I am new to sailing. I also have a new dog and would like to take him with me on the boat. Where and how do I teach him to relief himself. He is a Boxer (big Dog). We have a 34 ft Hunter. I do not have a clue where to start. Thanks for any help. Joe
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I'm no expert
Hi Joe - The disclaimer here is that I've so far failed miserably to get my dog to relieve himself on the boat. I've tried desperately, including bringing along a piece of faux grass on a matt, covering it with moss, wiping a rag with dog pee on it, the works. The thing I haven't tried, is trying to get the dog to go on the mat in the backyard first, along with a good dose of patience. I think the boat experience is enough to bewilder a pet, so get him/her used to something in a familiar environment, and then try transferring that to the boat. That's what I'm gonna try anyway! Best of luck! Trevor
Hi Joe - The disclaimer here is that I've so far failed miserably to get my dog to relieve himself on the boat. I've tried desperately, including bringing along a piece of faux grass on a matt, covering it with moss, wiping a rag with dog pee on it, the works. The thing I haven't tried, is trying to get the dog to go on the mat in the backyard first, along with a good dose of patience. I think the boat experience is enough to bewilder a pet, so get him/her used to something in a familiar environment, and then try transferring that to the boat. That's what I'm gonna try anyway! Best of luck! Trevor
Joe, its boat and breed specific
To get a boxer to relief itself on a Hunter 34 will require you to instruct the dog in german. Scott;D
To get a boxer to relief itself on a Hunter 34 will require you to instruct the dog in german. Scott;D
Clicker training
The fastest way to teach any dog new tricks is with clicker training. Even our recalcitrant Siberian Husky rapidly responded. Once you understand how to do it, it is amazing what you can do. Check the website below, get a book, or find a trainer to give you a one hour lesson. Clickers are everywhere now (you can find them in the checkout line at Petsmart). Don't forget the harness and PFD for Fido. Harry Greenspun Bethesda, MD Hunter 456 - "Czech Mate" harry@greenspun.com
The fastest way to teach any dog new tricks is with clicker training. Even our recalcitrant Siberian Husky rapidly responded. Once you understand how to do it, it is amazing what you can do. Check the website below, get a book, or find a trainer to give you a one hour lesson. Clickers are everywhere now (you can find them in the checkout line at Petsmart). Don't forget the harness and PFD for Fido. Harry Greenspun Bethesda, MD Hunter 456 - "Czech Mate" harry@greenspun.com
Tell him to hold it!
Joe: You may want to train him to hold it, that is what I have tried with the better half. <g> What we have been told is to get a piece of Astro turf. You can punch some gromette holes in the corners and fasten it up in the bow area. Now I really do not like this idea. First problem that I see is that pee runs down hill. On our H31 the bow is higher than the stern. This means that everything is going to run back to the stern anyway. Since you have a male, maybe you can train him to pee downwind. You have got a problem! Our dog seens to just hold it. Even when we have her out for several hours, it never has seemed to be much of a problem. Of course once we hit the dock she is really ready to go. Oh ya, I forgot the time that she had the runs. Just flushed the deck down with sailing water and finsihed it up when we got back to the dock. Good luck, and let us know how YOUR training goes!
Joe: You may want to train him to hold it, that is what I have tried with the better half. <g> What we have been told is to get a piece of Astro turf. You can punch some gromette holes in the corners and fasten it up in the bow area. Now I really do not like this idea. First problem that I see is that pee runs down hill. On our H31 the bow is higher than the stern. This means that everything is going to run back to the stern anyway. Since you have a male, maybe you can train him to pee downwind. You have got a problem! Our dog seens to just hold it. Even when we have her out for several hours, it never has seemed to be much of a problem. Of course once we hit the dock she is really ready to go. Oh ya, I forgot the time that she had the runs. Just flushed the deck down with sailing water and finsihed it up when we got back to the dock. Good luck, and let us know how YOUR training goes!
Just tell him that
he will not be at the helm unless he learns to go overboard. Actually, this litle guy learned to go on the training paper that we keep on the head's floor and he has no problem letting us know when he needs to go.
he will not be at the helm unless he learns to go overboard. Actually, this litle guy learned to go on the training paper that we keep on the head's floor and he has no problem letting us know when he needs to go.
Attachments
Dog help
Hello Joe, I have trained dogs as a line of work for over 36 years. What Trevor and what Harry state are about the best ways to accomplish what you need. It will take some time but remember that you are dealing with an animals behavior. To modify the behavior to your needs you must use pos + neg - reinforcement and reportition is the key. The more you do the task and reward the animal for good deeds the better the results . You can use verbal / physical praise or food as a reward for a good deed and you should use stern verbal corrections when the task is not accomplished. Just think of the boat as your home and the deck as your yard or area that the animal must do it's business on. Just secure a place on deck for that reason and scent it. Remember an animal should be able to hold for some time. A pup should be able to hold one hour for every month alive after housebreaking,IE 4 months old =4 hours and an adult many hours. Restrict water and food intake while on sail if you can. While training on the boat keep a watchful eye for signs that the animal needs to go. Take the animal to the spot on deck and do this often until it understands. Remember the animal wants to please you more than you might know. It will take time but keep at it. Remember boating safety and use a PFD at all times and make sure the animal has one on also. Again you might have to train the animal to wear one. Good luck and let us all know how you do.
