Dogs on Deck

Countless boaters bring their dogs aboard to do everything from simply standing at the bow—nose eagerly pointed into the breeze and floppy ears flapping—to participating in water sports such as paddleboarding and kayaking. Many dogs, mutts and purebreds alike, love boats and the water. Given the chance and the right training, they can safely and happily participate in everything from dinghy rides to water sports, enhancing their time on board with the family as well as the experience of the humans at the helm. Here are some things you can do to ensure the safety and comfort of your pet.

The most important step is getting your dog safely on and off the boat, according to Mike Valtaro of BoatUS. “Give them something they’re confident with,” he says. Valtaro actually built a ramp for his dog Finn, a Nova Scotia Duck Trolling Retriever. “It looked like the world’s cheapest passerelle, but the little bridge was perfect for Finn, who quickly learned that it was a safe path.” The homemade ramp could also be attached to the swim platform, as a way for Finn to get in and out of the water when the family went swimming. “There was enough buoyancy, so he would swim up to it while loosely floating in the water, sink it with his paws and then walk up.” Valtaro’s family now has a different boat, for which he purchased an inflatable ramp called Pup Plank.

Anytime a pet is on the water, it should be wearing a life jacket. Before buying one, try a few on your dog at the store. You want a design that fits securely. A life jacket that’s too loose can be dangerous for your pet, particularly if a limb gets stuck. Check that the location of straps and buckles won’t make your pet uncomfortable. You might want a model with a lifting handle, which makes it safer and easier to retrieve your pet from the water. It makes sense to choose a life jacket in a bright color, so it’s easier to spot your pup on the water. Before you bring your dog down to the dock in the PFD, let him get accustomed to his new piece of safety gear while wearing it on land.

It’s also a good idea to have your dog practice swimming in the new life jacket before going out on the boat for the first time. The American Kennel Club suggests bringing toys and treats to the water while testing out the jacket, so your pet feels more comfortable. Start by having your pup walk in the water wearing the lifejacket; eventually encourage the dog to swim once it’s comfortable. Some dogs are cautious about stepping off the shore, so gently guide your pet a few feet into the water and then let them swim back to shore. Again, not all dogs love water, so if your pet continuously runs back to shore, you may have to find a different activity you both can enjoy.

Before getting on the boat, take your dog for a walk so it can do its business. If you’re headed out for a long excursion, dedicate a place onboard for your pet to use as a bathroom. Some owners lay down pads or artificial grass so their pets understand that the space is for them.

If your pet is excitable, Valtaro suggests using a leash onboard. His dog Finn loved riding on the flybridge of their old boat, and although he was well trained, Valtaro kept him on a leash anyway. The chance of Finn jumping over the front of the flybridge was too great a risk. Finn was also leashed when the crew prepared to dock. “We didn’t take a chance. We put him in the salon and shut the doors,” he says. Valtaro also contains Finn’s movements when he is swimming. He attaches a ski line to the dog’s lifejacket so Finn can’t swim far from the boat.

When a dog is swimming, it’s important to monitor its behavior. Some dogs tend to bite and splash water, which can become a dangerous, obsessive-compulsive behavior, as it sometimes encourages the dog to stay in the water for longer than it should, to the point of exhaustion. For a pup, one minute of swimming is equivalent to roughly four minutes of running on land. To discourage this behavior, the American Kennel Club suggests distracting the dog with a toy. In addition, many dogs swallow a lot of seawater when playing in shallow water, which can cause water intoxication. Watch out for crab pots too, as many dogs are drawn to their brightly colored buoys.

It can get hot out on the water, so make sure to pack plenty of fresh, cold drinking water for your dog.

The best way for the whole crew to enjoy boating time with the family pet is to keep a watchful eye over your furry friend, to make sure the dog is safe and comfortable. “So many people treat their pets like part of the family,” says Valtaro, “We’re no exception. We want them there with us.” 

This article was originally published in the June 2024 issue.