Going Boating? Don’t Forget Your Furry Friend!
Published: Tuesday, January 10, 2023 12:00 pm
By: The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and Watercraft
It’s become more common to see a dog on board a family boat. Seventy percent (70%) of U.S. boat owners have dogs. Not sure if your dog and your boat are a good fit? Here are some tips and tricks to taking your BFF (Best Furry Friend) along.
Don’t expect your dog to be comfortable with boating immediately. It can take time to acclimate your dog to water, the movement of a boat on water, and the sounds and odors associated with the boat’s motor. Introduce your dog to boating gradually with short periods in the boat while it is docked. Make the experience a positive one and gradually increase their time in the boat and away from the dock.
Count your dog as a person in the boat. They require space (taking up a seat) and can move on their own inside the boat. Include their weight when calculating your boat’s capacity.
If your dog goes overboard, whether that is voluntary or not, have a plan. If your dog likes to swim, practice getting your dog back into the boat. Many pet life jackets have a gripping handle incorporated into the design, which can be very helpful.
Don’t forget to plan for food, drink, and restroom stops for yourself, your passengers, and your dog. Have a water bowl, snacks, leash, and bags for waste cleanup. You never know when a treat can come in handy or when you will need a plastic bag.
Make sure your dog has a properly fitting life jacket. Canine life jackets are readily available for most breeds and sizes. The choices on the market today for dogs come in a variety of colors, have varying warmth factors, and offer different amounts of flotation. Buying a life jacket for a dog is a lot like buying one for a human: the main concern should be getting a device that properly fits your dog. It should be designed for your dog’s needs, like added warmth from neoprene in case the water is cold. Look for a gripping handle for lifting the dog back into the boat. It is important to know the weight limits of the device.
When shopping for your dog’s life jacket, if the store will allow dogs, you should take him/her with you so you can fit the device before buying. A general Internet search of "dog life jackets" will locate many options, including retailers, manufacturers, as well as numerous blogs where you may find someone with a breed similar to your BFF! www.BoatUS.com has some good information on testing different dog life jackets.
Happy Tails to You!
tags: Boating 101, Boating Safety, Kids & Pets
