How to Go Boating With Your Dog

If you have a dog, you might already take it everywhere with you! From car rides to dog park play dates, being able to explore with your pup is a lot of fun. If you also enjoy boating, maybe you’ve thought about bringing your dog with you on the water, but you’re not quite sure how to go about it. Our team at Mark’s Leisure Time Marine has put together a brief guide to prepare you and your dog for an epic boat trip. 

1. Does Your Dog LIke Water?

Before you begin planning your adventure, it’s important to determine whether or not your pup would actually be a good fit for a boating trip. Some dogs are naturally water-loving while others aren’t as excited about the prospect! If you’ve never exposed your dog to water, you probably shouldn’t jump straight to bringing them on a boat. 

Take some time visiting different bodies of water with your pup and see how they react. Do they like to swim? Can they wear a life vest? During this step you should think about how your dog would react in an emergency situation as well. You should only bring your dog along if you are completely confident they would be comfortable in and around the water!

2. Pack the Right Supplies

If your dog is ready to hit the boat launch, there are a few different supplies to pack for your trip. The main goal is to keep your pup feeling calm, happy, and healthy for the duration of the ride. Make sure to have plenty of drinking water; the water you’ll be surrounded by may not always be potable. You should also bring enough food to accommodate your dog’s normal eating schedule, especially since they’ll be exerting more energy than normal. It might be necessary to bring along any medications your dog could need! Sea-sickness is possible in dogs, too. 

Other important supplies include proper identification, a life vest, toys, a leash, and waste bags. 

3. Create an Emergency Plan

You should already have an emergency plan in place for your typical voyages, but when you add a pet into the mix, your plan might change. Discuss the different scenarios and plans with everyone on board! It’s much easier to stay calm and collected when a plan has already been established. It can also be helpful to understand the features of your specific boat. Let’s say you have a MasterCraft® boat; take time to memorize the layout and features as you create your emergency plan. 

4. Don’t Ignore Your Dog’s Needs

No matter how often you boat, remember whenever you bring your dog their needs can change and you may have to adjust. Pay attention to their behaviors to ensure an enjoyable experience.

Boating with your dog can be a lot of fun, but it’s important to do it safely. Visit us in Conesus or Canandaigua, NY, to learn more. We proudly serve the Rochester community.