The boating dog's days of summer: Tips on boating with dogs
From BoatUS
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[August 03, 2013]
ALEXANDRIA,
Va. -- Some dogs were born for the water, others less so. The
key to
boating with dogs, says Boat Owners Association of The United
States, known as BoatUS, is taking it slow and making safety the top
priority. Here are eight tips to get you started:
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How can you resist? However, before you bring the dog on the
boat, BoatUS has some smart tips. (Credit: Jan Burgess) |
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Before you go:
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Get a good-fitting
life jacket and have the dog wear it a few times around the home
before getting on a boat. Any pet life jacket should have a
handle to easily lift the animal out of the water. Here's a
buying guide with selections for dogs of all sizes:
www.BoatUS.com/doglifejacket.
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Have a special ID
tag with the name of the boat, marina, slip number and cellphone
number on it, just in case. If dogs get lost, it's a lot easier
for the person who finds them to get them back to you quickly.
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If there is any chance you'll be going
to Canada or Mexico, make sure you have current rabies vaccine
and other shot documentation with you, as dog tags are not
acceptable proof of immunizations. It is also a good idea to
check with customs because the rules and requirements often
change.
Getting started:
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Familiarize dogs
with the boat slowly -- don't just get on the boat and leave the
dock right away. Ideally, bring dogs to the boat for the first
time without leaving the dock, and give them a chance to sniff
around and get their sea legs. It may help to start the engine
so they are used the sound.
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Plan for falls overboard, either from
the boat or dock. If the dog falls overboard underway -- or
jumps in -- you may be able to circle back and retrieve Fido
just like a fallen water skier, pulling up slowly, cutting the
engine and luring the dog to the swim platform with a treat. If
you don't have a swim platform, smaller dogs may be lifted over
the side by their life jacket handle, but bigger dogs may
require a different solution. If a dog falls off a dock, know
that seawall bulkheads may prevent the animal from a
self-rescue.
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Bring plenty of
water and make sure there's a place a dog can get out of the sun
and stay as cool as possible. Know the symptoms of
dog
heatstroke. While seasick dogs may vomit, that's also one
sign of heatstroke. Rapid, loud or difficult breathing, extreme
thirst, thick saliva, disorientation, and a bright red tongue
and pale gums are a few of the others.
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If you're going to
be out on the boat for more than a few hours, plan on how your
dog will relieve themselves, and pick up after your dog, no
matter where they go. If you see that someone else didn't pick
up after their dog, pick it up for them. You don't want to give
any opportunity to show why dogs shouldn't be allowed in your
marina, and your boating friends will love you for it.
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Does your boat's
insurance policy cover pets? All BoatUS policies do. For more
information, go to
BoatUS.com/insurance/pets.
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Boat Owners Association of The
United States is the nation's leading advocate for recreational
boaters, providing its over half-million members with government
representation, services such as 24-hour on-the-water boat towing as
well as roadside assistance for boat trailers and tow vehicles,
feature-packed boat insurance programs, money-saving benefits that
include marina and West Marine shopping discounts, and vital
information that improves the boating, fishing and sailing
lifestyle. Its member-funded BoatUS Foundation is a national leader
in promoting safe, clean and responsible boating.
[Text from file received from
BoatUS] |