[Boating with Dogs]

10 hours ago, Beo said:

Although we have a cruiser stern we keep the dogs in the cabin when moving. OH made this gate so that they can always see us and get some fresh air. 

Brilliant idea! I considered that too for additional safety. Beautiful design!

9 hours ago, Mac of Cygnet said:

Rita used to regard the roof as her territory when she was younger, but became less keen after being swept onto the back deck by a branch!

Oof! That's the kind of mistake you only make once - bless her. Vigilant watchdog!

7 hours ago, Dav and Pen said:

These 2 really liked boating. They would sit in waiting for a trip out most days.

Adorable! Did they swim too, or just enjoy the view?

[Boating with Dogs]

2 hours ago, koukouvagia said:

Get a butty - perfect for keeping dogs safe

Adorable picture! Good in principle, but for a mountain dog, it's just an invitation! ?

[Boating with Dogs]

Just now, Mike Tee said:

could so easily have been prevented by me clipping her on a lead before getting off - like most serious incidents, they happen quickly and with 20/20 hindsight, so easily prevented

Very good point. As mine is a rescue she's rubbish at recall so almost always on the lead anyway. And I'm very much relying on your hindsight for my foresight!

[Boating with Dogs]

7 hours ago, Mike Tee said:

I've mentioned this before on a dog related thread but can't find it to refer it here - so - a freak event that could have ended badly - we were moored up against a solid bank - concrete - and the dog followed me off for a walk. I was getting off the back and the shape of the stern meant an ever increasing gap as it rounded off. She slipped on the steel cant (maybe nails a little long) and went in between boat and bank - and didn't come up.What had happened was she came up under the uxter plate and was then trapped under water. Don't know what made me think of it, but I reached under the uxter plate and luckily she was within reach. Heart stopping event which could have gone bad so very quickly.

That's exactly the sort of thing that scares the proverbials out of me. Heart stopping indeed. Maybe I'll just strap her to my back instead ?

[Boating with Dogs]

5 hours ago, cuthound said:

 

If you get a semi-trad with stern doors the area can easily and quickly enclosed simply by closing and locking the stern doors.

 

That was my thought - although personally I do prefer a bit more space at the back of the boat.

1 hour ago, PD1964 said:

Tibetan Terriers make great boat dogs, 

Wonderful picture! 

[Boating with Dogs]

24 minutes ago, cuthound said:

My rescue GSD is easily distracted by ducks and dogs on the towpath, so can't be trusted to stay on the counter.

That's my concern - generally speaking, everything else is more important and more interesting than me when we're out walking... but in the car she's fine, so I'm hoping that we strike a happy medium on a boat.

4 minutes ago, waterdog said:

Our two go on short leads within the semi trad area when in locks etc. 

Otherwise they tend to sit looking at the world going by or lie down for a sleep.

Wonderful! My second choice is semi-trad for this very reason - good to see that there's plenty of space for two happy labs in there!

[Boating with Dogs]

18 minutes ago, haggis said:

I have "Dog Robes" which I put on the dogs if they do come in wet and or muddy. They are basically towelling with long ties which cross over under the dogs tummy and tie off on the top of their back. Great for keeping the wet and mud off the furnishings

 

haggis

That's a great idea! Could do with one of those for me... 

 

She's been trained to stop on her towel when she's wet/muddy. Then I just scoop her up in the towel and put her in the shower. Works a treat.

[Boating with Dogs]

1 minute ago, Naughty Cal said:

She will have to come for a ride with Syd. 

 

Haha! Maybe he can teach her how to be a boat dog!

[Boating with Dogs]

2 minutes ago, Naughty Cal said:

Vault Beach at Cornwall.

It's gorgeous. I'm so looking forward to being able to explore places like this again! ?

[Boating with Dogs]

16 minutes ago, David Mack said:

 

I won't have a dog on a trad stern deck like that. The space is just too small and there is too much chance that you will trip over the dog at the wrong moment, or get your foot caught in the lead.

We generally keep Athena on the back cabin roof, tied to the mushroom vent on a short enough lead that she can't fall over the cabin side. Keep a blanket and bowl of water up there too.

 

At locks she likes to come off the boat, although it is a bit of a pain holding onto the dog with one hand while opening a paddle with the other.

 

I couldn't imagine having a dog on a trad stern. Appreciate that some people do, but mine loves to wrap her lead around my legs at the best of times! Not a fan of the trad stern for me anyway - will have a nice cruiser "patio" ?

 

Hadn't thought about mushroom vents... are they strong enough? TT's are able to pull a surprising amount of weight for their size - I wouldn't want her making new holes in the roof in excitement!

18 minutes ago, Dav and Pen said:

We have since had 3 Airedale terriers and fortunately none of them have been keen to swim but have been great on the boats and the barge gave lots of room to walk round the decks.

 

Barge temptation! ?

19 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said:

Dogs and boats don't mix, they are terrified of the noise, vibrations motion etc. Don't do it !!!

