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Dog that hates being on the boat


Snoobydoo

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Hi there, thank you for letting me join your forum,I hope someone can please help. Our dog gets extremely anxious on the boat, he shakes and pants excessively and constantly moves about and won't settle. He calms down a lot when we aren't moving but he still can't wait to get off the boat. We sometimes have to literally drag him back on! We got our first boat last week and the excitement has been replaced with stress. He is very much loved and is a member of the family so his happines is very important to us. At the moment he has to be locked inside when we are moving because he would try to get off the boat, we are hoping he will feel more relaxed when we have some welding done to add extra bars and gates as he will be able to come in and out as he pleases. Unfortunately we can't find anyone to do this for a few weeks so any tips or advice would be gratefully received.

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Stick with it. Ours was the same. He still gets a little anxious but once he gets to the back with one of us (his spot) he calms down quicker every time.

we have two cats also. I was worried about them but they love it.

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Hi there, thank you for letting me join your forum,I hope someone can please help. Our dog gets extremely anxious on the boat, he shakes and pants excessively and constantly moves about and won't settle. He calms down a lot when we aren't moving but he still can't wait to get off the boat. We sometimes have to literally drag him back on! We got our first boat last week and the excitement has been replaced with stress. He is very much loved and is a member of the family so his happines is very important to us. At the moment he has to be locked inside when we are moving because he would try to get off the boat, we are hoping he will feel more relaxed when we have some welding done to add extra bars and gates as he will be able to come in and out as he pleases. Unfortunately we can't find anyone to do this for a few weeks so any tips or advice would be gratefully received.

 

 

Our first dog took to the boat like a duck to water, but our second was quite nervous on his first couple of trips but luckily soon got accustomed (he was a very young puppy though).

 

For most dogs that are anxious about things there is a a trigger for it and in the case of a boat its often the sound and feel of the engine running.

 

I would start with lots of time on the boat but going no where and not running the engine and lots of reassurance, building up with firing the engine up with the same and finally casting off.

 

If you can't solve it a word with your vet who may be able to recommend a dog behaviour specialist might be the only answer. It might be expensive but given the investment in the boat, definitely worth it.

 

ed - I should have added, locking the dog in the boat while underway is probably the worst thing you could do, although its understandable why you have done it it's only likely to make things a lot worse because not only is he frightened and anxious but also separated from the 'pack' in his anxious and frightened state.

Edited by MJG
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My tuppence worth...

 

Make you you are not giving the dog TOO much reassurance during the time it is stressed. There is a big difference between reassurance and praise in the dogs world, but humans often make the mistake that when wanting to reassure a dog the actual actions/body language the use is the same as they would for praise.

 

Hope that makes sense.

 

An example. The engine is running and the boat moving. The dog is cowering inside and shaking, in your mind he is stressed out and unhappy. You then go in, bring him to you and say "there there, good boy, it'll be ok". You give him lots of fuss and attention. That is all the things you would do when praising him.

 

So what you are doing is actually telling him he is being a good boy for being scared and reinforcing that he should carry on like that because he gets praise.

  • Greenie 2
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Thank you for your replies. I think you are right about the noise and the movement so will definitely spend time on the boat without the engine running. I hope he does take to it, I have been waiting to get a boat for years!

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My tuppence worth...

 

Make you you are not giving the dog TOO much reassurance during the time it is stressed. There is a big difference between reassurance and praise in the dogs world, but humans often make the mistake that when wanting to reassure a dog the actual actions/body language the use is the same as they would for praise.

 

Hope that makes sense.

 

An example. The engine is running and the boat moving. The dog is cowering inside and shaking, in your mind he is stressed out and unhappy. You then go in, bring him to you and say "there there, good boy, it'll be ok". You give him lots of fuss and attention. That is all the things you would do when praising him.

 

So what you are doing is actually telling him he is being a good boy for being scared and reinforcing that he should carry on like that because he gets praise.

 

Yes that is actually a good point. what I'm suggesting is distinct from reinforcing the anxious behaviour.

Edited by MJG
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That is a very good point, whilst my husband was steering the boat I was constantly telling him he was a good boy and trying to reassure him, then I kept getting stressed because he wasn't calming down which obviously he picked up on! I think I will to a certain degree try to ignore him and potter about the boat . Going to spend a few days not moving as suggested and see how we get on. Thank you so much for all your replies!

