How do you ask a dog ...

[Scott]

if she likes sailboats? My wife and kids finally convinced me that we should have a dog, so we're driving down to Maryland to pick up our adopted little girl at a doggie foster home for abandoned pets (my wife has 3 boys and always wanted a girl). I agreed to this only if the dog likes to sail. My problem is, I don't know how to ask her if she is ok with this. Furthermore, I would be horrified to learn too late that the doggie likes stinkpots, but not rag wavers. Should I just take a chance on this or are there any sure-fire indicators that will give me a clue!

 

[Bob]

Omen

If the dog throws up repeatedly in the car on the way home, it's a bad sign.

 

[Pelican17818]

Dogs on Boats

Your dog will love sailing because that is where you and your family will be. Your dog will want to go wherever you go. The rest it will learn.Dogs on boats can be a lot of fun. Especially the part about getting up early in the morning and taking it by dinghy to shore. And doing it again before bedtime. Lately our black lab has taken to barking at dolphins. It got so bad, and he was leaning so far over the side, that we had to leash him to the mast on a recent trip. It didn't help matters that a couple of the dolphins kept coming to the surface and clearing their blowholes -- as if to tease the dog.Underway we always have the dog in a life jacket. If nothing else, he draws a lot of attention when we are underway.

 

[nvonstaden]

poop

i have my Vizsula on ovur sailboat Herr-H-28, se loves it i have a piect of astro truf(plastic door mat) on a line that she goes on (try using some of her own on it to train her) ..then just toss it over boat to wash out holding on the4 line of course...will do on a long sail..I'll admit to not following the santitary laws on dumping waste but..

 

[Scott]

Well, she's part of the family now!

We'll soon get to see how she adapts to sailing. Bob, she didn't throw up on the way home but she did poop on the carpet within 2 minutes of arriving home, despite numerous opportunities to go outside first! We think she will love swimming because she is part setter and we got a vest to make it possible to hoist her on deck. Sue is worried that she will slide right off the deck when the boat heels over. She is very active so it will be hard to keep her confined.Sanitation shouldn't be a problem just yet because we don't spend long hours on board, but in the future it may be more of an issue.

 

[Melissa]

sailing dogs

Scott,I agree with the person who posted that your dog will be happy where you are. A little over a year ago we adopted our doggie. We liveaboard and she does great. Her longest trip so far has been a week - but we'll be doing 3 weeks in September. Other than that we've done weekend trips. She also goes on the astroturf - it's great not HAVING to dinghy her to shore if we don't want to and it gives her a place to go underway (although sometimes under protest).We use a PFD, little shoes and lifeline netting to make sure she stays aboard.I'm sure you'll love having your little one around.You can see pictures of Matey sailing on the attached link.Melissa and Matey

 

[Rich (P303)]

you have to make a choice

As my brother-in-law says...You can have a dog...or nice things...but you can't have them both!You need to make the choice! Good LuckRich

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Apparently yr b-i-l has never heard of

obedience classes, or even that pets can learn discipline (but since many parents today don't seem to think that children can either, it's not surprising). Many people (me included) have dogs and cats AND nice things. And I can't count the number of people who also sail--and even live aboard--with one or the other, or both.Pets--like children--are much happier when good behavior is taught and enforced. It's not easy till the animal (or child) learns what is and isn't expected...but there is no creature more welcome on a boat or anywhere else than a well behaved child or pet. And none less welcome than one that isn't.

 

[Don s/v Tellico]

The mark the carpet early on...

that's just a rule with dogs I think. As for sailing, I've got 2 dogs that alternate traveling with me. As soon as the engine comes on, they both go to sleep. (I think they are secretly stink pot dogs, but I haven't tested that theory.)They are ok sailing until the winds pipes up, then they can get a little nervous, but that might only be a reflection of my increased state of stress.

 

[rsn48]

Sheesh! Do I have to do everything

Okay, you enquired - "How do you ask a dog ... if she likes sailboats?" - well, try asking her this -Woof, Woof, grrrrr, whine, woof, bark?If she barks back "Woof, Woof!" she likes sailing.Sheesh, do I have to do everything here?