Many cruisers have big dogs.

There are several ways that I have seen to deal with this.

One boat had two dinghies - one was for the dog. Their dog was
trained to climb out of the dinghy using the ladder. Unless the dog
is crippled in some way, dogs can climb ladders.

Some people - especially those that go out for extended periods of
time - train the dog to go on a small patch of artificial turf or
similar, and then rinse it off in the ocean afterwards.

The other possibility of course is to come in to a dock every night,
and rig a ramp to the dock for the dog.

There are doggy PFDs which have a harness handle on the top so you can
grab the dog by the handle to lift him if he falls overboard. That's
better than trying to hold him in your arms - just be sure he can't
slip out of the jacket.

In article , Rosalie B wrote:
Many cruisers have big dogs.

There are several ways that I have seen to deal with this.

One boat had two dinghies - one was for the dog. Their dog was
trained to climb out of the dinghy using the ladder. Unless the dog
is crippled in some way, dogs can climb ladders.

Some people - especially those that go out for extended periods of
time - train the dog to go on a small patch of artificial turf or
similar, and then rinse it off in the ocean afterwards.

The other possibility of course is to come in to a dock every night,
and rig a ramp to the dock for the dog.

There are doggy PFDs which have a harness handle on the top so you can
grab the dog by the handle to lift him if he falls overboard. That's
better than trying to hold him in your arms - just be sure he can't
slip out of the jacket.

This talk of dogs on boats, I get visions of a sea-sick labrador, and a
worried owner wondering how they're going to re-hydrate a dog that
doesn't want a drink, doesn't want anything... except dry land!

Justin.

--
Justin C, by the sea.

"Justin C" wrote in message
...
In article , Rosalie B wrote:
Many cruisers have big dogs.

There are several ways that I have seen to deal with this.

One boat had two dinghies - one was for the dog. Their dog was
trained to climb out of the dinghy using the ladder. Unless the dog
is crippled in some way, dogs can climb ladders.

Some people - especially those that go out for extended periods of
time - train the dog to go on a small patch of artificial turf or
similar, and then rinse it off in the ocean afterwards.

The other possibility of course is to come in to a dock every night,
and rig a ramp to the dock for the dog.

There are doggy PFDs which have a harness handle on the top so you can
grab the dog by the handle to lift him if he falls overboard. That's
better than trying to hold him in your arms - just be sure he can't
slip out of the jacket.

This talk of dogs on boats, I get visions of a sea-sick labrador, and a
worried owner wondering how they're going to re-hydrate a dog that
doesn't want a drink, doesn't want anything... except dry land!

Justin.

--
Justin C, by the sea.


The best thing to do is not get to that spot... try short sails in calm
waters a couple of times and see how the pooch reacts, then work up to
longer, rougher trips. I did that years ago with my black lab and never had
a problem. Probably a big issue will be where to put the water, so it
doesn't slosh out of the bowl. A friend of mine doesn't bother with a bowl..
just connects a hose to his fresh water system, and the dog drinks from the
hose. It wastes a lot of water, but he just does day sailing, so it's not an
issue.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

On 2007-07-17 12:45:32 -0400, Justin C said:

In article , Rosalie B wrote:
Many cruisers have big dogs.

There are several ways that I have seen to deal with this.

One boat had two dinghies - one was for the dog. Their dog was
trained to climb out of the dinghy using the ladder. Unless the dog
is crippled in some way, dogs can climb ladders.

Some people - especially those that go out for extended periods of
time - train the dog to go on a small patch of artificial turf or
similar, and then rinse it off in the ocean afterwards.

The other possibility of course is to come in to a dock every night,
and rig a ramp to the dock for the dog.

There are doggy PFDs which have a harness handle on the top so you can
grab the dog by the handle to lift him if he falls overboard. That's
better than trying to hold him in your arms - just be sure he can't
slip out of the jacket.

This talk of dogs on boats, I get visions of a sea-sick labrador, and a
worried owner wondering how they're going to re-hydrate a dog that
doesn't want a drink, doesn't want anything... except dry land!