Hello Joe, I have trained dogs as a line of work for over 36 years. What Trevor and what Harry state are about the best ways to accomplish what you need. It will take some time but remember that you are dealing with an animals behavior. To modify the behavior to your needs you must use pos + neg - reinforcement and reportition is the key. The more you do the task and reward the animal for good deeds the better the results . You can use verbal / physical praise or food as a reward for a good deed and you should use stern verbal corrections when the task is not accomplished. Just think of the boat as your home and the deck as your yard or area that the animal must do it's business on. Just secure a place on deck for that reason and scent it. Remember an animal should be able to hold for some time. A pup should be able to hold one hour for every month alive after housebreaking,IE 4 months old =4 hours and an adult many hours. Restrict water and food intake while on sail if you can. While training on the boat keep a watchful eye for signs that the animal needs to go. Take the animal to the spot on deck and do this often until it understands. Remember the animal wants to please you more than you might know. It will take time but keep at it. Remember boating safety and use a PFD at all times and make sure the animal has one on also. Again you might have to train the animal to wear one. Good luck and let us all know how you do.
Is it a puppy?...
You have already got some good suggestions, but here are some additional ideas... If you have a puppy, you can incorporate potty training on the boat as well as at home. Crate training will work well in both places. Get a small foldable crate to bring to the boat while still a puppy. Locate the crate in a place that is close to where you are so the dog doesn't feel isolated. I beleive in positive only reinforcement for training and very much beleive in the clicker training methods; the clicker becomes optional pretty quick, in fact not really needed at all. Use a quick word like "YES" in a happy voice to mark the desired behaviour. Follow up with a treat (My dog is really fond of cubed chicken breast). Here is what to do with a puppy. Crate train... Dog goes in crate, comes out after the number of hours that equals its age in months (up to about 5 or 6 months). 2 months old, should last two hours. As soon as the pup comes out of crate, he goes to designated potty place and gets no play time until after he releives himself. As soon as pup finished its business, click (or say "YES") and follow up with a good treat and play time. After being out for 1/2 to 1.5 hours, pup goes back in crate to start the cycle again. If pup doesn't releive himself, back in crate, no play time or extra attention. When the pup starts to get the idea, use a marking word (Potty, Busy, etc.) and use that when the pup starts to go, then "YES" and treat after. Soon the pup will associate the command. This should work well for a grown dog, too, but you need a much bigger crate! My dog will pee on command, which is very helpful on cold snowy nights when I want to get back inside! To mark a place on your boat, you might try putting a piece of carpet or astroturf in the regular designated potty spot at home, then bring that to the boat to help pup make the association. Our trainer has many clients teach their dog to ring a bell when they need to go, and it is quite amazing! We opted for whining instead (dog will never lose its whiner, and I refuse to jump when a dog rings a bell) and she will whine when it is time to go out. Good luck and fair winds... Tom
You have already got some good suggestions, but here are some additional ideas... If you have a puppy, you can incorporate potty training on the boat as well as at home. Crate training will work well in both places. Get a small foldable crate to bring to the boat while still a puppy. Locate the crate in a place that is close to where you are so the dog doesn't feel isolated. I beleive in positive only reinforcement for training and very much beleive in the clicker training methods; the clicker becomes optional pretty quick, in fact not really needed at all. Use a quick word like "YES" in a happy voice to mark the desired behaviour. Follow up with a treat (My dog is really fond of cubed chicken breast). Here is what to do with a puppy. Crate train... Dog goes in crate, comes out after the number of hours that equals its age in months (up to about 5 or 6 months). 2 months old, should last two hours. As soon as the pup comes out of crate, he goes to designated potty place and gets no play time until after he releives himself. As soon as pup finished its business, click (or say "YES") and follow up with a good treat and play time. After being out for 1/2 to 1.5 hours, pup goes back in crate to start the cycle again. If pup doesn't releive himself, back in crate, no play time or extra attention. When the pup starts to get the idea, use a marking word (Potty, Busy, etc.) and use that when the pup starts to go, then "YES" and treat after. Soon the pup will associate the command. This should work well for a grown dog, too, but you need a much bigger crate! My dog will pee on command, which is very helpful on cold snowy nights when I want to get back inside! To mark a place on your boat, you might try putting a piece of carpet or astroturf in the regular designated potty spot at home, then bring that to the boat to help pup make the association. Our trainer has many clients teach their dog to ring a bell when they need to go, and it is quite amazing! We opted for whining instead (dog will never lose its whiner, and I refuse to jump when a dog rings a bell) and she will whine when it is time to go out. Good luck and fair winds... Tom
green carpet
I have read that some people have trained their dogs to go on the green astro-turf type carpet. once the pooch has done his business you pick up after your dog and toss the carpet overboard with line attached to rinse it off.
I have read that some people have trained their dogs to go on the green astro-turf type carpet. once the pooch has done his business you pick up after your dog and toss the carpet overboard with line attached to rinse it off.
Smart Dogs
Boxers are smart dogs - you should have no problem teaching them to releave themselves on Hunters. (sorry, couldn't help myself as a Catalina owner - Hunters are good boats and this was just in jest). *grr
Boxers are smart dogs - you should have no problem teaching them to releave themselves on Hunters. (sorry, couldn't help myself as a Catalina owner - Hunters are good boats and this was just in jest). *grr
doggies
I sail with a greyhound. He is allowed to go in the cockpit if we're under sail. I presume you have a bucket, drains etc. He informs us, no matter where he is, that the time is now and as you must know, dogs do not lie. Watch the dog's behavior, anticipate his needs, and reward him when he accomplishes what you require of him, and he/she will not dissappoint you. Regards to you and the dog, Jim
I sail with a greyhound. He is allowed to go in the cockpit if we're under sail. I presume you have a bucket, drains etc. He informs us, no matter where he is, that the time is now and as you must know, dogs do not lie. Watch the dog's behavior, anticipate his needs, and reward him when he accomplishes what you require of him, and he/she will not dissappoint you. Regards to you and the dog, Jim
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