Dog on board

[HeaveToo]

Hey Guys....I have a new puppy.  I am not sure if I will take her aboard or not but there are a few issues with bringing her aboard.

I would never have her on board for a long trip.  If I did an overnight and went into a marina some of my issues would be fixed....some of them.  I just can't imagine trying to load her into the dingy.

So here is the main issue.....My dog is a Maso Mastiff.  At 4 months she is 35 pounds.  Eventually she should weight about 140 pounds.  

Had anyone attempted cruising with a big dog?  

If I do then marinas may be my only option since she is going to be so big.  She may outweigh my wife.  

Anyone have any ideas?

[wroundey]

My daughter always wanted to take her dog with us - about 45 lb golden cross - but it never happened. My concern would be getting the dog back into the boat if she decided to jump into the water.

[Tim Gardner]

I used to take my 70 Black Lab sailing - she was great on the boat and in the cabin.  She used a doggie pad for her "business".

I now have a new Sea Dog "Buddy"  13 lbs of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel ( 6 mo old) Pic Below with the Admiral.



TG

[deisher6]

Tim, Buddy is growing up so and still looking good. 

We took our 56 Pound weimaranger kayaking.  She had a life jacket with a handle on top for easy handling.  She acted as a windsock, always with her nose into the wind.  She was not comfortable on our C-16 because of the slippery, for her, deck.  Same with the C-27. 

She was however a great upland bird dog.

regards charlie

[Duckie]

I know of a person in Las Vegas who had a mastiff she would take sailing on her Weekender.  The dog took up the whole cabin.  However I never heard that it was a problem.  Every dog is unique. so your pup may not like it as much, but there is no harm in finding out.  A life jacket is a must.  And yeah, hoisting a 150 lb dog back into the boat would be a two strong man job.  I've mis-spent my whole life as a semi-professional dog trainer so not much surprises me too much.  The best thing I can tell you is if you are happy he will be too.  Just always prepare for the worst. 

Al

[MKBLK]

This summer we were blessed with the arrival of "Goldie" our Yellow Lab. I'm looking forward to sailing with this newest crew member. She's now 9 months old, loves water, and has able "sea" legs developed by riding in the back of the Volvo wagon. Can't wait for sailing season to come back. She's comfortable with the cockpit and cabin (on the hard in my driveway).

Now, Goldie has pretty good holding tanks, so as long as I'm not too far from the hard, she should be fine. I am somewhat concerned regarding the slippery deck Charlie mentions. Any suggestions? Pegasus is a CP16, so no safety railings. I figured to always keep a tether on her when under way (and she already has a PFD).

Marty K.
1981 CP16 Pegasus

[Duckie]

If I were to try to sail with a medium size dog like a golden or lab, depending on the relationship I had with the dog, I would teach it that the combings are not to be climbed on.  the cabin is a safe place and essentially his domain.  The bunks are A okay for napping.  I would keep him tethered while under way and not let him near the dock side of the boat when at the dock.  The tether should not be long enough to allow the dog to go over the side at all.  If the dog is in the water being towed along, it could drown in an instant.  If his life jacket does not have a strong handle on it above his shoulders, get one that does.  Lifting a 50 lb  dog back in the boat is much easier with a good handle.  I know this from experience.  I would only let him jump into and off of the boat on my command.  The fore deck is forbidden territory.  Absolutely no chewing on any kind of rope.  No tug of war with the lanyards or sheets.  The tiller is not a chew toy.

A lot of people think that a dog's primary interest in the world is food.  It is not.  What every dog wants more than anything is to be with its family 24 hrs a day.  Taking your dog with you when you go places is heaven for them.  If that means going sailing, it simply means keeping it safe, and because he is with you  the rest will take care of itself.

Al