Boating – Keeping Your Dog Safe

Does your K9 tag along with you wherever you go?For many dog owners, their dogs go where they go, whether on their motorcycle, in their tent, or of course, on their boat, because their dog is a part of their family. Boating with your dog seems , at face value, a safe and enjoyable activity however, it can be rather dangerous for your dog. Here are just a few tips to apply dog safety while you’re boating.

It is crucial that you have life jackets. This may appear to be an obvious statement, but the sad fact is that many dogs drown each year, when they shouldn’t have. Because our beloved dogs want to please us, they might not tell us even if they could, but the do not have the ability to let you know they are getting fatigued. Life or death could be determined because of a well fitting life jacket.

A dog’s life jacket comes in every imaginable size, from Great Dane size down to tiny toy dog size. Make sure it has at least two clasps around your dog’s torso and one around the neck to keep the jacket snug. To enable you to pull your dog back onto the boat, it helps to also have handles on the back.

Ensure you dog favors the water and that they can swim. Not every dog can swim, despite common belief . Did you ever see a bulldog in the water?  They sink like a brick. Many other breeds are not able to swim and don’t like being in the water.


Gradually introduce your dog to the notion of boating. Moving boats can be disturbing to a dog, and besides, they might not want to wear a life jacket. Let your dog wear their life jacket at home, along with a treat, before you actually introduce them to the boat. The first time you take your dog on the boat, don’t depart from the shore. Let them get used to the movement of the boat on the water and just let them roam around on board.

Take plenty of fresh water. The sun and the fresh air, not to mention the exercise, will make your dog thirsty. You should have lots of fresh water on hand to deter your dog drinking from the lake. Poisonous to dogs, water contaminated with Blue-Green algae is very dangerous .

Both water and air temperatures should be monitored. If a K9′s body temperature becomes too low and they become hypothermic, they can die from hypothermia, just like humans. While air temperature may be too cool, it can just as well be too hot. If you’re out on a hot and sunny day, it is urgent to make sure your dog has a place to evade the sun’s strong rays, since some dogs can sunburn. A dog having light skin and short hair should have sunscreen put on.

Now, let’s study a few other safety issues related to dog boating

Where is your dog going to go to the bathroom?  If you’re not going to be going back and forth to the shore, ensure your dog has an appropriate place on the boat to go to the bathroom. Also, just in case, you will want to carry a first aid kit for your dog. Lastly, be sure you dog stays out of the way of other boats and watercraft. It may help other boats notice your dog in the water to use a brightly colored PFD, but it’s not worth the risk .

It is feasible to go boating and take your dog along with you. Making sure your pooch is comfortable on the boat and water just demands a few safeguards, a little additional time and a bit of planning. It is possible to be safe with your dog while boating. Have fun!

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