We are considering getting a boxer puppy but he would have to be a boat dog. We sail every weekend April-October. My husband is afraid it is not fair to the dog. Years ago, my husband had an adult dog he tried to get used to sailing and it didn't go well. He ended up having neighbors watch the dog whenever he sailed. I believe if we get a puppy now and get him used to the boat as a puppy, he will adapt to living on-board. We almost always dock at a slip at night so exercise would not be a problem. Our boat has AC and is 45 feet. I have researched ways to train a dog to use the deck as a potty and the equipment needed to keep him safe (netting, life jackets, etc.) Now I need advice. Has anyone attempted to take a dog on-board and really regretted it or been overjoyed you did it? I am really looking for guidance.
Dogs onboard
- Thread starter kandk
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We have two dogs that we take on our boat fairly often. One is a hound mix. She is okay but not really happy on the boat. The other is a lab mix. As soon as we get going, he lies down on the seat and only gets up to look around sometimes. We could sail through a hurricane and it wouldn't bother him. He's completely comfortable and happy to be with us.
My point is that I think it depends a lot on the breed. If you're planning on getting a boat dog, I'd recommend one bred for boats, like a lab/lab mix, Portuguese boat dog, etc. As for boxers -- I like them a lot. They're very playful dogs. But I knew a guy who said his boxer couldn't swim, that its chest was too deep and it almost drowned one time. As for potty training - I can't get my dogs to go on the boat (on the deck), but maybe if you start from the time it's a puppy you will have better luck.
My point is that I think it depends a lot on the breed. If you're planning on getting a boat dog, I'd recommend one bred for boats, like a lab/lab mix, Portuguese boat dog, etc. As for boxers -- I like them a lot. They're very playful dogs. But I knew a guy who said his boxer couldn't swim, that its chest was too deep and it almost drowned one time. As for potty training - I can't get my dogs to go on the boat (on the deck), but maybe if you start from the time it's a puppy you will have better luck.
FWIW, I'd have to agree with your husband. Boxers are high-energy/high-maintenance dogs, needing a lot of exercise. If they're not indulged, they can become destructive.
How about an older, more sedate dog from the local shelter?
How about an older, more sedate dog from the local shelter?
That is just it. Some like it and some don't. You will not know until you try it out. We have had 2 dogs that were fine with it and now on our 3rd one (Standard Schnauzers). The first one did not like it when there was a lot of noise. The second did not like it much when things got rough. The new one is just 4 mos. old. We took her for about a 1/2 ride a couple of weeks ago and she appears to be fine.
It seems as tho they are similar to people!
It seems as tho they are similar to people!
Finally, i can offer something of value on the forum!
Sorry if this is a long one, but I've trained several pups, of several breeds, to be happy and confident pals along on boating trips...including my welsh corgi who rides along fine in my canoe on fly fishing adventures...but otherwise hates the water.
1: dogs don't have the reasoning ability that you and I do; so for them it's all about confidence and familiarity to be happy. The first several trips to the marina, and on the boat itself, should be all about the dog. Take him or her down TO the boat, give them some treats and love, hang out for a few minutes...then leave. Don't even bother boarding. After that becomes routine, take the pup on the boat a few times while tied up, follow the same treat and love routine, and then leave again. The boat probably shouldn't leave the dock until the dog is very, very comfy aboard..and even then only for a few very short trips at first.
2: Dogs have trouble walking on slippery decking, and unstable feet lead to an unstable dog. Think about some inexpensive indoor/outdoor carpeting , a piece at least large enough for them to have a "safe" place to hang out. In fact , that's a great training tool for where you want them to lay while underway.
3: Take them to a place where you can coax them ( NOT PULL THEM) into shallow water, and let them play some. Get a doggie PFD, and get them used to it. IMO, they should have it on any time while on the boat.
4: a boxer is a less than ideal boat buddy, for the reasons others have stated above. That said, a well trained, confident, and tired boxer can be a great companion. Plan on adding 30-45 minutes of playing, walking, and running the dog on shore before getting on the boat, every single time. A tired dog is a well behaved dog. You can skimp on alot of things, but skimping on running off some of the dogs energy would be something I wouldn't even consider.
A stressed out 70 pound boxer on a boat would be ugly.
Good luck!
Sorry if this is a long one, but I've trained several pups, of several breeds, to be happy and confident pals along on boating trips...including my welsh corgi who rides along fine in my canoe on fly fishing adventures...but otherwise hates the water.
1: dogs don't have the reasoning ability that you and I do; so for them it's all about confidence and familiarity to be happy. The first several trips to the marina, and on the boat itself, should be all about the dog. Take him or her down TO the boat, give them some treats and love, hang out for a few minutes...then leave. Don't even bother boarding. After that becomes routine, take the pup on the boat a few times while tied up, follow the same treat and love routine, and then leave again. The boat probably shouldn't leave the dock until the dog is very, very comfy aboard..and even then only for a few very short trips at first.