Justin.

My dogs loved the boat and didn't get seasick. Although a doggie PFD
and perhaps a short jack line would have been a good idea. More than
once a doggie went splash going after a cap that blew off someone's
head, a jumping fish or even a tennis ball some joker was teasing him
with on another boat!

Ruby

Justin C wrote:


This talk of dogs on boats, I get visions of a sea-sick labrador, and a
worried owner wondering how they're going to re-hydrate a dog that
doesn't want a drink, doesn't want anything... except dry land!

Justin.

That's really silly. As were most of the answers to this perfectly
reasonable question.

There are some dogs that get motion sick, just like there are people
that get motion sick. Those dogs will probably also get carsick -
have not had the experience so cannot say. Some cats get motion sick
too and/or don't like the boat engine.

Labs are among the dogs that I would not expect to get seasick based
on how much they love the water. I've seen all kinds of dogs on all
kinds of boats. Jack Russell terriers, shepherds, beagles, mutts,
Golden Retrievers, and poodles. I also know people who cruise with
birds or with cats.

The biggest problem with the big dogs though is how to get them
ashore.

In article 2007071720230927544-rubyvee3@comcastnet,
Ruby Vee wrote:

On 2007-07-17 12:45:32 -0400, Justin C said:

In article , Rosalie B wrote:
Many cruisers have big dogs.

There are several ways that I have seen to deal with this.

One boat had two dinghies - one was for the dog. Their dog was
trained to climb out of the dinghy using the ladder. Unless the dog
is crippled in some way, dogs can climb ladders.

Some people - especially those that go out for extended periods of
time - train the dog to go on a small patch of artificial turf or
similar, and then rinse it off in the ocean afterwards.

The other possibility of course is to come in to a dock every night,
and rig a ramp to the dock for the dog.

There are doggy PFDs which have a harness handle on the top so you can
grab the dog by the handle to lift him if he falls overboard. That's
better than trying to hold him in your arms - just be sure he can't
slip out of the jacket.

This talk of dogs on boats, I get visions of a sea-sick labrador, and a
worried owner wondering how they're going to re-hydrate a dog that
doesn't want a drink, doesn't want anything... except dry land!

Justin.

My dogs loved the boat and didn't get seasick. Although a doggie PFD
and perhaps a short jack line would have been a good idea. More than
once a doggie went splash going after a cap that blew off someone's
head, a jumping fish or even a tennis ball some joker was teasing him
with on another boat!

Ruby

First time I took Della (our Lab/Basset mix) out, I worried that she'd
chase the flying fish. She was *very* interested, but just confined
herself with keen watching! She was also so well-trained that she didn't
pee for three days. I read here about the coiled ropes and when she
finally went on one I don't know who was more relieved!

--
Molesworth

"Rosalie B." wrote in message
...
Justin C wrote:


This talk of dogs on boats, I get visions of a sea-sick labrador, and a
worried owner wondering how they're going to re-hydrate a dog that
doesn't want a drink, doesn't want anything... except dry land!

Justin.

That's really silly. As were most of the answers to this perfectly
reasonable question.

There are some dogs that get motion sick, just like there are people
that get motion sick. Those dogs will probably also get carsick -
have not had the experience so cannot say. Some cats get motion sick
too and/or don't like the boat engine.

Labs are among the dogs that I would not expect to get seasick based
on how much they love the water. I've seen all kinds of dogs on all
kinds of boats. Jack Russell terriers, shepherds, beagles, mutts,
Golden Retrievers, and poodles. I also know people who cruise with
birds or with cats.

The biggest problem with the big dogs though is how to get them
ashore.

I would think the biggest problem would be to be able to carry enough food
for them on an extended cruise. My lab could go through 50 lbs. of kibble in
a couple of weeks. :-)

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

Capt. JG wrote:
"Rosalie B." wrote in message
...
Justin C wrote:

This talk of dogs on boats, I get visions of a sea-sick labrador, and a
worried owner wondering how they're going to re-hydrate a dog that
doesn't want a drink, doesn't want anything... except dry land!

