Taking Your Dog Boating

Lots of dogs love the water, and most enjoy a good car ride, so taking your dog boating is just the natural combination of the two. While some adventures are best left to humans, there’s no reason to keep the four-legged friends at home when there’s a trip that suits them. Like you, your dog will be well served by planning and preparation before hitting the water, and there a few considerations to make ahead of the big day.

If your dog is as important to you as ours are to us at Riva Motorsports and Marine, then wanting them to tag along on boating excursions is as normal as it gets. To help our customers with their concerns, we’ve taken the time to write out a few tips when preparing your dog for boating fun. If you think your dog might enjoy boating as much as you do, head to our location in Key Largo, Florida, where our mission is to build lasting relationships with the boating community and our customers.

Water Comfort

Not every dog is bred with swimming in mind. While retrievers are eager to jump in water of any depth or temperature, a pug or greyhound might not be so willing. So the first step to preparing your dog for boating is knowing whether or not they could even handle being surrounded by water.

A dog also needs to be healthy enough that going overboard won’t necessitate you jumping into the water after them. A dog needs to be able to swim, just like you. Age and constitution should be taken into consideration, and certainly leave them at home if they’re too old or sick to swim.

Smaller breeds can’t handle colder waters because they lose heat too quickly and risk hypothermia. Larger dogs might do fine on land but get bogged down in the water. If you’re unsure how your dog would do on a boat, then it might be best to leave them at home.

In Case of Emergency

Even the best swimming dogs can find themselves struggling to doggy paddle by the end of the day. You want to know what to do if your dog goes overboard and struggles to get back in or find their way to shore. If your dog does go into the water, have the person they’re most likely to listen to stand astern and call them back. Just be calm and firm so you don’t confuse your dog with multiple commands. A dog who doesn’t want to return, or is unable to, might need to be assisted by someone willing to jump in the water.

Bring Supplies

You’ve got your boating gear and supplies and so should your dog. Of course, they’ll need a water bowl and plenty of fresh water. Despite the extremely high possibility of being surrounded by water while boating, you don’t want your dog drinking out of just any lake or river. Treats and toys are good for bored pups, but if you’re focusing on work rather than play then keep the toys at home and treats to a minimum — you don’t want your dog getting seasick after all!

Don’t forget a doggy life jacket. Like for people, it’s recommended that any furry passenger is outfitted with a suitable safety vest. If you’re heading down the river or casting off to sea, this is an absolute necessity. Placid lakes are certainly safer, but even the chop of a passing boat or two is enough to make it too rough for some dogs to effectively swim in. Other supplies, like plastic bags for picking up after your pet and the basics like a leash, collar, and tags are all recommended.

Fishing Concerns

Fishing requires quiet air and calm waters, otherwise the fish will just swim off, leaving you and an overly excited dog without any bites on the line. If your dog is going to be barking and biting at the water every chance it gets, then consider a less stringent boating activity. And that’s not considering all the fishing gear that could hurt or be hurt by your dog. A tangled line or stray fishhook could mean a lot of trouble for both of you.

Consider Your Dog

Dogs usually want to acclimate to their surroundings and will sniff or explore until they’re comfortable. Give them some time to get a feel and smell for your boat. Practice boarding and departing. You can even bring a familiar item to ease them or small dog bed to give them somewhere comfortable to curl up.

If your dog is showing signs of not liking the boating experience (pacing/tapping, barking/whining, or whatever else your particular pup does to get your attention), then consider leaving them behind next time. As much as we like to take our pets out for boating fun, it just might not be enjoyable or healthy for them.

It’s important to consider your dog’s individual needs, so don’t take these general tips as the end of your journey. Some dogs who hate water love boats, and others won’t mind at all as long as they feel like they’re doing work with their best friend. The most important thing is to be aware of your dog’s needs and abilities so you can both have a good time.

And if you’re still looking for a boat that will fit both you and your dog, stop by Riva Motorsports and Marine, where we have the expert knowledge and experience to help with all your boating needs. Stop by our location in Key Largo to chat with our multilingual staff about parts, service, or financing your new boat. Come in today!