Kaisardog":qoir0zcr said:
does any one have experience to share with dogs getting onto/off the tugs ? do they just jump onto the swim platform then into the cockpit ? can they get up onto the foredeck via the sidekicks while anchored or docked, without falling off ? has anyone put the 'sailor netting' around the sides as a safety for them ?
our australian shepherd is desperate for answers.
All dogs are different. What one will do or won't do is no measure for what your dog will or won't do.
My Wire Haired Fox Terrier is very energetic and quite honestly I don't trust him to behave. He likes the boat ride as best I can figure. He doesn't howl or try jumping overboard but at the slightest chance when seeing something moves in the water he's likely to jump. Once he leaped at a sitting seagull and as he was in the air the seagull simply took to flight and he continued to sail through the air and into the drink. Without the help of a fella Tugnut person I would have struggled getting him back out of the water. For me he's totally unpredictable and this is what I have to deal with.
I always have him on a leash when approaching my boat, I hold him under my arm when boating the boat and if there's going to be a lot of onboard activity he will be on a shorter leash attached to the dinette table's pedestal. At ives I allow him into the cockpit but keep a very mindful eye on him especially if he stretches up and looks overboard. I never allow him onto the Command Bridge.
Jake has a strong bladder and can go for hours without getting relief. I always have several small plastic bags with me when on land.
As I said, all dogs will present different attitudes to boating and their behavior will vary from one breed to another. Some are docile whereas others are overly excited and can react suddenly to unexpected situations.
The age and weight of a dog is also another factor, as well as their health condition.
My best advice is to experiment to see how your
best friend will act and behave using great caution at first.
