Dogs & Boats

[EsmeraldaX]

Hi,

We're taking Monty dog on a schooner today. It will be for about 2 hours.

We are thinking of having him wear his life vest....but do you think it will be too hot? It is hot out here today?

Just wondering ... do you think he'll be okay in the life vest? He is a terrible swimmer, and though I doubt anything will happen, I feel better with him having his life vest on.

But I don't want him to overheat...

What do you all think?

 

[Annette_VA]

Better safe than sorry!

 

[MelCald]

We are actually going camping/boating with our 16 week old Pug in a few weeks. We plan to buy him a life vest..even though I am sure he will grow out of it quickly. It is better to be safe, than sorry. When we go out on the lake for the day, we just make sure he is in a shaded area and has plenty of water to drink. Pretty much the same stuff we did when our kids were babies.

Melissa

 

[Dax]

If he is not a good swimmer, then put a vest on him. I am sure he will thank you, and it will put your mind at ease. I am sure the heat shouldnt be that bad, but give him extra water just in case. Have fun

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Thanks. I think we will have him wear the lifevest. I will feel better that way.

He'll be kept well hydrated, so I think he'll be okay.

Thank you!

 

[Aprille]

Our dog always wears her life vest when in the boat. (Well, she does if I'm in the boat. Not sure if DH makes her wear it when I'm not there.) She is a good swimmer but I feel better if she has the vest on.

Here's a picture of her with ears flapping in the wind:

 

[EsmeraldaX]

That is a great picture!!

 

[Aprille]

Originally posted by EsmeraldaX
That is a great picture!!

Thanks! That was over 3 years ago when she was "only" 11 years old. She doesn't get to go boating much anymore. Too old and arthritic. She loved it when she was younger though.

Is this Monty's first boating experience? I'm sure he'll love it. Y'all enjoy!

 

[debster812]

To put it in perspective:

If it was your child, who was not a strong swimmer, and it was hot, what would you do? Yep, the kiddo would be wearing his life jacket/vest. No different here, if Monty is not a strong swimmer, and you are heading out, I would put it on him.

DS is 7, and has been boating with us on my parents boat since he was an infant. He puts his life jacket on in the parking lot of the marina, before we even get to the clubhouse. He just knows that that's the deal.

Aprille--I agree, that is a FANTASTIC picture!!!

 

[phamton]

Dogs don't sweat: They reduce their body heat through panting so I doubt that wearing a life jacket will make your dog much hotter. Although dogs don't have sweat glands, they do secrete moisture through the pads of their feet.

I remember years ago how people would shave their dogs in the summer hoping to make them more comfortable in the heat. Unfortunately, that doesn't work so I'm assuming that wearing a life jacket wouldn't make your dog much hotter than he would be normally.