A Handy Guide To Boating With Your Dog

Just as dogs get excited to go for car rides, many become overjoyed when they learn they get to go for a boat ride. Most dogs love being around large bodies of water, wanting to swim and play in it with their humans for cool and carefree summertime fun. However, if you're new to boating yourself or if you've never had experience with canines onboard before, you may be struggling with how to handle their care and manage their behavior while they're on the boat. When you need some helpful guidance to steer you in the right direction, here is a handy guide to boating with your dog that can be immensely useful, making your first adventure with your pup on the water a memorable and enjoyable one.

June 13, 2022 • BaxterBoo Team

However, if you're new to boating yourself or if you've never had experience with canines onboard before, you may be struggling with how to handle their care and manage their behavior while they're on the boat. When you need some helpful guidance to steer you in the right direction, here is a handy guide to boating with your dog that can be immensely useful, making your first adventure with your pup on the water a memorable and enjoyable one.

Acclimate Your Pup to the Feel of a Dock/Boat

Dogs act the same way as humans when they feel the need to adjust their balance/stance when walking or standing on a rocking dock or boat. Therefore, it would be best for your canine to allow him plenty of time to get acclimated to the consistent swaying and rolling movement that comes with being on the water, before he ever makes it on a boat. Once he adapts to the dock, starting with brief outings on the boat first is ideal before commencing with longer trips.

Some dogs do get seasick like humans if they're not adapted to their environment. Watching your pet to see how he handles himself can give you a better indication of whether you need to find medicinal remedies for your dog, or how best to time your boat's movements with his eating habits. Overall, simple practice, time and experience are key factors in helping your pooch to overcome motion sickness or anxiety on a boat.

Stock Protective Life Jackets Onboard

A pup that spends time on water may know how to swim, but it's crucial that you have a supportive life jacket for every dog onboard in case of emergencies. Many brands of doggy life vests are designed with handles on top, which makes it easy for you to transfer and maneuver your pet from the dock to the boat, and vice versa. However, these handles can also be vitally useful in case your dog ends up overboard in choppy water or in a strong current.

Find a Suitable Spot for Bathroom Breaks

If you thought you were done potty-training your dogs, guess again! On a boat, you will likely need to train your pooch in reverse, having him go back to taking potty breaks on a reusable mesh tray with everyday training potty pads when it's not possible to have him stop and go on land. Keeping a stock of potty pads onboard for all situations is the best way to prevent accidents.

Meanwhile, it can be important for your dog to feel he has a place of his own on the boat to do his business. Having him relieve himself in the same area repeatedly can help the training sink in, while also helping to prevent any potential potty mishaps on deck from becoming an issue long-term for the humans.

Consider a Boarding Ramp for Easy Access

Getting on and off the boat can be the hardest part of the day for dogs to handle, as their anxieties or hesitance to move from the dock to the boat (and vice versa) over rushing water may make them uncomfortable and uneasy.

If you own small breed dogs, simply picking them up and carrying them over with you as you board is the best course of action to avoid slips or stumbles. However, if you own a larger breed dog, a boarding ramp is a perfect solution for helping your canine maneuver his way around the marina. These can not only be handy for entering and exiting the boat from the dock, but also for giving your pup a place to reboard if you're out on the water or on a sandbar.

Store Plenty of Fresh Water and Food

When you're out on the water, under the blazing hot sun, your dog's hydration is more important than ever. And, if you happen to be boating in salt water or a possibly contaminated fresh-water lake, you don't want your dog drinking it as a way to stay hydrated, when it will only dehydrate him more. Therefore, having a large stock of fresh water onboard is vital, for both you and your pups. Invest in a versatile water bowl that is designed for easy traveling and is effective for getting the job done.

Also, you should store your furball's regular kibble on the boat to ensure he doesn't find himself in any human scraps or potentially harmful garbage that he finds elsewhere. Take extra care to safely store away any fishing bait, as this may be confused for dog food or treats by your pup, which could inevitably make him sick if ingested.

Load up on Doggy Sunscreen

Lastly, you should apply sunscreen to your dog to keep his sensitive skin from getting sunburned while out on the water. The water reflects the sunlight back onto you, making it easy for you and your pets to get burned. Dog owners may neglect to do this, assuming their dogs are completely covered from any sun damage due to their fur. Unfortunately, a dog's nose, underbelly and inner-thigh areas are just as likely to get burned as human skin.

When you need assistance in boating with your dog, use this handy guide as a reference to help prepare you for any fun and exciting water adventures ahead!