Boating with your dog
Boating with your dog
Most dogs enjoy boating, especially if they’ve been introduced to it since they were puppies. Boating with your dog can therefore be a fantastic experience for both you and your dog. As a dog owner, you can do a lot to create a safe and secure environment for your dog on board and teach it to enjoy being on the boat. Having a life jacket on your dog is of course important for their safety. But there are other important things to consider to ensure that your time on the water is as safe and comfortable as possible for both of you. In this article, we will explore some important advice and tips for having a successful boat vacation with your dog.
1.Water familiarity or swimming ability: Before taking your dog on the boat, it’s important to ensure that it is comfortable with water and can swim. Gradually introduce your dog to water and make sure it can swim safely in case it ends up in the water.
2.Life jacket for the dog: Having a life jacket on your dog is crucial for its safety on board, whether it can swim or not. If the dog decides to jump overboard, fall overboard, or for any reason end up in the water, it can easily panic because it becomes a stressful situation. It can also be difficult to get the dog back on the boat, especially if you are alone on board. Therefore, it can be crucial if the dog has a life jacket or not.
A good life jacket has quick-release buckles, lifting handles on the back, strong straps, and a ring for leash attachment. The life jacket should be adapted to the dog’s weight. Add a few extra pounds if you have a long-haired dog, as it weighs more when the coat is wet.
3.Create a safe and comfortable place: Give your dog its own, safe and comfortable place on board where it can feel secure. Make sure there is shade and protection from the sun, as well as enough water and food to keep it hydrated and fed.
4.Safety measures on board: Make sure your boat is safe for your dog. Close off dangerous areas or keep them out of reach. Check that there are plenty of guardrails and that openings are small enough to prevent your dog from squeezing through.
5. Exercise and toilet needs: Make sure your dog gets enough exercise during the boat vacation. Take short breaks to let it stretch its legs and do its business. Bring dog poop bags and respect the environment.
6.Motion sickness prevention measures: If your dog has problems with motion sickness, talk to your veterinarian about appropriate measures to reduce discomfort. It may be to give your dog medication or try natural solutions.
7.Keep the dog hydrated: Make sure your dog always has access to fresh water on board!
8. Do not tie your dog with a leash & collar: It is extremely important that you do not tie your dog with a leash and collar on the boat. It can lead to serious consequences if the dog were to try to jump overboard or ashore when the boat is moored, as it can get caught in the leash and get into trouble.
9.Prevent water tail: If your dog swims a lot and is often damp, it can suffer from something called water tail, which is a painful inflammation at the base of the tail. It is also possible that the ears can be irritated by excessive moisture. Make sure to dry your dog properly after bathing to avoid these problems.
10.Watch out for toxic algae: Avoid water with a lot of algae. Toxic algae can be extremely dangerous for the dog and directly life-threatening, even if it swims and then licks its coat, it can ingest algae. If you suspect that there is an algal bloom, you should not let your dog stay in the water. This is usually easy to check on the municipalities’ websites.
11.Respect rules and restrictions: Check local rules and restrictions for bringing dogs on boats. Some places may have specific rules about dogs on beaches or in nature reserves.
