Boating With Dogs: 8 Vet-Approved Tips to Enjoy the Water With Your Pup
Most dogs enjoy adventure in the great outdoors, and many love participating in water activities like boating. If you like getting out on the open water yourself, you may be wondering if your pup can accompany you on your next boating trip. The short answer is yes, it’s possible to go boating with your dog! Here’s how you can enjoy the water with your pup and other important information.
The 8 Tips to Enjoy Boating With Your Dog
1. Invest in a Quality Flotation Device
Safety should always be the priority when taking your dog out on a boat. Canine life jackets and vests are both available on the market and are specifically designed to fit dogs. Life jackets wrap around the entire body and are best for boating because they provide visibility and buoyancy. Life vests usually cover less of the body, are lighter, and are designed more for casually swimming in a pool and similar types of water bodies. Make sure that the life jacket/vest that you invest in fits your dog properly and features:
2. Bring Along Plenty of Fresh, Clean Water
Dogs should never drink a large amount of water from lakes, oceans, or any other natural or human-made bodies of water. Of course, they can sometimes accidentally lap up a bit of water as they swim around. Also, even sitting in a boat can be dehydrating for a dog covered in fur. Therefore, bring along fresh, clean water to share with your furry co-captain. Offer them water to drink every 30 minutes or so to help ensure that they stay hydrated with clean water throughout the adventure.
3. Always Be Mindful of Swimming Skills
Don’t ignore your dog’s swimming skills just because they will be hanging out on a boat and not in the water. Anything can happen at any time, so be ready and prepared. If your pup cannot swim well, is just a puppy, or is a senior, they should be kept away from the edges of the boat to minimize the chance of them falling overboard. If it does happen, get in the water with them to provide support and keep them afloat. Even for dogs that are strong and skilled enough to swim on their own, watch them closely.
4. Install a Ramp
It might be easy for you to climb up the ladder and get back into the boat after a swim, but it’s less so for your pup. If you want your dog to be able to swim with you and get back into the boat without a struggle (or a great deal of work on your part), consider installing a little ramp for them to climb up. Most are foldable or inflatable and can be put on and taken off in just minutes.
5. Create and Communicate a Rescue Plan
You should have a rescue plan for if your dog jumps or falls off the boat while you’re out in the open waters. It is equally important to make sure everyone on board with you understands the plan. Who will cut off the engine? Who will be in charge of retrieving your dog and how? What will be done if a rescue cannot be performed from the boat? Write down your plan, and make copies so everyone has a chance to read it before your outing.
6. Provide Shade
If your boat does not have a canopy or another type of cover, bring something along to provide your pup with shade when they look hot or start panting. Like humans, dogs can get sunburned, so shade can also help protect their skin. (That said, there are sun protectants made just for pets that you can get for extra protection!)
An umbrella can provide periods of relief whenever you have a chance to hold it for them. Check the space below your boat’s control center and captain’s chair to see if there is room for your dog to lie underneath for shade. If there is enough room on the boat, you can even bring along a canopy bed for your canine companion to enjoy.
7. Pack Potty Pads
Your pup is likely going to need to use the bathroom while you are out on the water. They may be able to hold it until they are in the water or get off the boat, but it’s best to be safe and ensure that they can relieve themselves on the boat without making a huge mess for you to clean up. So, consider packing potty pads and putting one on the boat floor when you board. When your pup uses the pad, roll it up and pack it away for later disposal, then replace it with a clean one.
8. Bring Toys and Treats
Your dog may get bored of being confined to a small space and looking out at the water, so it’s a good idea to bring along toys and treats to keep them occupied. Puzzle toys that you can fill with treats are great options, as are favorite chew toys or balls (ideally, ones that can float). Whatever your dog likes playing with at home, they’re sure to enjoy just as much on the boat.
Never Push a Dog to Go Boating
Many dogs naturally take to water, while others were not designed to swim at all. That said, whether dogs are natural swimmers or not, some like to be in and around water, while others want nothing to do with it. It’s never a good idea to push a dog to get in the water or on a boat when they do not want to. If they are pressured, they may have a bad experience and never enjoy boating. They may also panic or otherwise try to fight the situation and end up getting in trouble in the water with a risk of drowning.
So, if your dog does not readily want to get in the water or on your boat, start slow and encourage them to do so with the help of their favorite toys and treats. With patience, consistency, and luck, they may follow your direction and enjoy the experience overall. If they refuse to cooperate, don’t force the issue. Just keep trying until they become comfortable with the idea of boating on the water or find something entertaining for them to do at home. You can also always contact a vet and ask for some training advice or guide on how to work with your pup towards the success.
Conclusion
Dogs can be great boating companions if the proper safety measures and preparations are put into place. Hopefully, the tips and ideas outlined here will help make your next boating adventure with your pup a safe, fun, and memorable one!
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Featured Image Credit: Gorloff KV, Shutterstock
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Rachael has been a freelance writer since 2000. In this time she has had an opportunity to research and write about many different topics while working to master the art of fusing high-quality content with effective content marketing strategies. She is an artist at heart and loves to read, paint, and make jewelry. As a vegan, Rachael is obsessed with helping animals in need, both in her community and anywhere in the world where she feels she can make a difference. Animals also happen to be her favorite topic to write about! She lives off the grid in Hawaii with her husband, her garden, and her rescue animals including 5 dogs, a cat, a goat, and flock of chickens.
