My wife and I are taking a 3-4 week cruise to the Abacos this summer on our Catalina 400. We have a 9 month old Doberman and would like ideas on how to train her to poop and pee in the best way/place possible.
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Pet training
We are in the process of trying to train our dog (dachsund) to go on the boat. We brought a piece of astro turf and scented urine cloths but it has not worked consistantly. We take her up on deck and we put the turf at the bow but she will not squat there. Be prepared to waitup to 3 days before your dog will actually go on deck. They eventually will though maybe not on the turf. Personally I am just happy when the dog does go it is fiberglass after all and can easily be washed off. Carry a treat with you and instantly reward and praise her for doing her duty. Most dogs that are housebroken are very reluctant to go on the boat/house. They need reiforcement that it is okay.
We are in the process of trying to train our dog (dachsund) to go on the boat. We brought a piece of astro turf and scented urine cloths but it has not worked consistantly. We take her up on deck and we put the turf at the bow but she will not squat there. Be prepared to waitup to 3 days before your dog will actually go on deck. They eventually will though maybe not on the turf. Personally I am just happy when the dog does go it is fiberglass after all and can easily be washed off. Carry a treat with you and instantly reward and praise her for doing her duty. Most dogs that are housebroken are very reluctant to go on the boat/house. They need reiforcement that it is okay.
Take it ashore.
Jeremy: It would seem that you would be able to take him/her ashore once or twice a day. Like the previous post replied, they really don't want to go aboard the boat. The only real deal hear is the passage from the mainland. I don't know how long that is but you may be suprised how long they can hold it. Be sure that you check the local laws in the area that you will be located. Some countries don't like animals (unless they are edible).
Jeremy: It would seem that you would be able to take him/her ashore once or twice a day. Like the previous post replied, they really don't want to go aboard the boat. The only real deal hear is the passage from the mainland. I don't know how long that is but you may be suprised how long they can hold it. Be sure that you check the local laws in the area that you will be located. Some countries don't like animals (unless they are edible).
Pets on board?
Now don't get me wrong, I love my pets. But why complicate a cruise and bring an animal? Here's my reasoning: Local laws - In quite a few places (even popular cruising grounds) taking an animal ashore is illegal Holding it? - How would you like to be forced to hold it for days or be too frightened to go? Accidents down below - Great...yet another odor to deal with Speaking of odors - A wet dog in a confined space? Nuff said there Room to roam - I don't think so Damage - Like I don't spend enough time buffing scratches out of my gel-coat from normal wear and tear Nope...sorry, but it's a pet sitter for me. Taking an animal aboard (especially an extended cruise) is inhumane. I know that there are people who will disagree with me and will swear that their pet is as happy as a dog rolling in...well whatever dogs are happy rolling in, but maybe their faithful companion is just tolerating it. I am truly an animal lover which is why I would never subject mine to cruising. Well...there's my two-cents (U.S.), now...Fire away! Cheers, Bob
Now don't get me wrong, I love my pets. But why complicate a cruise and bring an animal? Here's my reasoning: Local laws - In quite a few places (even popular cruising grounds) taking an animal ashore is illegal Holding it? - How would you like to be forced to hold it for days or be too frightened to go? Accidents down below - Great...yet another odor to deal with Speaking of odors - A wet dog in a confined space? Nuff said there Room to roam - I don't think so Damage - Like I don't spend enough time buffing scratches out of my gel-coat from normal wear and tear Nope...sorry, but it's a pet sitter for me. Taking an animal aboard (especially an extended cruise) is inhumane. I know that there are people who will disagree with me and will swear that their pet is as happy as a dog rolling in...well whatever dogs are happy rolling in, but maybe their faithful companion is just tolerating it. I am truly an animal lover which is why I would never subject mine to cruising. Well...there's my two-cents (U.S.), now...Fire away! Cheers, Bob
It may be a matter of size
I don’t completely agree Bob’s argument, although getting a small size pet into cruising mode may be a lot easier than a large one. I know several people that have successfully trained their larger dog to go on the bow and seem happy to take them around. Let’s face it, leaving the pooch behind is not easy on the family. We trained our poodle toy Jimmy using training pads sold in pet stores. He learned to go both wet and solid in them after the second day of our trip from Lauderdale to Jacksonville. Due to his small size, we trained him go on the floor of the shower in our 361 B and the paper absorbed quite well his pee. Recently, my wife bought a carrying bag to transport him to and from shore and he liked it so much that he now prefers to be on his pouch while on the way. See, by hanging the bag from the winch, he is always vertical and does not role around the cockpit as the boat leans over. As a result, of this discovery all, Jimmy, my wife and my son are now happy cruisers and this makes my life a lot happier.