 

(The French Bulldog does get sea-sick when its rough)

? Do you want to try telling my dog that?! She's the kind that loves standing up in the car when we go round corners. Fluffy little thrill seeker!

 

She loved being on boats (engine running but not moving) and once she'd explored everything with her nose, was quite happy to find a spot near the fire to snore at us!

[Boating with Dogs]

22 minutes ago, Naughty Cal said:

Luckily our cockpit is weather proof and just wipe clean so it really doesn't matter how wet or dirty it gets we just hose it out.

I'll have to go through the boat weather-proofing it as soon as I get it anyway - not just for her getting wet/muddy, because I'm just as guilty for coming home like that! ?

1 hour ago, Matt&Jo said:

She looks so regal!!!

[Boating with Dogs]

8 minutes ago, haggis said:

Unlike others who have dogs on board, I never encourage my dogs to like swimming

Ditto. I've done quite a lot of boating in various forms, and didn't want her deciding to leap off a kayak in the middle of the fjords because something over there smelled marginally more interesting!

5 minutes ago, MaryP said:

They are therefore free to move about and choose whether to be with me on the back or in their bed.

Thanks! This sounds ideal - once the initial novelty of "new boat sniffs"has eased, she should be just as happy to curl up on her bed. I hope! How long did it take for yours to get used to it?

[Boating with Dogs]

3 minutes ago, Phil. said:

We cruise with a large labradoodle. When cruising he is outside on the trad stern, always wearing a harness, but never ever tied on. If the dog falls off, you don’t want it dangling over the side near the prop, or being pulled along behind the boat. When in locks or tunnels, the dog is always inside the boat. The first thing to establish though, is can your dog swim. If yes, a harness will do and you can haul them out, but if not then look at a buoyancy aid. 

Theoretically, yes,. But as a long-haired mountain dog (albeit clipped int he picture above) it makes swimming hard, and as a breed they're generally not swimmers by choice.

 

Thank you so much for the thoughts!

[Boating with Dogs]

9 minutes ago, Ray T said:

She wasn't too happy at first but with patience and encouragement we are getting there.

I take it the wine glass is hers then! ?

[Boating with Dogs]

5 minutes ago, Naughty Cal said:

No he is a proper mongrel. We have been asked that several times before though.

 

Poodle, schnauzer, bichon frise, pomeranian, chihauhau according to the DNA test we had done.

Weird, the resemblance is remarkable. Usually the tail is a dead giveaway...

3 minutes ago, Ray T said:

Good point about the locks. In the picture above we deemed the Oxford stop lock with its 6" drop not a significant risk.

We do shut our current dog (and the Jack when she was with us) inside in tunnels and the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.

Is this because it's a trad stern or would you do the same with a (secured) cruiser stern?

 

I think I'd be worrying about her too much to leave her anywhere near the outside of the boat in locks etc anyway! Plus I think she'll be happy enough (meaning, not panicked and destructive) with a comfy seat by the nice big windows that she can smoosh her nose onto! ?

[Boating with Dogs]

1 minute ago, Matt&Jo said:

Its is lovely having a dog loose on the roof running about or laying with you but a tale for you that happened to our frenchie.

 

Nala jumped in randomly....doesn't really like water all that much but if your in she will come in....but the lure of a log floating was too much and she just whilst under way dived in....off the back of the stern too.

So i quickly drop the boat into neutral as to avoid the prop cutting her to shreds but we travelled a considerable distance away.

Now she had a grab vest type thing with a handle but frenchies are not the best swimmers anyhow. 

Here was the problem however she swam to the edge not the boat and whilst you would think not an issue it was the coventry canal with miles of armco she could not scale and started to panic and sink. I almost jumped in to swim over but thankfully a passer by ran over and dragged her out. My heart was pounding as she would of drowned even with a vest (heavy heads can cause them to sink head first)  

From that point she was either in the engine room of the trad or on the roof in arms reach blocking her from going further forward. 

She is now more trustworthy on board and is cautious from her experience. Just a thought to consider with canal sides etc 

Thank God for that person they could see we were very shaken. Lesson learnt. Always lock her away in a lock!!!!!

Oh my gosh! My heart was in my mouth just reading that!!! ?

 

In a situation like that, would you be able to hook a harness handle with a boat hook and get her out that way?

 

Mine is a rescue, who came to me with no real training, so we spent a solid year working on the basics for safety. Stop, sit, lay down, leave it, road (means stop immediately) and HALT! for anything else, etc. She learnt very quickly, and knows when I'm telling her to stop seriously (tone of voice etc.). Very clever dog... I'm hoping this helps, not hinders, her getting used to life afloat... because it's most likely that we'll go to get the boat and then be living aboard straight away. No short gentle intros!!!

[Boating with Dogs]

6 minutes ago, Ray T said:

Not cheap but what is your dogs life worth?

Absolutely. ? She already has a harness with handle for hiking and hills, and I would get a life-jacket version with handle for safe boating.

 

7 minutes ago, Ray T said:

I would also suggest canine swimming lessons so if the dog does fall in it is not panicked by falling in the water.

