Taking Your Dog Boating
Dogs are considered man’s best friend for many reasons, which explains why so many boaters with dogs want to take their pets with them on their boating adventures. With a little preparation and foresight, you can safely take your dog boating with you without any mishaps. Here’s what you need to do.
Obtain Advice From Your Vet
Not all dogs will take well to water, and some dogs with chronic health issues may not be suited to becoming junior mariners. Your veterinarian will be able to tell you whether your dog is healthy enough to be able to boat safely. They may also have some tips for helping to ease your dog into the adventure since they’ll know your dog very well. If your dog is on any medications, make sure that you’ve got a steady supply of them available if you take him aboard with you.
Get Your Dog Used to the Boat
While your boat is moored at the dock, bring your dog on his leash to the boat and let him sniff around before stepping aboard. This is not the time to shove off; you need to simply let your dog get used to the smells, sights, and feel of the boat while it’s safely in the harbor. Give him treats as encouragement and play with him while petting him and speaking in a soothing voice to reassure your dog that the boat is a safe place to be.
Of course, if your dog reacts very badly to this experience, you probably don’t want to bring him on an actual boat trip, so this task can be a good rubric to determine whether your dog is truly seaworthy.
Bring Necessary Supplies
Finally, it’s important to ensure that you’ve got all the supplies you and your dog will need on board the boat. A life vest for your dog is a good idea, as is a leash with a harness. Some life vests may have an attachment for a leash already, too. Bring food and clean water, along with bowls for serving, and a few of your dog’s favorite toys and treats. A dog bed in the cabin will give your dog a quiet place to nap when things become too stressful for him.
When you’re ready to check out new and used boats for sale near you, stop by our location in Bellaire, MI, to browse our expansive boat inventory. Let us know if you’d like our assistance with financing your boat purchase, too. Dewitt Marine is proud to serve our northern Michigan customers in the metro areas of Traverse City and Grand Rapids.