Boating with Your Best Friend (Your Dog of Course)

Most dog lovers think of their beloved Fido as a member of the family…and rightly so. However, in slathering on the endless praises and comments of perfection many dog owners don’t stop to think if there little fur ball can swim – they just assume he can.  Step one when boating with dogs: Make sure they can swim before hand. Help them into the shallow end of a pool or the entrance to a lake and watch them paddle supervised.

Once the swim test has been passed move to step two: buy your dog a life vest.  This may make you feel completely ridiculous but trust me it is absolutely necessary.  Dogs will often swim and retrieve to complete exhaustion. Fido or Sport or Bosco may not need the life vest for the first 30 minutes of water fun but when total exhaustion hits he may not be able to make it back to the boat — and you may not be watching.

Also remember that pets can not climb boat ladders like people can. So when Fido is begging to dry off his paws he has to look to you to help him. Keep an eye on your pet and make sure he is still enjoying his water excursion.

Follow these few tips about water safety and make sure your best friend enjoys the boating excursions as much as you do.