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Yes classic de-sensitisation...just getting him used

to the boat you could treat him or click him if clicker

trained for being calm. please bear in mind its not

a quick fix and can take quite a while as you need

to introduce different aspects ie engine running, passing through

a lock, mooring up ... etc all a bit strange for an

unsure dog... slowly,slowly will get you there!

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When we bought a new build new house we took our dog to the building site every night so he got used to being there and always took him on a new walk nearby. As it's on the edge of town there are numerous dog walks on the doorstep.

I always put on my most enthusiastic voice " new walkies!" so he only associated going there with something good for him. He settled straight away when we moved in.

All dogs are different but I'm sure making him comfortable and familiar with the surroundings and seeing it as a treat to go there helped.

You are right to potter about seeming unconcerned so he picks up a calm not an anxious vibe.

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Molly used to be the worst car traveller...panting, drooling, sick..so we started when she was very young by in car no nothing but reward when settled..then short journeys again reward when settled and also exciting endings..lovely walks building up positives..she ended up loving car and would seek it as refuge particularly if grand daughter visited towards the end of her life.

On the boat she loved the travelling along if she could sit beneath tiller where I was..during locks and tunnels she had to be shut inside..my choice for safety reasons..she hated that and would shake but I ignored it and post event when she calmly sat under tiller then praise.

She sadly has passed away so I don't know if eventually she would have accepted "in time" I suspect she would because she was that type of dog.

She loved time on boat when we were moored and never attempted escape not even when doors open.

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My tuppence worth...

 

Make you you are not giving the dog TOO much reassurance during the time it is stressed. There is a big difference between reassurance and praise in the dogs world, but humans often make the mistake that when wanting to reassure a dog the actual actions/body language the use is the same as they would for praise.

 

Hope that makes sense.

 

An example. The engine is running and the boat moving. The dog is cowering inside and shaking, in your mind he is stressed out and unhappy. You then go in, bring him to you and say "there there, good boy, it'll be ok". You give him lots of fuss and attention. That is all the things you would do when praising him.

 

So what you are doing is actually telling him he is being a good boy for being scared and reinforcing that he should carry on like that because he gets praise.

I remember Barbara Woodhouse on the TV with a dog that didnt like going on trains. she stood on the platform with the dog on a short lead and when the train stopped and the doors opened Barbara and dog went boldly onto the train, well she did, the dog sort of flew and didn't know what was happening with his feet not touching the ground. She turned to the camera and said "no problem"

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We tried to always make car journeys treats, visit to grandma for spoiling or nice new walk, occasional visits to vet always followed by the pet shop next door where he was allowed to chose his own chew (he always chose a pigs ear).

The only thing he didn't like was having to wear his seat belt. half way back from the seaside one day doing about 40mph I was astonished to see the dogs head appear in the wing mirror, pulled up asap and found he had not only worked out how to undo the seat belt but had also managed to stand on the window switch. Not sure that was deliberately done but he was a very bright dog.

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I am not sure what sort of dog you have but when I had trouble with our Labrador getting into the car I used to put a little mini dog biscuit in the back of the car so she associated the car with food. (food is a huge motivators for labs) How about giving your dog a little treat every time he gets on the boat so he associates getting on board with pleasure. (i.e.food)

Edited by NickF
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Our dog is/was the same, but as previously said stick with it, it gets better. We've had our boat for just over two years now and on a recent trip he even lay down on the stern locker and slept, that was a first! We have a semi trad and he has his preferred place!

He hates tunnels so I go down inside with him and he sits (still trembling!) on my lap, some locks he comes with me, some he stays on the boat, depends how busy it is, he doesn't like them but he's much better than he was. Good luck!

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Do you have a cruiser stern or a trad? Having a cruiser stern we've started all our dogs by having them travel on the stern with us but tied on with a short lead that won't let them fall off (except our latest who turned round and fell off backwards but all we had to do was haul him back using the lead). They've all grown to love the boat within 2 or 3 days.

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Our first rescue dog, Kim, was the only dog we have had that didn't love the boat from the off.

 

We were hiring then, so she only went once a year. However by giving her a treat every time she got on the boat, and reassuring actions when she was visibly upset, she soon got used to it.

 

By the time we got a share in our first shareboat, five years later she was fine with boats.

 

She never overcame her fear of fishermen though. I think she thought they were going to beat her with their long fishing rods!

