Sailing With Dogs

Richard19068 · May 16, 2011

How about a bit iof artificial turf in the cockpit? Put a hole in the corner for a small piece of line for a lanyard and then just toss it overboard for a rinse. I have heard of people doing that.

simpsoned · May 16, 2011

That's what we do with our three mutts...two older dogs (14 and 13) learned to pee on artificial turf, and now are comfortable on the boat...the young one picked it up easily and she is a veteran at peeing on the boat...and yes, a length of rope does make it easy to toss overboard to wash out...just remember to give it a rinse first, otherwise you'll have a cockpit decorated with yellow spots as you drag it overboard...Good Luck.
Ed

RichH · May 16, 2011

The "Potty Patch" may be your answer .... astro turf, a drainage layer, and catchment tray all tied down to the foredeck. The collection tray keeps the 'juice' from running all over my teak decks. I have a pressurized deckwash so 'clean up' is easy.

example: http://www.amazon.com/Potty-Patch-L...4?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1305596949&sr=1-4

Since your dog is already trained to go on command, this should be an easy 'conversion' to the patch; or, a few drops of 'Puppy Training Aid' sprinkled onto the patch will sometimes help.

I had rescued a large blind female dog, trained her to 'go on command', waited until she HAD to 'go', introduced her to the 'potty patch' already sprinkled with the puppy training aid - instant success. Saved a lot of dinghy trips to the beach, especially on those 'dark and stormy' nights, etc. Also worked well on long distance ocean passages (but put the patch in the cockpit when it was 'rough' for safety sake).
The 'next' rescue dog, also female, took to it instantly.

Females 'squat' so they take to the patch naturally. Males may need an 'aiming point' aid or 'post', etc. ... or you may have to train a male to 'squat'.

A dog trained to a 'patch' is certainly much better than dinghy-ing to shore twice a day ... or more.

caguy · May 16, 2011

One of the funniest New Yorker cartoons I've seen was a four panel cartoon. I have nerver been able to find it again so you will have to use your imagination.

Panel 1: Man sitting on a bench reading a paper glances over to see a dog lifting his leg and peeing on the bench.
Panel 2: The man stands up and lectures the dog.
Panel 3: The man goes over to the tree and pees on the tree.
Panel 4: The man turns around to find the dog standing on his hind legs, peeing on the bench.

Tom J · May 16, 2011

We used real sod in a litter box to get our dogs used to going on the boat. We then switched to astro turf for the actual cruise. I really felt bad for all those folks loading their dogs into the dinghy, and heading off into the dark/rain to find an open spot in the mangroves. We've recently found scented pads at the pet store that are used to house-train puppies. Should work great on the boat.

med2463 · May 16, 2011

Faris said:
So, we'll be spending up to a week or so at a time on the boat this summer (Venture 22), and always travel with a service dog. So, two adults and a medium-sized dog. She's a pro and has been at this a long time, but never for such extended periods. We could have some 12+ hour days if winds are light.

Here's the thing - she CAN last 12+ hours without peeing, but I won't ask her to. And, she will pee on command, but not on a manmade surface as a rule. My plan is to give her some way to go in the cockpit, and just rinse it out with a bucket. I know that she will go if she has to bad enough. I just don't want to torture her.

I don't think there is any ideal solution to this problem, but I thought I would see if anyone had any experience with this.

This touches on another issue (that of needing a dinghy) that I'll post in another thread.

Cheers.

We trained our 2 dogs to "go" 16 yrs ago on the foredeck. Waited 1 day, then my husband and I took them on the foredeck, he held each of them while I lifted their tail and inserted a suppository in their rectum. Within a minute they both had a bm and they got praises and treats. From then on, they did both jobs on the foredeck. They have both died and we trained our current dog the same way.

Tim R. · May 17, 2011

Why do you have to go so long without a break? Maybe if your passages are off-shore but it does not sound that way. Most folks cruising do not sail/motor more that 4-6 hours per day.

We have a dinghy and taking the dog to shore at least twice a day is part of our routine. No different than when we are at the dock.

Get a dinghy and do not worry about training the dog to go on board.

jackhartjr · May 17, 2011

Mary...had I had been the dog...I would have taken your hand off!LOL (Just kidding there!)
Jack

med2463 · May 17, 2011

jackhartjr said:
Mary...had I had been the dog...I would have taken your hand off!LOL (Just kidding there!)
Jack

It was easier than you might think. Suppository slides in quickly and no fingers needed in the rectum. There are many times when it just isn't practical or safe to take dogs ashore. We don't allow the dog to wander around the decks while underway, but if he whines like he needs to "go" we leash him and take him up to the foredeck, but never if we are heeled.