BOATING HOW TO
Below our tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your boating experience.
HOW TO Boat With Dogs
Taking your four-legged best friend out on the boat with you can make your boating experience even greater. We allow and encourage dogs to be on our rentals.
However, this is something that does has to be approached with some caution. Make sure your dog is comfortable and feels safe. Below are some helpful tips to make sure your furry friend and all of your boating crew all have a great day on the water and stay safe.
1) Purchase a dog life jacket.
You can find life jackets for dogs at most boating stores and pet shops. We purchased ours for our dogs at PetSmart. When buying a life jacket for your dog make sure it’s a good fit. It is a good idea to take your dog with you to the store to try it on before buying. Although most dogs can swim, large waves or fatigue can cause drowning in even the most avid of swimmers, so don’t risk it, get your dog a life jacket. Even if your dog doesn’t drown if they go overboard for any reason, excessive fatigue can cause numerous problems.
How to choose a life jacket for your furry friend:
- Fit: Make sure the life jacket fits securely. It’s best to check the fit in the store, before you buy.
- Lifting handles: To make retrieving your pet safer and easier.
- Comfort: Check to see where straps and buckles fall to make sure they won’t cause your pet any discomfort.
- Color: Choose a bright color such as yellow or orange to make it easier to spot your dog in the water.
2) Discourage your dog to drink water from the lake.
Freshwater lakes are often contaminated from factories and boats and contain harmful organisms so never allow your dog to drink water from a lake. Take fresh drinking water with you on your trip and give that to your dog. As the atmosphere out on the water can be hot and dry, your dog is at risk of getting dehydrated so make sure there is ample drinking water available for them at all times.
3) Consider finding and applying dog sunscreen.
Just as we need sunscreen to protect ourselves from harmful rays, so do some dogs. Short haired breeds of dogs can get easily sunburned and you should use a light SPF sunscreen such as SPF-15 on your dog. On unusually hot and sunny days a higher SPF factor may be warranted. Make sure you choose a neutrally scented sunscreen so it doesn’t irritate your dog.
Here is what we use on our dogs:
4) Plan for your dog to relieve themselves.
Take plenty of doggie waste bags and paper towels with you on your trip as well as an odor neutralizer to clean up after your dog. Plan some time to take your dog back to the dock every few hours so they can relieve themselves.
*NOTE: If dog waste is found on a rental after use a $250 fee will be charged to the card on file.