Boating Safety Tips for Dogs

Dania Cutoff Canal

What’s more fun than a day on a boat?  Sharing the fun with your dog!  Here are a few tips to keep your dog safe.

1. Have a personal floatation device (PFD) for your dog.  Even if your dog knows how to swim, in rough water or at night you may not be able to retrieve your buddy immediately.

 2. Have plenty of fresh drinking water available.  Although dogs don’t sweat, they lose fluids panting.  If a bumpy ride makes a water bowl on deck difficult, try squirting water from a sport bottle in your dog’s mouth.

3. Be careful of the heat.  Hot surfaces can injure paws.  Provide adequate shade to avoid heatstroke.

4.  If your dog is not familiar with boating, allow your dog to get accustomed to the boat while it is tied to the dock and the motor is off.  Remove your dog from the boat and lead him far from the boat.  Then have someone turn on the engine.  This will allow your dog to experience loud outboards (if you have one) from far away.  Allow the dog to approach the boat at his pace while the motor is on.   Make your first trip on the boat short.  Dogs sometimes get seasick just like people do.

5.  Bring a leash so you can get off the boat for potty breaks.

 

Have a great time boating with your best friend!