Dogs on Boats

[Photolomy]

We brought our pug on the boat for the first time, and he got so anxious (panting and hyperventilating) that we had to take him home. We tried twice, same result. Yet he has stayed at a strange house (kennel) before and no issues. Must be the constant slight movement of the boat? Has anyone else had similar issues and were they resolved?

 

[Avenger]

I had a cat that didn't like car rides the first few times. Hid under the seat and cried. After a couple of short trips she was steering. Paws couldn't reach the pedals though.

On a more serious note, although the above is somewhat true, are you taking the boat out, or did you let the dog experience the boat a few times at the dock first? It's probably something that requires gradual acclimation. Get him used to the territory and the smells and some gradual motion. Then run the engines a bit. Puppy steps.

My friend's dog loves his boat, but flipped out on mine. Different environment, different engine noise, smells etc. She whined and cried for the entire ride. She loves being out on his boat, so it's not boats or the motion by itself. I think they get overwhelmed by too many new experiences at the same time.

 

[madhatter1]

Toonces?

 

[SEVEN]

I raised seven Pomeranians on three different boats. They absolutely loved it. For those of you who like to raft out one of the things that I did which saved running around looking for land, I bought a 6 foot round swimming pool and put sod in the bottom. They ran up to the front did their business and then ran right back inside the boat.

 

[Photolomy]

We were only at the dock. We were preparing for next weekend when we will be out on the water.

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Every dog I've ever had loved boats. Some dogs are even superior line handlers.


Meet Fred.

 

[cenger]

Keep at it, he will get used to it. I adoped a 6yr Dachshund that hated it at first but she got used to it. Bring his bed and favorite toys that will make him feel at home.

 

[bigbill]

my boston terriers love going on the boat.

 

[madhatter1]

my boston terriers love going on the boat.

We have 2 Boston’s that are by our heels anytime we go near the boat. Not sure if it our boat or their boat at this point.

 

[Freestyle]

We had two pugs and now two Frenchies and a really old pug.

Pugs get hot real fast because they cool through their little noses. They also get blinded by light reflecting off of the water and the deck. Keep them cool and in the shade and they will settle down.

We have one pug that can hear dolphins and barks at them whether in port or underway. It's fascinating and the other dogs are clueless.

I love boating. My wife loves to sit on the sofa with her dogs and read. So I drive around a boat with a large sofa full of dogs.

Bruce

Freestyle
1986 62 CPMY (54mY with ext.)
Tampa

 

[oscarvan]

I love boating. My wife loves to sit on the sofa with her dogs and read. So I drive around a boat with a large sofa full of dogs.

Hmmm, not sure the wife would like being called a dog...... Meanwhile, I drive a motorhome like that..... One Chihuahua for now. I've been told there's gonna be more.

 

[rsmith]

Remember to be considerate with the fireworks on the 4th. Seems boaters like to celebrate its fine but many of our canine friends don’t tolerate them well. Same goes for our Veterans with PTSD. Years ago I was at Walkers Cay when a bunch of yahoos in a center console were setting off a bunch of fireworks. An older couple in a trawler had their little dog freak out and jumped in the water and drowned.

 

[Captain Ralph]

Hmmm, not sure the wife would like being called a dog......

My second wife was a dog (speaking nicely on the forum).

 

[sixty]

I raised seven Pomeranians on three different boats. They absolutely loved it. For those of you who like to raft out one of the things that I did which saved running around looking for land, I bought a 6 foot round swimming pool and put sod in the bottom. They ran up to the front did their business and then ran right back inside the boat.

We're on Pom #5 and all spent lots of time on boats, from my 18' skiff fishing marlin in Hawaii to the 60c in Mexico. All of them except the latest merle would pee on pads. The sod is a great idea! He also gets anxiety under way and has to be with the captain (me) at all times. other than that, he's gotta be with his momma. He went overboard once at the dock and learned his lesson quickly.

Treats and rewards are the key to acclimating your dog to the boat and associating it with enjoyment not torture. a couple uneventful but happy days onboard should help immensely.

 

[bigbill]

We have 2 Boston’s that are by our heels anytime we go near the boat. Not sure if it our boat or their boat at this point.

us too, we have to spell boat so they dont get too excited ahead of time

 

[Oldlaxer1]

Our pug loves the boat as does my daughter's pug when he comes to visit. Keeping them cool is key though. Good luck.

 

[Dazed338]

Not sure about underway yet but Sasha loves vegging on it, enough projects should have her aboard again. Her little sister Alice might get a chance 1st. Boat behind me has a Catpitan

 

[bigbill]

View attachment 41253Our pug loves the boat as does my daughter's pug when he comes to visit. Keeping them cool is key though. Good luck.

we leave the aft salon door open whenever the dogs are aboard so they can get in the air conditioning if the want to

 

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

Fred has trouble distinguishing between SAE and metric tools, so now he’s just a hammer mechanic.

 

[Boatsb]

Chip does electronics and controllers