Dogs on boat

pcator · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 6:12 pm Post subject: Dogs on boat

We are planning to camp on our C-Dory. We will be taking our dog. At home he has a doggie door to the house and a farm to go out to. He likes his grass to do his business.

How do you handle this problem with a dog on board?

Thanks

Patrick

Day-Dreamer · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 6:43 pm Post subject:

We do most of our boating close to land and beaches are everywhere. Our boat beaches easily. One of us drops off the bow and the other hands down the dogs.

When we find ourselves close to a public landing, the dogs use them. We carry doggie clean up bags so we won't become persona non grata.

One of our Australian Terriers has diabetes and has to go more often than normal. Even so, he can easily go four hours during the day and lasts 8 or 9 hours at night. On the days we go on short outings, they just wait until we put the boat back on the trailer and then get their turn.

We have never tried this, but we hear that some boaters teach the dogs to go on the swim platform. This method would certainly save a lot of inconvenience.

They are part of our family. The inconvenience is minimal.

pcator · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 6:51 pm Post subject: Thanks

Understand about family. We wouldn't want to make it hard on him.
Thanks again

Patrick

Roy and Lucky · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 7:37 pm Post subject:

We like to make sure Haley (a Labrador Retreiver) is "empty" before we leave the dock. After that, it's a matter of knowing your dog's basic habits. Not dissimilar to taking a road trip with a child. We have a tandom Kayak that she loves to ride in if we're unable to beach. We tend to have more unnesicary "shore leaves" than we actualy need (rather have it that way). Always carry poop bags and clean up. Haley has been with us for two years on a great many boat outings and has only had one accident (I have only myself to blame for that). Overall, she's not a problem on the boat.

Bearbait · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 7:50 pm Post subject:

I get close to shore, tell her to get out and she swims ashore and does what she needs to do.

oldgrowth · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 10:13 pm Post subject:

tpbrady · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:29 pm Post subject:

I think I would ask DogOn Dory. I seem to recall seeing his dog letting loose over the stern this summer.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2006 11:35 pm Post subject:

I usually tell Baxter to hold it until I can take him to shore in the dinghy...we are still working on the "obedience" part of this drill!

Sea Wolf · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:17 am Post subject:

Pat-

Get some grass (real or artificial) and put it on your swimstep. With a small dog like Baxter, this ought to be OK!

My Great Dane might not find this grass patch adequate, though.

On second thought, however, after the other thread on overboard dumping, we better train 'em to use to Porta-Potti!

Joe.

Old Jim · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 2:28 am Post subject:

This is Boomer (The big dumb looking one on the right.)

Getting him ashore shouldn't be a problem but we need to find a dinghy big enough to carry a Bobcat so we can clean up after he's done his business.

Jim

Sea Wolf · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 6:59 am Post subject:

Jim-

Does Boomer need a playmate?

Misty : "Toilet Paper is for fun, right, Dad?" (@ 6 months of age)

Joe.

Old Jim · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:52 pm Post subject:

Joe,

Did you ever read the confirmation standards for various breeds? You know, where they talk about such things as topline, chest, shape of head and all that?

Perhaps I just haven't read the Great Dane standards closely enough because I'm certain there MUST be a comment in there somewhere that, to meet the breed standard, Danes must at all times have a confused, vacant, or rather stupid look on their face.

Agree?

And, yes, Boomer would love a playmate his own size. Currently his best girlfriend is a Miniature Dachshund who weighs five pounds and gets so excited when she sees himr that her response is to roll over on her back and squeak like a mouse. Damnedest sound I ever heard come from a dog. The fact that she does it while on her back with her legs splayed out leads me to believe that, in dog language, she's saying, "Take me, you beast!" Poor Boomer hasn't quite got that figured out yet.

Jim

Sea Wolf · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 1:18 pm Post subject:

Jim-

Well, yes, now that you mention it, Great Danes do have that kinda blank, mindless, simpleton look to them, only vaguely warning of the impending civil disobedience and mayhem likely to follow.

But that's why we love 'em, cause they're just like a part of us!

Probably the perfect dog for a SARS response: "Oh, is my dog bothering you?" (Dane has victum pinned to floor, happily licking his face, demanding attention.)

Joe.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 3:45 pm Post subject:

BTW, Baxter is at the Posado mobile spay / neuter station here in Snoqualmie today. They come once a month, and neutering costs $40 - quite a bit less than a vet. We told him he was getting "tutored" so he wouldn't be too upset. I pick the little feller up at 4:00 p.m. I'm guessing he won't be quite so bouncy this afternoon.

Bearbait · Posted: Fri Oct 20, 2006 4:44 pm Post subject:

How does she get back in?

When I call her back to the boat I lead her to the swim step and grab her by the collar to help her up and in.