Also if the dog does fall in and you are on the move put the gear into neutral immediately and do not maneuver the boat to reach the dog.

 On the two occasions she did fall in she swam to the back of the boat.

She's not great with water, which is my main concern. She doesn't panic, but she freezes and looks at me like "mum... help!" so swimming lessons are a great idea, thanks!

 

Also, very very aware of "into neutral and don't move". Many years ago, had a dog (not mine) fall off a sailboat at sea. Thankfully wearing a lifejacket then, but as the lad at the helm went to turn the boat, the Skipper yelled at him - everything off. Boat and dog were happily reunited shortly after. 

 

Thanks for the thoughts!

5 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:

Pleeeeeeeeeeeese ensure that if you tie the dog to a boat via lead attached to its collar the length is short enough so the dog cannot get anywhere near any side. If the dog slips over and is hung by the neck ( It happens ) We have all seen hundreds over the years attached to longish lines so they can run about on the roof or indeed on deck and its curtains for the dog if you allow it to hang itself. Our dogs aover the years have never been attached to the boat. Whilst on rivers they are inside the boat and on canals loose with the wife with a Julius K9 so they can be lifted out if one ever went in. 31 years and never lost one yet into the water but ya never know.

???

 

Leads, seatbelts, everything like that is attached to her harness not her collar for that very reason. She's very very good when travelling in the car and just sits still or goes to sleep, so I'm hoping that this will transfer neatly to boating. ? Really not convinced about letting a dog run about on the roof... inside safely or outside on the cruiser stern is fine, and she'll learn quickly how to behave.

 

Thank you!

[Boating with Dogs]

15 minutes ago, Naughty Cal said:

Sydney our dog loves it on the boat.

? is Sydney a TT?!

[Boating with Dogs]

5 minutes ago, Keeping Up said:

We have a cruiser stern, all of our dogs have loved it. You may enjoy reading about our latest dog Jessop's first trip.

Thanks, what a lovely account! And Jessop certainly looks all the better for being a boat dog!

[Boating with Dogs]

Hi all,

 

I'm in the process of getting my first boat, and am looking for general advice and tips of how to make it "dog safe" (mostly externally) for a perpetually inquisitive Tibetan Terrier.

 

She's been on boats before, but not while they're moving. My first thought was to get a cruiser stern so she can be up there with me without the risk of either of us falling off (!) and "fence it in", in the same sort of principle as one would fence in a garden. I'll also be getting her a doggy life jacket.

 

However, there are, inevitably, things that I haven't thought about, so I'm hoping that some of the boaters with dogs on here can help?

 

Thanks in advance,

Kit

[Seeking advice on liveaboard moorings in Cambridgeshire]

Thank you so much for the responses, everyone!

8 hours ago, nbfiresprite said:

Foxes Marina in March. The marina is in lockdown so the office is only open between 9 and 10am but is not accessible in person and you should call 01354 652770 to speak with a member of staff.  March is only 30 minuites from Cambridge by train

Thank you so much - I've contacted them. 

 

1 hour ago, pearley said:

Forget Cambridge. Large waiting list, or was. There is a small community at Stretham Old Engine.

Also Hartford Marina at Huntington.

Hence the triangle - it was the same in Oxford. You'd get a mooring about the same time you hit retirement and didn't need it! ? Thanks for the tip about Stretham! Already contacted Hartford.

 

58 minutes ago, Alastair said:

You need to search for marinas and contact them.

There are a few who allow liveaboards but might not have space. Upware marina, Shrubbs come to mind.

That's exactly what I've been doing ? I know space is usually tight anywhere on the waterways for liveaboards. Thanks for the tip about Upware - I'll have a look!

 

46 minutes ago, Scholar Gypsy said:

I found it helpful (a few years ago) to explore using Google Earth (or Google maps satellite), to spot possibilities.  Not all are well advertised on the internet, so some shoe leather may be necessary to track down contact details. Many moorings are run by a local farmer, so you need to know who they are! Some very isolated moorings too eg  a mile north of Upware. 

Haha. That's why I've been doing - borrowing peoples internet to squint at Google Maps. I'm not new to boating, but there are some tricks you pick up from being a boater that you just can't fast-track. ?

 

49 minutes ago, Scholar Gypsy said:

Also, some of the other marinas are OK for under the radar moorings. Drop me a DM if you would like to know more.

I read somewhere that I can't DM before a certain time or number of messages, so I will, but bear with

 

[Seeking advice on liveaboard moorings in Cambridgeshire]

Hi all,

 

I've started down the very exciting towpath of looking for a liveaboard, and have been advised to find a mooring first. My search triangle is Ely -> Cambridge -> Huntingdon. Ish. Google is our friend, but I can't seem to find many liveaboard marina moorings.

 

The marinas that I've found that are maybes are Riverside and Fish & Duck. Does anyone have any experience with these, clarification of where offers liveaboard moorings, or anything else that might be helpful?

 

Thanks in advance!

Kit