Dogs on boats.

[bljones]

Speaking of dogs on boats...

Dock Six Chronicles: Dogs On The Dock

[Ulladh]

Never though I would be on this thread!

I have adopted/rescued an 18 year old Bichon Frise, about 16" long 10 or 12 lbs. Bad hips but acts like a puppy.

This will be a boat dog, or I don't go sailing.

His fur is a bit thin and skin very pink, what do the boat dog folks suggest for sun protection?

[CarolynShearlock]

Paz is most likely part Bichon and part poodle. Funny but yes, she gets "tan" in the summer -- I can see the tan lines from her harness when I wash her.

I'd suggest getting a doggy t-shirt that covers as much of her back as possible (you can get them pretty cheaply), but also letting her go without it an increasing amount of time each day so that she develops some "tan" of her own.

Paz just gradually tans up from her winter paleness, kind of like we do. And she stays in the shade during the heat of the day, which also helps against sunburn. Her pads also toughen up against hot sand and rocks.

She looks delicate, but she's pretty tough: even in summer in the tropics, she'll go for 4-mile walks on black pavement (hot, I know, but she has the option of walking on the grass and she chooses the pavement). Not bad for a 6-pound bit of fuzz with legs that are only 6 inches long!

You're going to have a GREAT time with your new best friend!

[Ulladh]

Thanks Carolyn
Good to know that with gradual exposure "Jingles" will develop a tan. He was rescued by the police from a house with a rather large arsenal, and had forgotten his house training, but not his name.
This little guy is very smart, 2 or 3 days and he remembered his previous training, so my quess is that his boat training will not be too difficult.
I tend to adopt problem dogs, behavior, illness or age, but this will be the first one on a boat.

[asivesind]

We live on a 48 foot sailboat with our pitbull. He does pretty good on the boat, but i cant imagine having a dog with long hair. He hates the engine though, makes him very nervous. So we don't go on long trips with him. We loan him out.

[tomperanteau]

From what I am reading, it really depends on your sailing and the breed.

We have a Husky/Lab mix. She is great on the boat, but does feel the need to bark at sea lions. It's more comical than anything. Labs and Huskys are both really intelligent and don't miss much. Verbal and visual queues are always being watched. We actually have to spell certain "trigger words" in front of our baby or she will know what we are talking about.

[idlerboat]

We have an acient Mariner on board at 38 footer. Has sailed all his life and is now 18. Leaves hair everywhere and it drives me nuts. He is completely boat trained and will go months without getting off the boat. Even when along side a dock with the gate open he will still walk up to the bow to do his business. i couldnt live without him and he is totaly co dependant. Next time I think I would rather a dog that didnt weigh 35 killos.

[tomperanteau]

Originally Posted by idlerboat

Leaves hair everywhere and it drives me nuts.

The big pain is that a lot of that hair ends up in our bilge. Then I have to either clean it up or worry about the pump!

[Ravenlair]

I vote for getting a cat instead....and I live aboard with two dogs, miniature schnauzer and standard schnauzer