that won’t hinder swimming performance. Although in order to be fully effective, it is imperative the personal flotation device fits the animal properly. To follow is a sizing chart to get you started.
The first thing you should do is acclimate the animal to the new environment while the boat is still tied to the dock. Let the dog get used to its surroundings. Have it wear its PFD during this acclimation period.

Next, start your engine(s) and see if the sound disturbs the animal. My dog couldn’t care less about the sound of an engine, but thunder, a firecracker or any sudden loud noise, and he freaks! It’s better to be safe than sorry, for both you and the well-being of your pet.

Take short trips at first to allow your pet to get acclimated to the pitch and roll of boating. You’ll find that just like people, some dogs do get seasick! Over-the-counter seasick remedies work on animals as well, though I would consult your veterinarian before administering any medication.

Sun Protection.

We all hope for warm, sunny days when we go boating. That’s fine for us, but if we decide to bring our dog along for the ride, we have to pay special attention because too much of a good thing can do more harm than good. Dogs can suffer the same types of heat emergencies that people can. This includes heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Make sure your vessel is equipped with a shaded area where your pet can escape the scorching sun. Hopefully, there is air movement to aid in keeping the animal cool. I’ve found that periodically wetting down the animals insulating coat helps keep them more comfortable.

Protect their paws. Dogs absorb cold and heat through their footpads and you need to be aware that they don’t burn their paws on the hot fiberglass deck.

Doing Their Duty.

Just like you, after a couple of hours on the boat, dogs need to “use the head.” You have a few options here.

You can always go ashore every few hours and let them do their business. Remember to clean up after your dog. Marine Sanitation Environmental Laws should be respected; even though this is not human waste – it still causes bacterial problems. In fact, depending on where you go ashore, there may very well be animal waste laws in effect!
When landfall is not possible, you can train your dog to do his/her business in a specific spot, such as on the swim platform, if applicable. A box of sod or a piece of Astroturf may work as well It’s hard work, but it can be done. If you’re going to island hop or cruise for long distances, this would probably be the best bet.

All in all, boating with the family pet is a great addition to this already wonderful sport. With a little preparation and by paying special attention to your animals needs, you can insure a fun and safe trip is had by all.

Wayne Spivak joined the USCG Auxiliary after 7 years in the US Power Squadrons. A Catalyst for his joining were the tragic events of 9/11. Spivak is an instructor as well as a Vessel Safety Examiner. He has served in a variety of appointed position at the Flotilla, Division, District and National levels. Currently he is on the staff of the Chief Director of the Auxiliary in Washington, DC, as well as serving as the Director, Media Communications of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association, Inc. wspivak@sbanetweb.com