crew dog

[Jim Kolstoe]

My family recently adopted a dog, and I have realized that we won't always be able to leave her at home when we go sailling on our h23. She's a rottwieler-shepard mix that the vet thinks will reach about 70lbs. Besides a doggie life jacket and lots of walks on shore, does anyone have suggestions how to deal with a dog on board?Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo

 

[Mike Pajewski]

Sailing with Coco

We have spent many weekends aboard with our dog coco. As she was not introduced to regular sailing till she was around 4 years old, it makes her nervous. Biggest problem is paws do not have effective non skid, and she doesn't really understand what "coming about" means. You have to keep her from falling off the seats. Other than that, she's pretty good on the boat. sHE usually doesn't eat much when we are away for the weekend, so poop trips are limited. By the way, Coco is a Husky- Sheltie mix, looks like a 3/4 scale golden retriever and weighs 40 lbs.Mike Pajewski

 

[Dave Condon]

Schatzi

When I use to own a Southcoast 22, my dog was appx. 3 years old when I got the boat. Guess what? She had to go on a Saturday morning. We pulled up to an island. I jumped out as we did not have a ladder nor was the transom very accessible for getting in and out. The water was an eye opener as it was cold!My wife then handed over our four legged daughter. Off I trot to the island with dog in hand. After stiffing for 45 minutes, I got tired and hauled that rascal back to the boat through the cold water. It was late fall. Passed our daughter back up to the Mrs. and then the fun began. As I remembered, no ladder. I tried to get my big buzzle butt up for over 30 minutes. No luck. It was cold and my wife was laughing hard since I could not get onto the boat. Dog started to sniff again. Back to the island and she finally laid the big one. Passed the dog up and again tried to get onto the boat. After much effort, I dragged this ole buzzler butt up. I bought a ladder and installed it shortly thereafter. By the way, my four legged partner in crime went with us but demanded to be set on dry land. Winter was no fun getting in and out of the boat. Lost some brain cells I thinkCrazy Dave

 

[ted]

big dogs

When i married my wife, not only did i get a good mate but i also inherited two pets, both rottwielers 130-150 lbs brother and sister from same litter.We cant even look like we are going to the boat without them running to the car. There are three areas that they effect us the most. 1 moving about, 2 going to the restroom 3 dog hair, over time we have figured out systems to handle all three areas effectively. They move around the boat (h35.5)fine right now, they are getting old so eventualy they will not be able to get up and down the companion way by them selves. The walk thru transom makes it nice getting them in and out of the dingy, they will only go to the restroom on shore, ive heard people training pets to go on board. They love the water and are in it every chance they get, so we have blankets on the areas they like to set. We also purchased a small 12v shop vac for the hair. Our dogs are great pets and the people on the docks love them, but remember they are a long term commitment so make sure you are willing to handle the added work by having one.They are also expert salmon fisherman, my sons take them all the time. As soon as i get a scanner for my computer i will load some great pictures of them on the photo archieves.

 

[Russ King]

Be considerate of others: use a pooper scooper!

Dogs can be wonderful companions, but remember that this isn't the 18th century. That land/beach your dog uses for a toilet usually belongs to someone (even public land belongs to someone: the municipality, etc.).I don't understand the mentality of dog owners who take their dogs to playgrounds or beaches so the dog can "have a dump". Kids play in playgrounds and on beaches; they are not doggie (or human) toilets. Nobody appreciates the 'gifts' your dog leaves behind, except rats.So don't be a poop. Scoop! And if you don't know what to do with it (i.e., garbage can), take a shovel too. Holes aren't hard to dig. Just don't leave it on the beach, please! People do appreciate dog owners who "scoop".Saw an ashtray many years ago that said, "We don't swim in your toilet. Please don't pee in our pool". If you're considerate to others, everything else falls into place.I'm not a fanatic about this. I don't think you don't need to "scoop" if your dog's in a cow pasture.