2: Dogs have trouble walking on slippery decking, and unstable feet lead to an unstable dog. Think about some inexpensive indoor/outdoor carpeting , a piece at least large enough for them to have a "safe" place to hang out. In fact , that's a great training tool for where you want them to lay while underway.
3: Take them to a place where you can coax them ( NOT PULL THEM) into shallow water, and let them play some. Get a doggie PFD, and get them used to it. IMO, they should have it on any time while on the boat.
4: a boxer is a less than ideal boat buddy, for the reasons others have stated above. That said, a well trained, confident, and tired boxer can be a great companion. Plan on adding 30-45 minutes of playing, walking, and running the dog on shore before getting on the boat, every single time. A tired dog is a well behaved dog. You can skimp on alot of things, but skimping on running off some of the dogs energy would be something I wouldn't even consider.
A stressed out 70 pound boxer on a boat would be ugly.
Good luck!
If you are a dog owner/lover having one on board can be a joyful pain in the butt. If you are considering your first dog and living on a boat, I would suggest borrowing a friends dog for a week (and see how YOU do). A dog will do fine wherever it lives.
We have a Mini Schnauzer on board and he loves it but it's a lot of work on our part to ensure he's happy and safe underway and at the dock. He's no different than it would be having a small child aboard
We have a Mini Schnauzer on board and he loves it but it's a lot of work on our part to ensure he's happy and safe underway and at the dock. He's no different than it would be having a small child aboard
Had a golden retriever on a small 26 foot boat before. He just love it more than we can handle. He swim and chase sea gulls for fun. The only problem with long hair dog is they stink when wet. It takes forever for a goldie to dry.
It's not easy to board and disembark a big dog. Have to look for slip all the time. No way to anchor out.
It's not easy to board and disembark a big dog. Have to look for slip all the time. No way to anchor out.
I think what breed you get has a lot to do with it. I'm partial to rescue dogs, which means mixed breeds. Any lab mix, I think, will do great. My inclination would be a lab/poodle mix (labradoodle); then it wouldn't shed. (Actually, my lab/pit mix only sheds a little bit.) Also, I understand the Portuguese water dogs don't shed. But neither of these will be found in the dog shelters. On the other hand, lab/pit mixes are short hair, don't shed a lot, are loyal as the day is long, and as common in the shelters as robins in spring.
And, yes, for those of us who like dogs, they are great company on a boat (except when it's snack time and you're eating in close quarters with a dog two feet from your face begging for a treat).
And, yes, for those of us who like dogs, they are great company on a boat (except when it's snack time and you're eating in close quarters with a dog two feet from your face begging for a treat).
I love dogs and we used to have one. Late in the evening and early in the morning rain or shine, high winds and calms, you see or hear the dinghy poop patrol looking for somewhere to for doggie to do its business. How many great evenings with friends were ended when the first dog owner said the fateful words " Well go to go and let the dog out". I wish it weren't so but owning a dog is like having a 2 or 3 year old on board FOREVER. Again I love dogs but feel I cannot commit to the degree of responsibility a dog takes nor want to deal with the heartache when the inevitable happens to my aged friend.
And you're both certifiable dog nuts, like we are.
They are extra work sometimes, but so are kids. Each(kids, dogs) adds so much to sailing, it doesn't matter(to us). We went to smaller dogs for several reasons, one of which was sailing, but we sailed our Springer Spaniel(now gone), to the Bahamas.
Smaller dogs are easier to get on and off the boat, seem to be easier to train to using the deck in a pinch(and easy to deal with the clean up), but you should get the dog you love. They should have a pfd on if they leave the cockpit but I don' t think you need netting, some puppies are shorter than toe rails.
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friend of mine had a boxer on board a trimaran in sd bay--was a wonderful goggie--it died and he got another one as a puppy--boxer--and it is doing very well also--i think your boxer will do quite nicely on board. btw the goggie lived a long and happy life before dying of natural causes. no, he didnt drown.
Lots of great advice above. Our lab mix rescue pup loves the boat. He sailed weekends and long cruises with us for a few years and now he lives aboard with us since 2010. We thoroughly enjoy having him with us when cruising. He forces us to get exercise every morning and night.
We sail with two West Highland Terriers. One we got as a pup the other is a rescue dog. One is almost 15, the other we think is about 10. They weigh about 20 lbs each with short sea-legs. They seem to be a good size for a boat, easy to tuck under your arm to climb a ladder or lift up over your head while standing in a dinghy to put them down on a high dock or seawall. No matter how much we load into the dinghy they always fit in some little spot. Both of our guys love to swim.
We live aboard with them for months at a time.
It does tie you down as has been mentioned. We have passed up many social functions, good restaurants etc. but we would not have it any other way they give us and teach us so much.
