Boating With Your Dog
Dogs are part of our families, so it only makes sense that you’d want to bring a man’s best friend along with you on your boating adventures. However, it is important to take the time to adequately prepare yourself, your family, and your dog for the trip. Here’s what you need to know about boating with your dog in order to keep everyone safe on the voyage.
Considering Your Dog’s Abilities
First, it’s a good idea to figure out if your dog is actually going to be able to handle being in a boat and out on the water. If your dog seems to enjoy the water in general and has paddled around in the pool before, then he’s probably going to be okay on a boat. If your dog shies away from every body of water, then you may want to leave him at home.
Factor in your dog’s age, size, and overall temperament when making this decision. Your dog may be too young or too old for the trip to be successful, and if he’s too big for your small boat, he could capsize it. A very eager, jumping dog may also make boating unsafe. Try leading him on your boat while it’s safely moored or even trailered on shore to allow him to examine the space and see if he’s comfortable with it.
Bring Supplies
You should also make sure you have the necessary supplies with you to keep your dog comfortable on the boat. Food and water bowls with plenty of fresh food and water will ensure he’s sated and hydrated. Some treats can help you encourage your dog to follow your lead. A leash and a life jacket are also important. You’ll need some puppy pads as well as cleaning supplies so your dog can relieve himself, too. A few toys wouldn’t be a bad idea!
Establish an Emergency Plan
Making a plan in advance helps you respond quicker in the moment of crisis. Decide how you would handle your dog falling overboard. Pick the family member the dog will most likely listen to. That person will call the dog back to the boat. Everyone else should remain calm and quiet. Hopefully, your dog will swim back to you all. You should also nominate someone who’s a good swimmer to jump in after the dog if needed.
When you’re ready to check out new and used boats in Florida, you can visit one of our three locations in North Miami or our Pompano Beach location to see what we have in stock. Let us know if you’d like to use our financing options on your boat purchase. Bob Hewes Boats is proud to serve our customers in greater Miami and Fort Lauderdale, FL.