How to (Safely) Take Your Dog Boating

For many of us, our dogs are our family— and are excellent companions on water as they are on dry land. Taking your dog boating is a great opportunity for quality time and canine enrichment, not to mention tons of fun!

If you want to take your dog in a boat, there are some important considerations to make.

Training Basics: How to Get Your Dog Used to Your Boat

Some dogs will be skittish around boats, and going out on the water right off the bat may be overstimulating. The very best way to start is on dry land, with a lot of treats. If your boat is docked, that’s fine too

Award your dog with small training treats for any small sign of progress. From simply approaching the boat to sniffing, touching, or any other sign of interest, reward them to reinforce a positive association.

Next, you’ll want to encourage your dog to step onto the boat with treats and encouragement. If you step onto the boat first, they’ll be more likely to follow. You may need a dog boat ramp for this.

Once your dog is comfortable on board, you’ll have to work on getting them used to the sound of the motor. Then, you should be able to take short trips on your boat with your new boating buddy while watching out for motion sickness.

To keep you both safe, it’s also worth teaching your dog to swim prior to boating. You may be able to find dog swimming lessons locally, or you could simply take your canine companion to a shallow, safe body of water to get them used to swimming.

Essential Dog Boating Commands

When you bring your dog boating, it’s important that you can trust them to follow your lead. Training them to follow your directions will keep them safe and help things go much more smoothly. Here are three commands you’ll want to practice:

1. “Go to Place.”

When the boat is in motion, you’ll need to be able to count on your dog to stay in a safe place. It’s helpful to place an outdoor dog bed where you’d like them to stay, and train them to associate the phrase with staying put on the mat. Also, using a leash is recommended, especially if your pup is still learning.

You can, of course, use any phrase you’d like for this. The key is to be consistent. It’s also recommended that you keep verbal commands short, 2-3 syllables, so your dog can easily understand what you want from them.

2. Come When Called

You’ll want to make sure your dog is trained to come to you whether they’re on land or swimming. If your dog struggles with this, start with training them on land– it’s easier and less risky to master the command this way. Once they’re consistently responding appropriately on land, you’re ready to practice in the water with a properly fitted dog life vest!

3. Get On/Off the Boat

Again, you can use any short phrase for this. Alternatively, some boaters have trained their dogs to go up or down the ramp with a clicker and a treat. Whatever you choose, consistency and patience will get you far!

Preventative Vet has a detailed guide for how to train your dog for boating.

What Dog Boating Gear Should I Have Onboard?

There are tons of dog boat accessories on the market. Here are 9 that we consider essential:

1. Dog Life Jacket

We’ve already mentioned this one, but we can’t stress it enough— a properly fitted life jacket can save your companion’s life and give you peace of mind.

The exact style of life jacket or life vest you’ll need is dependent on several factors: your dog’s breed, water experience, body type, fitness, and where you plan to take them boating.

Although there’s a lot to consider, finding the right fit and style is simple— just follow our guide to learning everything you need to know about dog life jackets for an informed decision.

2. OLAS (Overboard Location Alert System)

It may be a good idea to attach a tracking device to your dog’s collar or life jacket. Some marine trackers, such as the ACR OLAS Tag, will send you a mobile alert within seconds if your dog goes overboard. It will also record the exact coordinates.

3. No-Spill Dog Dish

You may remember the spike in blue-green algae that rightfully scared dog owners a few years ago— and this is far from the only hazard that comes from drinking from natural water sources. That’s why, even if you’re boating on freshwater, it’s essential to pack a dog bowl and plenty of fresh drinking water for your boating buddy.

We recommend the Valterra pet dish. With a removable top for easy cleaning that doubles as a splash guard, this no-spill dog bowl is ideal for moving vehicles and can prevent hazardous spills. This is an easy item to forget, so we recommend storing it on board.

While we’re on the topic of hydration, make sure you’re able to recognize signs of heatstroke in your dog. Common early signs of heatstroke in dogs include excessive panting, red gums, drooling, and vomiting. If you notice this, it’s time for a freshwater break and some shade!

Some boaters will bring a small spray bottle to mist their dogs in the heat. This is a great idea for dogs who won’t be cooling off in the water.

4. Ladder

Whether you plan on it or not, at some point your dog will end up in the water. The Paws Aboard Doggy Boat Ladder is a highly popular and recommended choice, but there are a number of boat steps for dogs that will work. Some important features to look for are ease of use and visibility.

5. Boat Ramp

A boat ramp is essential for many medium-sized or larger dogs. Attempting to haul a large dog onboard is a hassle nobody wants to deal with. Perhaps the most important quality to look for: a non-slip grip. A rubber or high-traction surface is a must.

And, if your dog is just getting used to the idea of boating, the ramp will give them more confidence in climbing aboard. Win-win.

6. Pet Potty

You may want to go with a portable dog potty, or you may prefer to simply bring a pad of Astroturf aboard. In either case, we’d recommend you bring dog bags, paper towels, and a disinfectant spray. You can probably expect your dog to have some hesitation and accidents at first; it’s not uncommon for dogs to have some hesitation about doing their business on board.

7. Dog Bed

The most popular choices for boaters are dog cots or outdoor pet beds. Either will work, as long as they’re water-resistant and comfortable. In addition to giving your pup a place to rest up, having a designated dog bed on board makes it easy to teach the “go to place” command.

8. Sunscreen

This one surprises people, but it’s absolutely true: Dogs can get sunburnt on their noses, and areas where their fur is thinner, such as their ears and bellies. Look for a sunscreen that is specially formulated for dogs, as human sunscreens often have ingredients that are toxic to dogs. A good dog sunscreen will have soothing ingredients, such as aloe vera or shea butter.

9. Heavy-Duty Leash

Last but not least, it’s a good idea to keep a heavy-duty leash onboard, even for the most well-behaved canine boater— some beaches and public boating areas require it. Nautical ropes are usually thick, heavy-duty, and water-resistant. Some are available in bright, high-visibility colors as an added bonus.