How to get your dog back into boat!! (emergency)

jjacobs007

jjacobs007

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I was at the lake today with my dog which ways 70plus lbs.

Then i thought!! what if she jumped in while i was in the middle of the lake!

How would i get her back into my boat with so much freeboard.

I cant lift that much weight,into my boat.

So the important stuff came to mind,like her harness and lifejacket.

The collar must be tight and a full body one would be best.

But if your boat has a lot of freeboard and no swim platform what do you do?

Drive her to the nearest shore,remember im alone.

This is scary to me,I dont want to tie her down inside boat incase it sinks,but i dont want her to drown either way.

Whats your ideas on how to solve this problem iboaters!!

looking for helpful answers not bull.

This is my boat and my great dog in photos.any help would be great!!022.jpg012.jpg
 
oops!

oops!

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Re: How to get your dog back into boat!! (emergency)

i think you would find the strength. 70 lbs isnt much.

however.......get a folding ladder to keep in the boat......and teach her to climb aboard with your help
 
Mark42

Mark42

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Re: How to get your dog back into boat!! (emergency)

There are life jackets for dogs. It would make it so much easier to pull the dog in if it is fairly buoyant (well, just a guess). But like was mentioned earlier, a ladder would make things easier. Especially if your dog is used to a two story house and running up and down stairs. It should get the hang of a ladder quickly. Maybe the best idea is to get a simple "over the gunnel" style ladder and when in 2 or 3 feet of water, teach the dog how to use the ladder. They learn quick. I know my daughters little white fuzzy dog does (which I do have to walk, making me look just soooooo macho. :D ) Especially when my neighbor drives past with a pickup bed full of pinchers and rottwielers........ just slobbering to get at Daisy. Daisy..... perfect name for a white fuzz ball...... And then she barks and tugs at the leash, and if they bark back, she runs behind me...... LOL!!!!

Mark.
 
tpenfield

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Re: How to get your dog back into boat!! (emergency)

You may have to rig something up, but a longer ladder that you can hang over the side may be the way to go. You would then probably have to be in the water and assist the dog up the ladder. Once the dog could get its paws over the gunnels, it should be able to climb the rest of the way.

There are also some more elaborate 'ramps' for pets that have flotation on the ends.
 
jigngrub

jigngrub

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Re: How to get your dog back into boat!! (emergency)

Start a weight lifting program.

The lady that delivers my mail has to be able to lift 70 lbs.
 
southkogs

southkogs

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Re: How to get your dog back into boat!! (emergency)

There's this thing (and others like it): http://www.pawsaboard.com/ladder.asp

I have a Golden Retriever that weighs in at 85lbs, and LOVES the water. She can swim herself to exhaustion because she just won't give up. We purchased a life jacket for her (much advised) to use when we're on the boat. With that life jacket on, my wife can lift her on board over the gunwale of our boat (we've got more freeboard than you). The handles on the life jacket make a world of difference.
 
S

salty87

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Re: How to get your dog back into boat!! (emergency)

dogs are surprisingly good at climbing ladders...the pool kind, not the roof kind lol. i think if you put a hook ladder on the gunnel and led your pup to the steps she would have no problems. when their paws find a rung, it's totally natural for them to start using their legs. you'd be in the boat guiding her to you...no problem. something like these: http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Hook-Ladders/dm/*******.579145878--**********.259023671--view_id.236407

a swim platform is the best way to go. it doesn't have to be huge. just a simple landing. you don't need to be on the platform with the dog. they do most of the work pulling themselves up. the only thing they need is a hand behind their head to give them leverage. this is our regular swim platform workout:
DSCF1127.jpg
 
skargo

skargo

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Re: How to get your dog back into boat!! (emergency)

You simply have to jump in after your dog. My dog weighs 100#, and he is easy to get in from the water.
 
beason

beason

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Re: How to get your dog back into boat!! (emergency)

My first question is, if your boat has no swim platform, no ladder, and "lots of freeboard", how would you get back into the boat if for some reason you ended up in the water?

Ive lifted a full grown lab over into a 14ft flat bottom fishing boat before, talk about a chore! all our weight on one side, we both almost went swimming.



As far as the comment about lifting the dog from the water, that is almost impossible. Ive tried that before, and it wasnt even a large dog. you try to lift the dog, you just go under. We finally got him back on the boat, but i had to use the kneeboard for extra float, and someone up on the boat pulling.

The dog life vest is the best bet. It has a handle on the back just for this, and if you cant get the dog in the boat, they wont drown while you figure something else out.
 
SS MAYFLOAT

SS MAYFLOAT

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Re: How to get your dog back into boat!! (emergency)

Hire one of those Swamp People guys. If they can get a 1,000 pound gator in their boat, they can handle a dog.

My dog is half lab and half newfoundland. Web feet and a rudder for a tail. When he was 3 months old, I took him swiming with me. I really wanted a dog that would love the water. That is why I chose this dog. After that day, he didn't like the idea of getting wet. He would walk around a wet spot on the ground.

Now he is over 150 pounds and I know there would be no way of getting him lifted into my boat being soaking wet. I looked for life vests for the just in case, but there isn't any for an extremely heavy dog.

All in all, it turned out great as I know now he doen't every want to go overboard with his fear of the water. The real odd thing is, he is great taking a bath.
 
CC245

CC245

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Re: How to get your dog back into boat!! (emergency)

http://boatingdog.com/
I use the load a pup. I attach it to the swim ladder and our dogs swim up onto the load a pup then climb onto the boat unassisted. I believe you said that you don't have a ladder or platform. On the load a pup website they show it used by attaching it to the back of the boat. The advantage of this compared to the paws aboard or other ladder types is the size. The load a pup folds flat and small and fits on most boats. Also a good lifejacket with a handle on the back helps.
250215_2097087479322_1609424672_2053001_2601837_n.jpg
 
C

Chris1956

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Re: How to get your dog back into boat!! (emergency)

Sounds like you need a swim platform. When I take my pup out (25# Westie), he is good as gold for me. He sits in the passenger seats at speed and I allow him to roam around at idle speed. He looks and sniffs but sits on the seats, where it is safe.

I had him and his Alpha Dog (Wifey) out in the early spring, one time. With wifey supervising dog (sic), he jumped clean off the bow into the water. My plan was to swing bow around to him and kill motor. Now hook his collar with boat hook and lead him to swim platform.

Of course, before I could do anything, wifey jumps overboard to "save" him. Now I have to rescue two...

Think about a swim platform.
 
H

Home Cookin'

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Re: How to get your dog back into boat!! (emergency)

you can land fish that big with a net or a gaff. A net is better. I don't think you can get a grip on a swimming dog without something underneath him. After that, you should be strong enough. if not, worry more about your own self and what if you fall over (which is why first thing I did was put a swim step on my boat w/ high sides).
 
boataway

boataway

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Re: How to get your dog back into boat!! (emergency)

Chris1956 said:
Now I have to rescue two...
Click to expand...

hahaha! that's my fear. even though i've asked her to let me handle that situation, i think she'd do it out of instinct.
 
jjacobs007

jjacobs007

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Re: How to get your dog back into boat!! (emergency)

jigngrub said:
Start a weight lifting program.

The lady that delivers my mail has to be able to lift 70 lbs.
Click to expand...

thats why she does it and you dont! get off my posts u cant relate ever.
 
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