Many of us take our canine friends along for the boat ride. Be sure to follow a few common sense guidelines:
While on the boat, make sure your dog is under constant supervision, especially while the boat is moving. If your puppy or dog is a newcomer to the boat and to the water, take things slowly to allow your pet to adjust to the movement of the boat and to the noise of the engines. If your pet is nervous or scared while on board, you may want to consider leaving him behind next time. Not every dog will enjoy being on a boat.
No matter what size your dog, consider using a Personal (Pet) Flotation Device. Quite a few companies make them in varying sizes and specifications. It is important to properly size your dog, so bring him along when you purchase this safety item.
I know what some of you Labrador owners are thinking, "A PFD, for my dog?" My response is yes. No matter how good a swimmer your dog may be, a PFD can come in handy when a dog does not realize his true swimming limitations or accidentally falls overboard. Keep in mind that most, if not all PFDs for pets are designed with a convenient handle on top that aids in lifting your dog out of the water.
Another safety consideration on the boat is your dog's footing. Remember, your dog is not wearing boat shoes, so a fiberglass boat can be challenging, especially when wet. Provide better footing with a piece of carpet or a rubber mat. Also, a boat's surface can get quite hot on a dog's footpads, so check the deck's temperature often.
Always have a shaded area for your dog to retreat to. This is especially important for those daylong trips when the sun and temperature can become overwhelming. You can help protect your dog's eyes by providing a pair of specially made dog sunglasses, if your dog will tolerate wearing them.
All dogs should have a collar with a legible ID tag and for ultimate backup, be microchipped. Remember to bring plenty of fresh water and a bowl along. There is never anything good about your dog drinking too much salty water while playing in the surf.
For those of you who venture out to islands, be alert for your dog's health out there as well. The beaches and shallow waters can contain sharp objects from normal marine debris to the man-made variety. Monitor your pet at all times while in the surf and on the beaches. Otherwise, your dog may bring back to you an unhappy hermit crab. Of course, be a responsible and courteous dog owner.
While enjoying the water and the waves with your dog, make sure he does not exhaust himself with swimming and chasing the surf. Remember, your dog does not realize that he has limitations and any dog can stay too long in the water, so be ready to set a time limit. Also, try to limit swimming during those times when the jellyfish are in large numbers. They will sting your dog just like they will sting you.
Another obvious danger of being on any boat is the hazard of fishing gear. Be sure to keep all hooks and bait far away from the mouth of your curious dog. Otherwise, you'll have one terrible trip home as the treble hook sways from your dog's lower lip. Unfortunately, I see this occur way too often. You can try to cut the hook out or at least lighten the weight. Just remember the barb usually doesn't come out but in one direction.
Please enjoy the beautiful days ahead out on the water with your favorite canine companion, but do it with care and common sense. Always rinse or bathe your dog when you arrive back home to cleanse the coat, especially if he was in salt water. You may want to get some more helpful information on all forms of boating with your dog. If so, go to BoatUS.com/pets, for tips on boating safely with your dog.