Dogs and boats

[Wave34]

I had a German Sheppard in the 80s but after this dog, I've been dog-less since then. Wife and I working outside, we didn't want a dog to stay alone every days.

Since we are now close to retirement, the idea of having a dog is more and more present.
BUT, a big BUT, we just bought a boat last year (first boat) and are enjoying it, with many multiple days vacations.

I know 2 persons with dogs on boat.
The first one is a very small dog that goes on a pee-pad, so it is easy to put that in a garbage bag until the next marina.
Not an option for me since I would like a bigger dog, like a Labrador.

The other guy has a bigger dog, puddle style, and every time the dog needs to go, he has to put the dingy in the water and bring the dog on land. Too much trouble for me, so not an option.

Is there another option to accommodate a bigger dog on longer trip?

Silly question, but, can a dog pee or poo in water? Does it float and chase boats and swimmers? LOL

Or maybe I should just forget the dog and focusing on the boat....

Any boat owners here that go multiple days on water?

 

[Grub54891]

Best to take any pet boating from a young age. You can get some artificial grass, just a couple square feet, and train them to go on that. Preferably on the swim platform. Easy clean up area also. My dog does not like boating much, my fault for not taking her out when she was a puppy.

 

[tacx]

Do yourself a favor and forget the dog. Your going to retire and sounds like you are going to be doing some traveling with and without your boat. Why create the burden? Even more important, don't impose on your friends and relatives to watch your dog while your away

 

[Wave34]

Best to take any pet boating from a young age. You can get some artificial grass, just a couple square feet, and train them to go on that. Preferably on the swim platform. Easy clean up area also. My dog does not like boating much, my fault for not taking her out when she was a puppy.

Good suggestion on the grass on the swim plate.
And yes, if I get a dog, I will have a puppy, like I did for my German Sheppard.

 

[Wave34]

Do yourself a favor and forget the dog. Your going to retire and sounds like you are going to be doing some traveling with and without your boat. Why create the burden? Even more important, don't impose on your friends and relatives to watch your dog while your away

That's why I'm questioning myself.
I don't want to transfer the responsibility of my dog to other people.
If I get a dog, it's to be a 'member' of the family and to be with us as much as possible.

With the arrival of the boat, our retirement projects have changed, more travel in view.

 

[jkust]

Big picture, if you travel frequently, the cost to board your dog is not inexpensive. We are not dog people where as most people we know that have dogs, shouldn't as they are too busy to properly train and take care of them affecting others. I wouldn't want to be in the position of dealing with a dog on the boat for a day on the water. Have seen a lot of damage to interiors from folks on my lake who bring their dogs with. We've noticed that standards go down for the folks we know who have dogs....feces/urine in the house, yard, neighbors yard, barking, damage to stuff as part of the ownership experience, etc.

 

[southkogs]

I've had three retrievers. The lab (current) is probably the last one I would trap on a boat for too long. He's a true water dog and loves to be out on the boat. But he's a complete ball of energy, even at 3, and needs some space to go nuts each day. He's the only one of all of our dogs who's ever managed to go to the bathroom in the water, but it was an accident because he was WAY wound up. I couldn't leave it floating around for the next folks, so we collected it (eeeewwww).

Neither of my goldens ever went in the water like that. They were calmer dogs, and exceptionally obedient. But if I was unwilling to run them to shore every several hours, then I would not condemn them to multiple days on board a boat. Even as much as they both loved to be on board and around the water.

There might be an onboard pee-pad option of some kind (you can always paper train a dog), but it's difficult to give them one type of relief at home and another type while traveling and not expect the two to become confused. Additionally, stowing the "dog exhaust" for the hours you don't want to port in - particularly in warmer weather - may not be all that pleasant either.

 

[legalfee]

We have two Cavaliers and they ride on our pontoon boat. We've never had a problem. They go before they get on the boat and we let them off on an island if we're out for any length of time.

 

[JimS123]

If anyone travels a lot, they shouldn't own a dog. Even if they are willing to spend the big bucks for a kennel, leaving the dog in a cage does no good to the dog.

If anyone even thinks that pooping on the swim platform and letting it float to other boats whose owners inevitably swim in the water, then they shouldn't own a dog.....or a boat either for that matter.

