Pets, especially dogs

[Donald Tyson]

Farm kid here! I Often have a dog with me everywhere. He is a California Breed known as a McNab Cattledog. 60lbs. Like a Border Collie but calm and more human-like. I think he speaks English but won't let on. I call him Mr. Compliant as he tries to do whatever you ask. Dr Bob may have seen these at Hurst Ranch or in Semi Vally all the way back, back in the 1900's. Great animal. Though I don't feel C-dory's are the perfect arena for these pets I know he will be onboard sometimes. Any thoughts on a daily routine or on good habits to teach? How long did it take to train your pooch?
Don

[Karl Konecny]

I have a 75 lb black lab, Tango, that enjoys trips on all my boats from canoes, drift boat, jet boat and C-Dory. I start training my puppies very young to have good canoe manners -- they always have to sit or lie down, and they ONLY jump in or out when given permission. It has never taken long at all to train them.
Tango enjoys going off shore salmon fishing, he particularly likes watching whales. He seems to know beforehand exactly where they will come up to blow.

[Donald Tyson]

Famous writer and outdoorsman James Mitchner liked Labs over Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. He wrote one time that the Lab won't bolt when duck hunting until told whereas the Chessy was hard to hold back and on one trip a friends boat turned turtle when his cheese's bolted from their small boat without the passengers expecting it.
How or where do you potty them on board?

[forrest]

If you are a salmon fisherman beware of taking your dog fishing (or petting them before going fishing). Salmon only have three natural predators in the water while returning to spawn. Bears, humans and wolves (dogs). The dog smell on lures can repel salmon as salmon can smell one part per million. By the way I love dogs! Have one sleeping next to me while I type this. I always wash my hands thoroughly before I go salmon fishing. One final tip, always wash your hands after going pee while fishing. It will increase the number of your bites.

[Donald Tyson]

Yes, Wash hands and put the seat down, lol. Thanks mom.
I would never have associated that with success in salmon fishing and I'm jealous to some degree. All said I fish for Panfish and Pickerel with Bass and Channel Cats being the by-products to my efforts.
Where or how do your dogs go?

[thataway]

We have taken labs across the Atlantic Ocean, and two labs in Alaska for 4 trips and then sailing to Pensacola. They did not go ashore for 4 months--a red tick infestation and weil's disease risk. They swam daily. The boat was big enough they could do laps. Great boat dogs.

Our Border Collie didn't swim, fell. in from a cliff at Powell and I had to dive in and use some of my old WSI/lifeguard training to rescue the poor guy. We also took a papillion to AK on the first 25. The last 15 years: Mini Poodles. great boat dogs. The were breed as retrievers and water dogs. NO or min. Shedding, which can be an issue with dogs aboard--hair plugging bilge pumps--need a screen and quick access to that screen.

We carried astro turf with grommets in two corners and line thru the grommets--just throw the piece of turf over and drag it (slow speed) then back to the deck and water to rinse off any resedual. Do not expect the dog to soil the cockpit the dog see the cockpit as living space. We use crate, or dog bed--some he slept on the bed. Wet dogs can be an issue.

We aways made lots of noise looking for bear when taking the dos ashore. Depending on where they were, we sometimes used a long lead on the dog. We saw a wolf one night--he just stayed standing by the water's edge, and we drifted within 20 feet. Eventually the wolf turned and trotted off. Never any growling on our lab's or the Wolf's part. A couple of times the labs jumped off the dinghy--especially when going ashore thru some Kelp. One off the swim step--had watched us come by in the RIB and wanted in on the action. We were going to pick up some of our Shrimp traps, the dog wanted to come along. We figured out early how to get them aboard the dinghy. Then they would climb the boarding ladder. We also had a small swim (2' x 2') & a stair case going to the flush aft deck--some level as the center cockpit in the center. We had net on the life lines so if the boat heeled suddenly the dogs would not slip overboard.

[Donald Tyson]

Thanks for all your experiences everyone. Leaving my dog home always would be tough. Easy going and calm I believe he will adjust quickly. The McNab Breed is well known for being problem solvers. Next dog will hopefully be smaller yet and less shedding.

[C-Wolfe]

Most dog are great on boat, I’m sure you’ll have not problems with yours. I never did long distance cursing like mention above, so was a lot simpler for me, I just take them to shore a few times a day. Like Bob said, they see the boat as living space and I never had to train them to not go in the boat. They also love running on the beach.


Rain or shine

[Donald Tyson]

Stephan, That area under the table looks perfect for one Dog.

[C-Wolfe]

[ssobol]

My dog does not like to go anywhere he can't walk to. He starts shaking even just going to the car if he realizes he's going in it. Tried sleeping with him on the boat parked in the driveway once, he was not a fan. We used to take him on our rib when he was younger, he tolerated that more than enjoyed it.

[BigSwede]

I'll be in the same boat, so to speak, this year for the first time. I'm not too worried about my dog, a 42 lb rescue dog, she is very adaptable, and has been on a boat a few times, but not overnight.

But it is a small space for a dog, and scheduling the necessary shore visits is a concern. A dinghy may be in order, but that is another can of worms.

[thataway]

Be sure to have a solid floor for the dinghy. An air floor, with ozite indoor/outdoor carpet over it is a good compromise. Dog can get traction, and not damage the floor. The ones with 3-4 inch wide battens don't work all that well--I have had some break. You can wrap them in fiberglass or put a piece of plywood cut to match the inside of the boat--even 1/4" works well.

Get the dog to put feet on the gunnels, and then boost the rear over--saves trying to pick the down up.

[Donald Tyson]

Sobol and Big Swede, My dog worships me. I sure don't deserve it but he does. Whatever I'm doing, whatever I'm in or on he's for that. He lays flat as can be hoping no one will make him leave. He hates water and is actually a failed Dock Diving Dog from a kennel that taught that. He swims fine but hates it. I won't have to worry about him jumping in at all.

Dr Bob, yes indeed.

[thataway]

Verified dogs can hear the high pitched sounds of Dolphins and whales long before we are aware of their presence. We have had labs go up on the foredeck, to watch the dolphins--and a few show up i a short time.