How do you keep your dog in the boat?

[jtexas]

Sorry, there's no punch line. My dog jumped out at about 1/4 throttle on his first outing - got interested in the bow wave and just jumped in after it. That was a year ago & I haven't had him onboard since.<br /><br />Dusty is a "big yella dog" hound mix, about 80 lbs., gentle, intelligent, strong swimmer (webbed feet), 4 years old. <br /><br />He will obey "stay" & "down-stay" to a point, but I think he's got too many raccoon-hound genes; those guys have a kind of canine ADHD - they just can't resist too much temptation for too long. I haven't tried ritalin. <br /><br />It's a 15ft fiberglass flatbottom/70hp fishing boat. Think it would be safe to lash his lead to the deck? anybody else have this situation? how did you train 'em?<br /><br />Hate leaving him behind, and especially on camping trips if I'm fishing sometimes the rest of the family don't want to deal with him.<br /><br />thanks,<br />jtw

 

[DJ]

Re: How do you keep your dog in the boat?

jtexas,<br /><br />I have had the same experience. None of my dogs wanted a repeat performance so it was not an issue.<br /><br />However, I know that some dogs may not relate the experience as "bad".<br /><br />The only thing I can think of is to assign someone to hold the dog. Make sure the dog understands that is is OK to jump out when you (only) give the command.<br /><br />Make sure you do let the dog out when you are stopped. He/she will begin to understand that once you let he/she go, it is OK and they will trust you to know when it is OK.

 

[RedRangerVIP]

Re: How do you keep your dog in the boat?

I don't see why you can't hook him up to the deck. Just make sure the lead is short. If he jumps with a long enough lead it will hang the poor fella.<br /> My Aussie/Boarder Collie jumped once on my old Hammond, and she ain't done since.<br /> All else fails, Hook him up to the bow eye and let him troll ya around!!<br /> Have a good one!<br />Larry

 

[sangerwaker]

Re: How do you keep your dog in the boat?

We hook ours to the center ski pylon with a short leash-just long enough for him to get to the gunnel, but not go over. Like RedRangerVIP said, make sure the leash isn't too long. I know you probably don't have a ski pylon in the middle of your boat, but leashing your hound to the deck should be OK, as long as you make sure he can't hang himself in any direction.

 

[petrolhead]

Re: How do you keep your dog in the boat?

 

[petrolhead]

Re: How do you keep your dog in the boat?

I have no problems keeping mine in the boat, she loves it and stands with her head stuck out in the breeze just like she does in the car, barking at other dogs on the bank or in other boats.<br />The problem I have is getting her out of the boat, she just won't jump and usually has to be lifted out, easy enough as she's only a small dog (Tibetan Spaniel), but I wish she was as enthusiastic to jump out as she is to jump in!

 

[Luna Sea]

Re: How do you keep your dog in the boat?

I don't understand the problem. As long as he's got the right gear....... <br /><br /><br />

 

[BF]

Re: How do you keep your dog in the boat?

My dog (then puppy) fell out of the canoe twice in the first hour we were out. Kept seeing her reflection and wanting to smell/lick that happy looking dog in the lake.... I said it was a bad omen 'cause "a smart dog would've only done it once."<br /><br />Now she's good in a canoe, and my regular fishing buddy (in a 16' boat)... the only boat issue we have is her getting a bit too excited about landing a fish in the boat. It's OK when it's just the two of us, but the kids don't like it when she goes nutzo to come see the catch and knocks over their juice/cheerios/teddy bear etc. Mostly my fault, cause I let her say "hi" to the fish (lick) before I throw back when we're alone.<br /><br />It is funny how she immediately goes into hunting mode when she hears the drag on my reel go. I like turning the spool on my spinning reel a 1/2 turn as she's dozing... (makes drag clicking noise) immediately she's awake and watching my line. A real good fishing companion, so you should give yours another chance.