I don’t completely agree Bob’s argument, although getting a small size pet into cruising mode may be a lot easier than a large one. I know several people that have successfully trained their larger dog to go on the bow and seem happy to take them around. Let’s face it, leaving the pooch behind is not easy on the family. We trained our poodle toy Jimmy using training pads sold in pet stores. He learned to go both wet and solid in them after the second day of our trip from Lauderdale to Jacksonville. Due to his small size, we trained him go on the floor of the shower in our 361 B and the paper absorbed quite well his pee. Recently, my wife bought a carrying bag to transport him to and from shore and he liked it so much that he now prefers to be on his pouch while on the way. See, by hanging the bag from the winch, he is always vertical and does not role around the cockpit as the boat leans over. As a result, of this discovery all, Jimmy, my wife and my son are now happy cruisers and this makes my life a lot happier.
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We always go ashore
I doubt I could convince my dog to go on the boat even is I wanted to (which I don't). If I were going on a longer cruise where I would be away from land for too long a period, I'd have to leave him at home. However for the cruising I normally do, having a dog on board is no problem. As for size, I think big dogs do fine. This don't mind the cold and they can jump on and off by their self. My dog only wants to be where we are, leaving him at home would be far harder on him then us. Paul
I doubt I could convince my dog to go on the boat even is I wanted to (which I don't). If I were going on a longer cruise where I would be away from land for too long a period, I'd have to leave him at home. However for the cruising I normally do, having a dog on board is no problem. As for size, I think big dogs do fine. This don't mind the cold and they can jump on and off by their self. My dog only wants to be where we are, leaving him at home would be far harder on him then us. Paul
We go ashore
I doubt I could train my dog to go on board even if I wanted to (smell). If I were going on a cruise where I couldn't go ashore a couple times a day then I would leave him at home. That's just personal preference though. On the normal cruising I do, I love having my dog with me and I don't think the size matters at all. Big dogs can jump on and off on their own and don't mind the cold damp weather we get. Besides, I think he likes the boat even more then I do. Paul
I doubt I could train my dog to go on board even if I wanted to (smell). If I were going on a cruise where I couldn't go ashore a couple times a day then I would leave him at home. That's just personal preference though. On the normal cruising I do, I love having my dog with me and I don't think the size matters at all. Big dogs can jump on and off on their own and don't mind the cold damp weather we get. Besides, I think he likes the boat even more then I do. Paul
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When anchored out
My 6 year old Dalmation, goes sailing more times than she stays home. I have a dingy that cruise's her to shore. The problem with that is my boat doesn't have a swim platform, and I don't like the smell of wet dog onboard. She is lifted down to the dingy and then back up. And she weights about 50 lbs. so I could see where a smaller dog might do better in my case. I don't think I could ever train her to go potty on the boat....hard to teach a older dog new tricks.....With our future plans for sailing on blue waters she "Jasmine" will be our last dog. I have a cat that always stays home (they are more self-sufficient) Who knows, maybe my next pet on the boat will be a cat. Any ideas on cats on a boat? Smooth sailing, Carol
My 6 year old Dalmation, goes sailing more times than she stays home. I have a dingy that cruise's her to shore. The problem with that is my boat doesn't have a swim platform, and I don't like the smell of wet dog onboard. She is lifted down to the dingy and then back up. And she weights about 50 lbs. so I could see where a smaller dog might do better in my case. I don't think I could ever train her to go potty on the boat....hard to teach a older dog new tricks.....With our future plans for sailing on blue waters she "Jasmine" will be our last dog. I have a cat that always stays home (they are more self-sufficient) Who knows, maybe my next pet on the boat will be a cat. Any ideas on cats on a boat? Smooth sailing, Carol
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