What’s better than being on a boat? Boating with your pet! You didn’t think that you’d have to leave your pet behind with a pet sitter, did you? No way! You can take Fido with you along with the rest of the family so that he can share in all of your family water adventures in real-time.
However, before we get to the fun stuff, there are a few safety measures that need to be taken such as learning from this site how to safely and legally operate a boat to keep both you and your furry friend safe and happy throughout the whole trip.
After all, accidents happen and one of the best ways to prevent them is to be prepared. The last thing you want is for your pet to fall into the water. You must have a game plan on what to do if you encounter inclement weather with your pet on board.
For this and many other tips on how to go boating with your pet, read on.
- Get Your Pet Used to the Boat
Give your dog a chance to get used to being on the boat, especially if this is his first-time boating.
Let him walk around and get acquainted with his new surroundings. He might need a little time to get used to the boat’s rocking motion as well.
Give your little one treats when they keep calm to show that they’re doing well and make sure that you give your dog a chance to relieve themselves right before they board the boat to avoid any oopsies on your boat floor.
- You and Your Pet Should Both Wear a Life Jacket
No matter how many times you’ve seen your dog paddle on the swimming pool at home, this is no excuse to not give him a life jacket. Like everyone else on the boat, he should wear a life jacket at all times.
You can even train your dog to get used to the life jacket by making him wear it prior to your trip. It’ll be like having Halloween every day!
- Make Sure Your Pet is Comfortable
Find a way to provide your dog with much-needed shade on the boat. Make sure that they have access to water at all times so they can rehydrate at their leisure.
Overheating can happen at any time when your dog spends hours on the boat and don’t forget that he’s wearing a permanent fur coat so it’s easy for him to get warmer faster and more intensely than you do.
Make sure your dog stays away from drinking salt water by providing him with ample clean drinking water.
Saltwater can only dehydrate him and it might be a good idea to dress your dog in booties to protect their feet as well if they happen to have sensitive paws.
Conclusion
What’s the key to enjoying a safe and fun boating trip with your pet? Preparation, preparation, preparation.
Nothing beats the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you’ve taken all the precautions required to ensure the safety of your pet and it really enables you both to let your hair down and enjoy this milestone in your friendship with Fido.