How to board a large dog?

[SLyle01]

Any suggestions for techniques for getting a 50-60 lb. dog safely on board an R27 or R29? Boxes? Hand-carrying? A ramp?

 

[Dubs]

Our Lab was a puppy on our R27 so carrying her on board was the first method. As she grew, she learned how to exit through the transom door and swim step when we were docked. She also watched us step over the gunnel and soon was able to launch herself on or off the boat that way. The skills she learned transferred from our R27 to our friends’ R31 then to our own R31. She has just in the past month learned the swim step and side gate ways in and off our new boat. Dogs are smart and adaptable and just need some encouragement + positive reinforcement!

 

[SJI Sailor]

I guess it depends on their agility. With our 60# doodle, we taught him to jump over the gunwale (cockpit side seats). Did that by starting first to help him up and over, and then graduating to a treat for him to do it himself. It is quite easy for him now that he realizes it is safe. We also use the swim step sometimes.

One thing we found is to take off any leash first. He's much more confident jumping without a leash attached.

 

[gswearin]

We try whenever possible to have our dog enter and exit from the transom door. We don't want to encourage jumping off the boat. When he does have to go over gunwale, we try to get him to use the step and hop rather than jump. He has his life jacket with a handle on it just in case. We have Raptordeck so that helps with the landing when coming back on.

Now the dinghy we haven't figured out yet.......

 

[SJI Sailor]

+1 to dog PFD and Raptor deck! Also agreed about the inflatable RIB, it is a problem no matter what we try to get him in (but he likes to jump out 🙂