We often stop on a remote island to swim and have a cookout. Lately, the nicer spots have been inundated with dog poop. Those people should not only not own a boat, they should be arrested for violation of the pooper-scooper laws.

Pick one - the boat or the dog. If the boat is a must have, leave the dog home with the wife and go out in the boat with friends. That way you can drink beer, look at bikinis and everybody is happy......LOL.

Dog ownership is just like having children....its a responsibility. Not just for the dog, but for other people that you come across as well. Everybody chooses their own lifestyle....and that's OK. Just don't burden others with your choices.

 

[tpenfield]

Big dogs love boats . . .


They can help out with the lines . . .


I'd recommend a boarding ladder . . .


We generally try to anchor as close to shore as possible. The dog will have to go frequently so you may as well get used to the going ashore routine. Our dog just jumps in and swims since it is not too far.

 

[MRS]

Are dog likes to fish to he will check the rods to see whats going on. We just bought him a pontoon cause the boat was a little small for him 92lb.s. We do take him to shore so he can run and do what dogs do every couple of hours.

 

[legalfee]

Our dogs like to ride on the boat!

 

[jkust]

Dog ownership is just like having children....its a responsibility. Not just for the dog, but for other people that you come across as well. Everybody chooses their own lifestyle....and that's OK. Just don't burden others with your choices.

As I mentioned we don't do dog's but over the holidays one of the guests, knows we have cats and not dogs and in no way shape could have a dog in the house, brought a dog with for dinner. They walked it in on a leash into our home without saying a word as though in any universe that was ok. They travel a lot, like a huge amount and decided it would be ok to surprise us with their dog. I know almost no actual responsible dog owners no matter their status in life.

 

[gm280]

We had two Siberian Huskies that has since passed away. It was extremely hard to get over their passing. If you really love dogs, I say go for it. The pleasure they offer the entire family can't be replaced with anything else. And really, what is the big deal stopping to allow them to potty every now and then when out boating? JMHO

 

[Wave34]

Thanks for your feedback.

It is really 50-50.

Some of you have big dogs and seem to have found a way to make it work.
Others found it to be more trouble than not.

Of course things we do will have to be adapted for the dog.

For example, last summer, we were boating with friends (4 boats), then it has been decided to stop at a casino to play a bit for fun and have a lunch. If I had a dog, I would have stayed in the boat and wait for them.

I think it depends more if I'm boating alone with my wife or with friends.
I will have a better idea this summer how our boat activities are like since we are new to boating.

If there is a puppy in the future, I will post a picture

 

[legalfee]

We have a restaurant on the lake with outdoor seating that is pet friendly. We've brought our two dogs and they are no problem.

 

[roffey]

Just on a personal note, when I was a young boy I got my first boat, a small 14 foot 9.9. I had a lab hound mix. He had long ears and loved the boat. Wen we went for a rip and he would stand in the bow with his front legs on the deck and back legs on the front set. His ears would go out like wings and he would lean into the corners, he loved it and would bark at the dock if I did not take him with me...

Having said that, he did all his business on dry land. lol. My last two dogs would have nothing to do with the boat, would not even go in the water. Much like my wife, the dogs are true land lubbers for sure.

 

[garen123]

I have a dog and I go to boat with him but he always jumped out so we have to cancel this trip
LOL

 

[tacx]

Soooo, After reading all the above post, if you get a dog you, you will not enjoy the boat!! We have been there done that, and we had a wonderful dog! Some people care more about their dog than their boat, or family for that matter, thats their choice. Also, after you get the dog, he may not want anything to do with your boat or the water . So, then what? Are you going to get rid of the dog??? Not likely. You will end up keeping the dog ( "but dad we love fido") and your problems will be with you until it dies. I believe me I like dogs, just dont fit in my life. To much trouble.

I probably stepped on many toes, but facts are facts. My daughter just spent $9,000 for her sheperds back surgeries. I told her she was nuts, BUT " Dad, he is family".

So, think hard

 

[jimmbo]

My daughter just spent $9,000 for her sheperds back surgeries. I told her she was nuts, BUT " Dad, he is family".

That's one of the issues when one gets a Pet, at some point it will cost you serious money, and Vets are right up there with Oil Companies and Car Dealers when it comes to Gouging...