Small Dog on Board

[Tom B.]

Would appreciate suggestions on how to prepare boat for small dog aboard during long term cruising.  Tom B.H356

 

[Steve Dion]

Carpet, bed and a couple of bowls.

Tom:We added berber carpet to the cabin sole. This makes it easier for the dog and us both. This give them something to get some traction on when they are trying to go up the companionway. We also have a bed for her under the salon table. Good place for her to sleep and be out of the way when she is not in the cockpit. You also should get a non-skid bowl for water that does not spill. The food bowl can be just a non-skid one.Our dog will go for several hours without have to 'go'. You may want to get a piece of Astro Turf and put a grommet in the corner (attach a line through the grommet). When the dog needs to 'go' you can just put them on their carpet (astro turf) and dump it overboard when they are done.Remember that if you are going to be in different ports that dog food will attract critters (mice). You should have your dog food in sealable containers. This will help keep the food dry and a little more difficult for the critters to get to it.

 

[Monty]

dogs onboard

I don't know much about long term but for us on our 430 we put rubber backed carpets down, put a dog bed on the floor of the forward cabin and had an inexpensive canvas cover that snaps onto the to and bottom of the companionway steps and velcroes around the steps so the dogs don't see the light through the ladder and they think it is stairs in a house. We purchased the lifejackets that snap around the throat, chest and belly with a nylon handle on top and a plastic clip point. If we want them to stay close we loop their leashes through the metal handhold on the binnacle or they can be fed through the jacklines. On the binnacle they can't get into trouble on the jacklines they can hit the water but would be pretty easy to hoist up. for a potty I took a low rim rectangular tupperware bin, drilled many holes in the bottom and put a couple of inches of pea gravel in the bottom to simulate their dog run. It can be rinsed with the shower in the transom and stores under the helmsmans seat held in place against the swim ladder and drains overboard.Montyps we have 2 dalmatians!!

 

[Bob]

A small freezer +

Large roasting dish with plenty of potatoes and so forth to garnish it while you are cooking it.Probably best gutted before placing in freezer!Once cooked the little pup should last up to a few days in the fridge. OR you could salt the meat if refridgeration is lacking!