Training Your Four-Legged First Mate to Be On Board with the Family

When embarking on boating adventures with your family, it's only natural to want to bring your four-legged family members along. Dogs can make excellent companions on board, but it's crucial to ensure they are properly trained and comfortable in a boating environment. In this blog, we'll provide valuable tips on how to train your furry friend to be an exceptional first mate and enjoy safe and enjoyable boating experiences with you. 

1. Start with Basic Obedience Training

Before introducing your dog to the boating world, establish a foundation of basic obedience training. Teach commands such as sit, stay, come, and leave it. These commands will be invaluable when navigating potential hazards on the boat and ensuring your dog's safety. 

2. Familiarize Your Dog with the Boat 

Gradually introduce your dog to the boat in a calm and positive manner. Allow them to explore the vessel when it's docked, encouraging them with treats and praise. Make it a pleasant experience by associating the boat with positive rewards. 

3. Practice On Board Etiquette 

Train your dog to remain in designated areas on the boat, such as a specific spot or a comfortable dog bed. Teach them to avoid certain areas, such as the helm or any potentially dangerous equipment. Consistency and positive reinforcement will help them understand and respect these boundaries. 

4. Acclimate Your Dog to Water 

If your dog isn't accustomed to water, introduce them to it gradually. Start with shallow areas, such as a calm shoreline or a kiddie pool, and reward them for positive interactions. Over time, you can work towards encouraging them to swim alongside the boat using a life jacket for safety. 

5. Safety First: Invest in a Life Jacket 

Just like humans, dogs need life jackets for their safety on the water. Get a properly fitting and buoyant life jacket designed for dogs. Allow them to get comfortable wearing it before taking them on the boat. Make sure the life jacket has a handle on top for easy retrieval in case of an emergency. 

6. Consider Motion Sickness 

Some dogs may experience motion sickness on a boat. Consult with your veterinarian about potential remedies or medications to alleviate their discomfort. Gradual exposure to short boating trips and plenty of fresh air can also help them adjust over time. 

7. Provide Shade, Water, and Comfort 

Ensure your dog has access to shade, especially during hot weather. Set up a designated area with fresh water and a comfortable bed or mat where they can relax and retreat when needed. This will keep them comfortable and prevent overheating. 

8. Potty Training and Waste Management

Teach your dog where to relieve themselves on board. Use puppy pads or create a designated area with a patch of fake grass. Establish a routine and reward them when they use the designated area correctly. Keep waste bags readily available for clean-up. 

9. Socialize and Mind Other Boaters 

Boating often means encountering other people and pets. Socialize your dog to be comfortable around new faces and animals, ensuring they remain friendly and well-behaved. Keep them on a leash when approaching other boats or docks, and always be considerate of others' space. 

10. Regular Practice and Patience 

Consistency and patience are key when training your dog to be a first mate. Practice boating skills regularly, reinforce positive behavior, and address any challenges as they arise. With time, your furry friend will become a confident and trusted companion on board. 

Boats Built with Pet-Friendly Features  

Although with the right training your pet will be comfortable on any vessel, pontoon boats might be the best bet for pet-owners for a number of reasons.  

• The flat deck, compared to a V-Hull, makes walking around the boat while underway more stable for our friends on four legs.  It also provides more walk-around space.  
• The floorplan of a pontoon boat makes for a comfortable ride for everyone and less foreign to a pooch, as the layout mimics that of a living space on dry land.
• The furniture on a pontoon boat is typically more spacious, and depending on the size of your pup and how much they like to sprawl, more furniture space can be a huge positive.  
• The exterior rails and gates help keep animals inside the boat while underway.  Without this added safety feature, a curious pet is more likely to have access to jumping out of the boat. 

Barletta®: Pet-Friendly Pontoons

The founders of Barletta® pontoons are pet-people and recognized a need while living and learning while on board competitors’ boats. For dog owners, their beloved furry friends are part of the family, and yet it was often a challenge taking pets out on the water. So Barletta set out to build the most pet-friendly pontoons in the industry.  

Barletta has implemented design features to make your four legged first mate extra comfortable and their owners extra stress-free. 

Included in all of their models is Scratch & Tear Resistant Marine Vinyl and a stow-away table that doubles as a cool, on-water dog retreat, as well as plenty of deck space for roaming and loungin.

Barletta has also included an optional pet-friendly ladder and some notable features that are the first in their industry.  

Integrated Pet Dishes

Noting that tripping over food & water bowls was less than awesome, every Barletta pontoon is built with standard integrated pet dishes that open easily and tuck away securely. 

Doggie DockView

There’s nothing like taking your four-legged first mate out on your beautiful new pontoon only to watch them jump up on the railing, leaving scratch marks. 

The Doggie DockView feature is standard on the Lusso, Corsa, and Cabrio with colour-coordinated, durable see-through hard plastic, located at the bow & port gates. This allows your pup to enjoy a great view and increases the captain’s visibility when docking your boat.

Training your four-legged first mate for boating adventures can be an incredibly rewarding and worthwhile endeavor. Invest some time and effort in obedience training, acclimating them to the boat environment, and prioritizing their safety and comfort.  Check out Barletta’s pet-friendly pontoons at SWS Marine Group in Calgary, Saskatoon & Edmonton today! Our experts will match you with the pontoon boat that’ll make your whole family happy, including furry ones.