Pets on board.

[gary]

I see articles and photographs all the time of people with their pets on board. Mostly dogs, but some cats. In fact when I opened the site tonight there on the home page was a shot of someones dog on board their boat. The point to this is - how do you do this? Do they take to this naturally? What about walking them? Do they get on boasrd from a dinghy? Where do they pee if you can't get them ashore in time? I have a dog I would like to try this with, but have the above questions. Thanx in advance.
gary

 

[Stu Jackson]

From what I've read about this, a lot depends on what kind of dog. Size, affinity to water, able to go up and down companionway stairs, etc.

You could do a search on this board, like "dogs" and read a lot which would start to answer your questions.

 

[JK_Boston_Catalina310]

Start slow. Take the dog down to the boat but don't go out. Just sit at the dock or mooring.

If you use a dink take the dog for a fun ride. Like to a place to run. We have a dog park near us that she loves to go to. Now she jumps into the dink when she wants to go for a run or to the bathroom.

Definitely get a life jacket. One with a bright color.

Good luck

 

[timvg]

My 6 year old beagle has been boating since she we got her as a puppy. Her favorite pastime is to howl at dolphins. She loves the dinghy and hates the water (which is good, so she has no temptation to jump in). But if the dinghy is tied up, she jumps into that, hoping to go somewhere.

We take her ashore to do her business. When she was younger, she would go on a pee-pad in the cockpit, but she stubbornly holds it now. When we are sailing (or motoring) we always have her harness tethered. We know that if she were to fall overboard, getting her back would be difficult, so going overboard isn't an option.

Her favorite destination is Two Harbors at Catallina and really do plan trips there so the dog can get her fix.

 

[Tom J]

Our dog lives aboard with us in the summer, and she loves the boat. We got her to do her business on the boat by putting pieces of real turf in the litter box. When she got comfortable with that, we switched to artificial turf that we rinse out. She is small enough that we pass her in or out of the dinghy from the swim platform. She also stays tethered when we are underway, and when we are anchored, she loves to sit on the bow with the breeze on her face. We also installed netting on the lifeline stanchions, so she is safe while on deck. Fortunately, she likes the water and enjoys a good swim. When we get to the yacht club, she runs down the dock and would jump aboard if we let her. Hope you have as much fun with a pet as we have.

 

[Scott B]

Definately not comfortable on board .....

And hates swimming .....

First time we had her out in the boat, she jumped off the dock at a friends cottage and started swimming, because she thought she was being left behind. Now she's gets excited when we head to the boat, loves to swim and loves going for a tear on the beach where we usually anchor. ( she doesn't just run she tears around ). We just have to make sure we anchor were we can get to shore.

 

[justsomeguy]

I did hear one horror story of a cat climbing the mainsail...That, I wouldn't care for.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Lots also depends on your boat configuration and size. If you have a walk through transom, it's gotta be easier to get a larger dog off the boat than a closed transom.

 

[inarathree]

I take my boston out most of the time. She gets so excited when I start piling up sailing stuff by the front door. She has only been out on day sails, but the longest she has been out is 8 hours. Here you can see her hard at work - its just as relaxing for her as it is for her pet.

 

[Sail123]

One of our 32's is named after our Maltese, Sugar Bee. He loves sailing. He also serves as dock master. (he thinks)

The "Sugar Bee" has an aft cabin that is Sugar Bee's bedroom (That is about how much room there is in there.)

He has his own life jackets, and always wears one when on the docks or out sailing.

 

[Juice6576]

Molly & Theo are little salty dogs

We always took our Sheltie-Husky mix for weekends on our H26. Our current dogs have made a weekend cruise and have been day sailing. Sometimes they've gotten a little sea sick. T hey have life jackets and we use wee-wee pads if they need to go while underway.

 

[Dan Hill]

Sheltie-Husky?? Now theres a funny mix lol. I have an aunt that raises and shows Shelties internationally. I bet they would make great boat dogs.