 

Make spending time on the boat pleasurable for him, by getting him to associate it with treats, new walks etc.

 

Initially just being on the boat, then with it moored but with the engine running, then cruising and finally through locks and tunnels.

 

Eventually he will get used to it and enjoy it.

  • Greenie 1
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About 15 years ago we were in Austria over the New Year period and our friends introduced our Collie (he disliked fireworks mightily) and ourselves to something like this, and it worked quite well.

 

http://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/Original-Adaptil-Dog-Appeasing-Pheromones-Refill/productinfo/DAPREFILL/

 

You saw he was uncomfortable with all the noise outside, but he didn't go totally bonkers as per bonfire night /diwali. But he did love being on the boatunsure.png

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Our blond retriever hates the jetty at the marina and has a big problem getting off the boat when we come back.

 

She will belly crawl along the jetty rather than walk. Luckily we are not that far down the jetty arm otherwise it would take us all day!!

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I should have added, locking the dog in the boat while underway is probably the worst thing you could do, although its understandable why you have done it it's only likely to make things a lot worse because not only is he frightened and anxious but also separated from the 'pack' in his anxious and frightened state.

Our late lamented labrador Rosie didn't much like being inside the boat (camping accommodation under cloths) unless we were there too. She spent most of her boating time just lying on the back cabin top. There was a bowl of water there and she was often fed there too, just coming off the boat for exercise and to do her business, and at night. When she was young we used to tie her lead to the central mushroom vent so she couldn't leap off (but we had to keep the lead short enough so she couldn't fall off the side and hang herself). After a while we didn't need the lead, and the only time she was tempted to leap off was in locks when the cabin top came level with the lockside.

 

She liked the cabin top as she could always see the steerer, and often one or more of the children was up there too.

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My old rescue dog came to boating at 12.

And for the first 8 months not only did the boat not move but I didn't run the engine.

 

So his reaction when not only did it make a big thumping noise but the scenery trundled past was shock and awe!!

 

We allowed him a bolt hole where he felt safe, and basically didn't make an issue out of his reaction.

He soon learnt there was no danger, that his food and water were always on the floor in the same place.

 

Also he quickly realised the payoff was at the end of the day he had somewhere new to explore and in the evening a warm stove to gaze at.

Even now his first day back on board he reacts the same but within a few hours he calms down.

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We have a cruiser stern and our chocolate lab chills out under the tiller when cruising, she loves the boat and settled in really well when we moved aboard 12 months ago. Can,t say the same for the cat, she is terrified once we fire the engine up and start moving.

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I am not sure what sort of dog you have but when I had trouble with our Labrador getting into the car I used to put a little mini dog biscuit in the back of the car so she associated the car with food. (food is a huge motivators for labs) How about giving your dog a little treat every time he gets on the boat so he associates getting on board with pleasure. (i.e.food)

That is how I did all our dogs, started them of just getting the the back hatch and even having some their meals in there, then just sitting in there with me, slowly leaving them in there and then running the engine with them getting in and out followed by a drive. The other thing I did was to train them to stay there until told to get out.

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Thank you all for your responses. We have been to the boat a few times over the last few days and nothing has changed. He is as bad as he first was. We tried to ignore him and carry on as usual but allhe did was pant, shake and constantly move about the boat. We bought him a thundershirt which we read reviews about, it's supposed to help with thunder storms, bonfire night etc and supposed to help with noise , General anxiety and travelling but it made absolutely no difference at all. I am at my wits end with it all. I haven't enjoyed one day on board so far and have been looking forward to boating for so long! I don't know what to do for the best, I got ratty with him today which is the last thing I wanted, I just want him to be happy!

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Our old girl also hates being on the boat. She is fine when now (after 5 years) when we are on our home mooring and not moving, but hates being inside the boat on the move. We only have a very small trad stern so she has to come inside when locking and then I stay with her but try to avoid reinforcing her fears by being very calm when she is getting worked up but still being there for her. When she can go on the stern she will settle down and sleep quite happily and does not fuss, but we are very careful to keep away from the bank in bridge-holes etc, or she will jump off to land. I don't think we will ever cure her of this so we plan for short days with frequent breaks when she can get off for a walk. Our other dog, on the other hand, is just fine and tends to curl up to sleep as we travel. I wish you good luck with your dog.

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