 

[daddy_coole]

Re: How do you keep your dog in the boat?

we have a 16 month old bullmastiff with torretts and a 5 year old staffordshire pitbull that thinks he's human . they are both as good as gold in the boats and as yet havnt even tried to jump in . the bully is scared stiff of water and refuses to go out in the rain , the staff has no fear AT ALL and loves water, the only problem is he sinks like a house brick .

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: How do you keep your dog in the boat?

You can secure his lead to the deck. Be sure to get him a doggy life vest...they are available everywhere. Contrary to popular belief, dogs are NOT distance swimmers. Be safe, put a vest on him just like the rest of the fam.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: How do you keep your dog in the boat?

TIM MC - A Portuguese Water Dog is an aquatic version of a sheepherding dog. PWD’s can swim for hours in the open ocean. Originally bred to aid Portuguese fisherman, the dogs would be taken out on the fishing boats where they would pull the nets out and around, then herd the fish into them. PWD’s are a rescued breed. I read where the Spanish Water Dog is currently being rescued, too.<br /><br />JTEXAS - You may not like my response to your situation but here it is; the dog is undisciplined. Your dog should ‘stay’ when you say “stay” and not move from that spot until released. If you ‘place’ your dog on/in the bow, he should stay there. If your dog is willing to jump at 1/4 throttle, I presume he would also jump at full throttle. The best thing for your dog is training. And I bet you’ll be surprised how fast that 4-year old picks it up. Training is necessary for the dog’s safety.

 

[crab bait]

Re: How do you keep your dog in the boat?

have 'em stuffed... it only takes about 6 weeks if'n it's not deer season..

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: How do you keep your dog in the boat?

I too think it's a question of training. You need to be two in the boat. One with the dog on a leash and choker and then the driver of the boat. If he doesn't listen give him a real good yank and repeat his command to stay. Dogs require continuous "listening" exercises or they will learn to disobey whenever they feel like it.<br /><br />My golden retriever(who loves the water) only jumped in once when I had jumped in to go knee boarding. He would not jump in when my daughter or son went in to board, because I was close to him and firmly told him to stay. I will give him a good pull on his chain if he doesn't listen.<br /><br />Put your dog in situations where you know he will be tempted to not listen and teach him firmly that he must obey and praise the heck out of him when he does. <br /><br />Some folks like to keep dog treats in their pocket and give them one for listening, but you have to keep track of this and remove this from his normal meal or he will become one fat dog!

 

[boater4life]

Re: How do you keep your dog in the boat?

I can't keep my dog "Skipper" out of the boat.<br /><br />

<br /><br /><br />Dock Walk'n<br />

 

[cajun555]

Re: How do you keep your dog in the boat?

JT, consider your self lucky. My brother had the same problem with his big ole dog, except his dog could'nt swim. Brother had to jump in and save his butt. Last trip to the lake for that dog.

 

[petrolhead]

Re: How do you keep your dog in the boat?

<br />Ruby in her bandana, we dressed as pirates that day for a charity regatta.

 

[alternative]

Re: How do you keep your dog in the boat?

how do ya think a siberian husky would do on the lake... guess its gotta be cool temps..?loves water

 

[deofc]

Re: How do you keep your dog in the boat?

Yellow Lab, loves to go in the boat and in the water. When she was young she wouldn't jump in the water from the boat, she wanted to, she would start to but just wouldn't go in. Finally one day she jumped in. Now she jumps in the water whenever I stop the boat unless I tell her "No". Funny thing is she will go to sleep on the casting deck when running in rough and choppy water.

 

[tgkBarney]

Re: How do you keep your dog in the boat?

Whatever you do, make sure you get the little feller a life jacket! If nothing else, they have a nice grab handle to pull the pup back into the boat!

 

[TexomaAv8r]

Re: How do you keep your dog in the boat?

I would be concerned about tying his leash too the deck too short, if you were to capsize or somthing, as unlikely as that may be, he woule be unable to swim away from the boat.<br /><br />Training, a dedicated handler and life vest seem like better options