We find a boat with a sugar scoop stern works very well with a dog. There will be times when it dark wet and windy and you have to take them ashore in the dinghy.
Anchorages are always selected based on what is best for the dogs. There always has to be public land available where you can land a dinghy to take them for some exercise each day. This is not always easy to find. The bigger and higher the energy level of the dog the more exercise they will need.
Also remember dogs need to eat and generally do not like changes in diet. That dog food can take up a fair amount of space on a boat.
Lots of us sail with dogs of all sizes and breeds some how we make it work.
best of luck, Bob
We live aboard with them for months at a time.
It does tie you down as has been mentioned. We have passed up many social functions, good restaurants etc. but we would not have it any other way they give us and teach us so much.
We find a boat with a sugar scoop stern works very well with a dog. There will be times when it dark wet and windy and you have to take them ashore in the dinghy.
Anchorages are always selected based on what is best for the dogs. There always has to be public land available where you can land a dinghy to take them for some exercise each day. This is not always easy to find. The bigger and higher the energy level of the dog the more exercise they will need.
Also remember dogs need to eat and generally do not like changes in diet. That dog food can take up a fair amount of space on a boat.
Lots of us sail with dogs of all sizes and breeds some how we make it work.
best of luck, Bob
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We've had three dogs live with us on our C310, all small dogs and very adaptable to life on the water. My wife had a great idea about how to boat-train the dogs. We had tried the usual litter box with commercial litter, but none of the dogs took to that. Kath went to the local plant nursery and bought a square of turf, and cut it to fit the litter box. Sure enough, each of the dogs got the idea that it was Ok to pee in the grass. Eventually, we switched out the turf for astroturf (or something similar), and just flush it clean off the swim platform. No more rowing to shore every morning and evening. And our dogs have been small enough that a walk around the deck will hold them for a while, until we get to a dock for some real exercise.
I was worried there weren't going to be any pictures. These are great. Last year my wife found Marley, a chihuahua mix that she couldn't be without from a local rescue outfit. Like others have said, its an individual dog's disposition about whether it likes the boat or not. Ours doesn't like the sound of the engine at all. While we are underway she is in a fleece lined car seat for dogs tethered between us. As long as we are sitting next to her all is well and she sleeps under a blanket. She won't stay down in the cockpit or inside without crying. Once we have arrived she is very happy. Of course this dog is very pampered including an electric bed from Amazon. She did take to the Potty Patch (as seen in the photo in front of the helm) so that makes life easier. Otherwise its a very portable dog that is a nice companion.
Allan
Allan
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I have a 2-1/2 year old boxer and take her with me on the boat whenever I can. I only bought my boat about 6 months ago, so previously she had only been on rental boats from my club, including a hobie cat and a wind rider tri-maran. She's not the best boat dog in the world, as she absolutely hates the water, but she has become pretty comfortable on board. Usually she will pick the most inconvenient spot on the leeward side of the cockpit and take a nap on top of whatever jib sheet I want to be using. If I have friends on board she usually takes advantage of the small space and climbs on someones lap.
I got her a life vest because of boxers poor swimming ability. On my MacGreggor 25 she wont ever leave either the cockpit or the cabin, and thus isnt likely to fall overboard so she doesn't wear it there. If I take her out on something smaller or easier to fall off of, like a hobie cat I put it on her. Her aversion to water means she's very careful not to go near the edge of a boat though, and when you try to get her from the big boat into the Dinghy she turns into spider dog and fights to stay aboard.
Boxers can be very high energy, but they are also pretty lazy in my experience. My pup will happily sleep most of the day, just to explode with energy when we hit the beach for 30-45min. Thankfully this means she wears herself out pretty quickly. The couple of weekends I've taken her with me I give her a good run in the morning and she's good all day. Another walk around in the evening and she's good for the night. Overall she's really good, and the joy of having her on board definitely outweighs the hassles.
Here she is on the first day out with the new boat taking advantage of my buddies lap space.
I got her a life vest because of boxers poor swimming ability. On my MacGreggor 25 she wont ever leave either the cockpit or the cabin, and thus isnt likely to fall overboard so she doesn't wear it there. If I take her out on something smaller or easier to fall off of, like a hobie cat I put it on her. Her aversion to water means she's very careful not to go near the edge of a boat though, and when you try to get her from the big boat into the Dinghy she turns into spider dog and fights to stay aboard.
Boxers can be very high energy, but they are also pretty lazy in my experience. My pup will happily sleep most of the day, just to explode with energy when we hit the beach for 30-45min. Thankfully this means she wears herself out pretty quickly. The couple of weekends I've taken her with me I give her a good run in the morning and she's good all day. Another walk around in the evening and she's good for the night. Overall she's really good, and the joy of having her on board definitely outweighs the hassles.
Here she is on the first day out with the new boat taking advantage of my buddies lap space.
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