Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Safety Tips for Dogs in Boats

   It is Spring Break here on the Bayou and the BFTB News Team has taken to the water. Being the responsible pet parent, I felt the need to highlight some important safety rules. They felt the need to add their two cents.
BFTB NETWOOF News dog team in boat with Westie skiing

* Always wear a canine approved life jacket.
Bentley: “Don’t assume your dog can instinctively swim. Some of us are not built to be natural water dogs. My big manly Basset chest could cause me to sink.
* Discourage your dog from drinking the water.
Pierre: “Ewwww! Can you imagine how many fish, ducks and alligators have used the bathroom in a lake? Don’t even get me started on the algae and oils floating on top. Bring plenty of fresh water for your dogs to drink.”
* Don’t forget the dog-approved sunscreen.
Paisley: “As the Weather Lab, I have to warn you about sunburn. Short-haired dogs and those that get shaved need to wear sunscreen. Chihuahuas and Pierre come to mind.”
* Bring poop bags and puppy pads
Bentley: “When we gotta go, we gotta go so be prepared with paper towels and poop bags. If your dog will use puppy pads, they are very useful. Never throw your dog’s waste overboard. That's just gross and it's not safe for the water.”
* Do not tie your dog to the boat.
Pierre: “They have to be able to escape in an accident. Always know where your dog is when you’re boating. I recommend a reliable spotter when you are riding the wake on your slalom ski.”
Please tweet


34 comments :

  1. Great tips!! Maddie used to live on a lake and the ocean. She even surfboarded with her daddy!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Good tips. Pug is a surprisingly good swimmer despite his breed, he just HATES it. I think he might not mind being a boat passenger though, as long as we stay out of the water.

    ReplyDelete
  3. YAY! gotta bring some poop bags! We plan to take a boat rode with Sugar soon :-) Golden Woofs

    ReplyDelete
  4. That's great advice....I would luffs to go fur a boat ride, it really sounds like great funs
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've only been on a boat once, but I would love to go again. Maybe one day. Good job keeping dogs safe with good info, Bentley!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I never was a boat-dog and it seems we will not get a boat ... my dad said we have no truck to pull it :o) but I have a life jacket, my mom bought it once to be prepared for efurrything :o)

    ReplyDelete
  7. We don't go on boats much. The Ohio River is kind of ruff waters. Got to check out Mondays News.
    Sweet William The Scot

    ReplyDelete
  8. Way BACK when I was a Young'un... BEFORE ERNIE THE ENORMOUS... WE had a Pontoon Boat... and I LOVED going to the LAKE to be on the water.. I did have a Bright ORANGE Life Vest... and mom put MY NAME on it... and MY PHONE Number and MY Address and THEIR Names also... with the word REWARD. She is very pawtective that way...
    And she Always took Water from home for ME... BUTT I gotta confess... I drank Lake water every chance I got.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Great tips and don't forget that dogs should not chase duck or swans which are both better swimmers than dogs.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Great tips! You've reminded me about one I need to research and check with their vet. When we occasionally traveled to the beach - there was no need for sunscreen because of their long hair, but now that we're going to visit several times a week once the weather gets warmer, should I be looking more into using it? #Iwonder Thanks for writing this.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lulu is so scared of the water but she did enjoy the one boating trip we went on. I want to go again!

    Great tips, guys!
    Christie from Lifewithbeagle.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'm not sure ours would ever agree to boating as they view open water as the Wicked Witch in Oz does. However, great tips for those who do.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Excellent water safety tips! Do people really tie their dogs to the boat? That sounds exceptionally dangerous.
    Love & Biscuits,
    Dogs Luv Us and We Luv Them

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great tips! Thanks for posting! :)

    Slobbery kisses,
    Paws (Jenny) and Storm
    www.paws2smile.wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Great tips! Those life jackets are so important. You never know what will happen out on the water. I can't wait until it is warm enough up here for playing in the water! :)
    -Purrs from your friends at www.PlayfulKitty.net

    ReplyDelete
  16. Very important post my friends. We are all about safety
    Snorts,
    Lily & Edward

    ReplyDelete
  17. These are all great tips. I've been wanting to get a life jacket for Haley even though we don't go boating that often. I think she would enjoy swimming a little more if she had a jacket. Sharing your tips!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great tips and the extra explanations made it very clear!

    Keep Calm & Bark On!

    Murphy & Stanley

    ReplyDelete
  19. Great advice! We just enjoy boating a lot, and our beagle Kobi did fall out of the boat, without a life jacket on. Luckily he could swim but he was still not impressed!
    Jan, Wag 'n Woof Pets

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That should say we "used to" enjoy boating, not "just". We haven't had our boat for quite a few years now!

      Delete
  20. WE have never been on a boat but we will remember these great tips just in case!
    hugs
    Mr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel

    ReplyDelete
  21. We love your picture. Boy Pierre sure is quite the skier. That is all great advice.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Good tips! We've never been out on a boat. Don't think we'd like it much.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I am sitting here chucking, wondering how Liam and Sinead would do in a boat. They don't even like to ride in a CAR, much less a boat. And I'm not sure either of them can swim! They certainly wouldn't have the panache of your little crew!

    Jean from Welcome to the Menagerie

    ReplyDelete
  24. Great tips! I have always wondered about sunscreen for dogs. I will have to look into this for Ruby.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Awesome advice, pals. We're not sure we'd like being on a boat!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Mowzers, we're landlubbers for sure! But very good advice for the pups out there who like to boat!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Outstanding advice. Alas, if only I could get Sam anywhere near water.-that 'water dog' despises H2O of ANY kind. Sigh.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Super dogtastic advice!
    I love to play in the water. Sometimes I wear a doggie life jacket but because I'm not a strong swimmer (possibly due to the meds I was taking & this year could be different)I float away in a strong current.
    I don't like the car; it only seems natural I wouldn't like boating but since I haven't tried yet, it's hard to say.
    Drinking Lake water is nasty but as a dog, I love it! My huMom tries to make sure I'm hydrated before going out but I keep her on her toes; I mean it's Lake water!
    CEO Olivia

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi Y'all!

    My Human makes me wear a life vest in the boat. If something happens and you are thrown out, fall out or get excited and jump out, you can be injured and be unable to swim...yes, even strong, fit swimmers like Chessies and Labs need to wear a life vest.

    Y'all come on by,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

    ReplyDelete
  30. Great tips guys, once with our first chessie we went boating and she was on the front and jumped off while we were going and came up behind the boat, she was fine but man it was scary and after that they all got held on to.

    ReplyDelete

I'd love to hear from you! Bark back!