Justin.
That's really silly. As were most of the answers to this perfectly
reasonable question.

There are some dogs that get motion sick, just like there are people
that get motion sick. Those dogs will probably also get carsick -
have not had the experience so cannot say. Some cats get motion sick
too and/or don't like the boat engine.

Labs are among the dogs that I would not expect to get seasick based
on how much they love the water. I've seen all kinds of dogs on all
kinds of boats. Jack Russell terriers, shepherds, beagles, mutts,
Golden Retrievers, and poodles. I also know people who cruise with
birds or with cats.

The biggest problem with the big dogs though is how to get them
ashore.

I would think the biggest problem would be to be able to carry enough food
for them on an extended cruise. My lab could go through 50 lbs. of kibble in
a couple of weeks. :-)

Thanks everyone for the replies. We didn't take the dog on the weekend
cruise last weekend, but we will try, I think, on the next one. I have a
Sportcat that we haven't been using because it's too heavy to put on and
pull off the dock platform all the time, but I'm reconsidering that for
the sake of the dog. That boat is as solid as a rock. I think we'll try
the piece of astroturf trick, put it down in the cockpit then douse it
in the water and wash down the cockpit with a bucket of water too, if he
manages to use it. If not we can throw out the anchor and take him ashore.

If we decide to take him, I'll get one of those PFDs or just a harness
to lift him with. I think I can lift him if I'm up on deck. If not I'll
use the topping lift or a halyard. I can't imagine him being able to
climb up the transom ladder, but I'll sure let him try.

Hadn't though of his water dish sloshing around. I've been wanting to
hook up a hose bib to the water system and this gives me the perfect excuse!

Stephen

"Stephen Trapani" wrote in message
...


Thanks everyone for the replies. We didn't take the dog on the weekend
cruise last weekend, but we will try, I think, on the next one. I have a
Sportcat that we haven't been using because it's too heavy to put on and
pull off the dock platform all the time, but I'm reconsidering that for
the sake of the dog. That boat is as solid as a rock. I think we'll try
the piece of astroturf trick, put it down in the cockpit then douse it in
the water and wash down the cockpit with a bucket of water too, if he
manages to use it. If not we can throw out the anchor and take him ashore.

If we decide to take him, I'll get one of those PFDs or just a harness to
lift him with. I think I can lift him if I'm up on deck. If not I'll use
the topping lift or a halyard. I can't imagine him being able to climb up
the transom ladder, but I'll sure let him try.

Hadn't though of his water dish sloshing around. I've been wanting to hook
up a hose bib to the water system and this gives me the perfect excuse!

Stephen

For the sake of those sharing harbors with you, please don't wash the dog
poop into any area where you cannot also dump your own waste.

KLC Lewis wrote:
"Stephen Trapani" wrote in message
...

Thanks everyone for the replies. We didn't take the dog on the weekend
cruise last weekend, but we will try, I think, on the next one. I have a
Sportcat that we haven't been using because it's too heavy to put on and
pull off the dock platform all the time, but I'm reconsidering that for
the sake of the dog. That boat is as solid as a rock. I think we'll try
the piece of astroturf trick, put it down in the cockpit then douse it in
the water and wash down the cockpit with a bucket of water too, if he
manages to use it. If not we can throw out the anchor and take him ashore.

If we decide to take him, I'll get one of those PFDs or just a harness to
lift him with. I think I can lift him if I'm up on deck. If not I'll use
the topping lift or a halyard. I can't imagine him being able to climb up
the transom ladder, but I'll sure let him try.

Hadn't though of his water dish sloshing around. I've been wanting to hook
up a hose bib to the water system and this gives me the perfect excuse!

Stephen

For the sake of those sharing harbors with you, please don't wash the dog
poop into any area where you cannot also dump your own waste.

I was just referring above to urine. If we are in a harbor or marina, of
course he'll be going ashore for all of it. Duh! :-)

Stephen