Living aboard with a dog/bathroom needs

[sailingdog]

Also, some of the shellfish, particularly the cone snails, are venomous and very dangerous to dogs and humans alike.

[PorFin]

Originally Posted by Serendipitous

I am planning on getting or making her some kind of bootie as I'm worried how she'll handle some streets and rocky beaches, but would probably be nice for her to have on the boat too.

Just keep in mind that most commercial booties have leather bottoms -- which could become an issue on a heeled & varnished cabin sole. Likewise, until they become accustomed to them most dogs are a little tentative and timid when walking in booties. You should keep a close eye on her, even in calm conditions.

[Serendipitous]

I'm probably leaning more toward making her a set on my own. We tried to buy commercial ones a few years ago, and since greyhound's paws are smaller than most breeds her size but longer than smaller breeds we could not find any that fit her decently and had to return them. I haven't checked out all the materials yet, but what I have in mind is a body of cotton or nylon with some gel type padding on the bottom covered in an anti-skid material. Who knows what I'll be able to find or what will work, but I should probably start on some prototypes soon.

[CarolynShearlock]

If you haven't already done so, get her very used to getting in and out of the dinghy. We had a small dog (6 pounds), which was easy -- we just handed her down -- but had friends with bigger dogs that definitely had a harder time, particularly in a rolly anchorage.

That said, taking a dog is wonder IF they're enjoying it. Ours loved it!

[teejayevans]

FYI, there is a 30' boat here in the anchorage with 4 dogs, 2 couples and 1 small child.
Tom

[LakeSuperiorGeezer]

My dogs will pee on command when I take them for a walk. Training was easy, when they start squat, say Go Pee. Althoug I have not tried it, you could also hold a treat and and give the command and then give it to them afterwards. From there it seems the next step of going on a mat would be easy.

[eherlihy]

Originally Posted by teejayevans

FYI, there is a 30' boat here in the anchorage with 4 dogs, 2 couples and 1 small child.

And, don't forget this episode of dogs on a boat: cruising with bull dogs

[Serendipitous]

Originally Posted by CarolynShearlock

If you haven't already done so, get her very used to getting in and out of the dinghy. We had a small dog (6 pounds), which was easy -- we just handed her down -- but had friends with bigger dogs that definitely had a harder time, particularly in a rolly anchorage.

That said, taking a dog is wonder IF they're enjoying it. Ours loved it!

We're on a mooring on Muskegon Lake, so she's already used to being in the dinghy for any trips back and forth to the boat, including the trips we make just for her bathroom breaks. In fact, I think she enjoys the dinghy rides more than the boat rides b/c she's always doing the Leonardo DiCaprio "I'm the king of the world!" from the bow of the dinghy.

With her being the size she is (60 lbs) it can be a hassle sometimes to get her on and off the boat, but she always has her PDF on with a handle on the back that makes moving her around much easier. We hope she'll like traveling with us, but we've also decided that if we get out of the Erie Canal and she's not having a good time then we'll rent a car and take her to my mother-in-law's house. We would miss her terribly, but it would also mean that we could expand our destination. Possibly Australia or maybe even all the way around.

[Serendipitous]

Originally Posted by eherlihy

And, don't forget this episode of dogs on a boat: cruising with bull dogs

Oh, and thank you so much for this, it was awesome! I had tears in my eyes from laughing! Good thing my dog wouldn't make for a good meal, she's all skin and bones.

[eherlihy]

... at least you know who you're dealing with...