Teaching an Old(er) Dog to Pee on the Boat

[BessLB]

Does any one have any good advice on teaching an older dog to use a turf pee pad on the boat? Our dog is about 8 years old and very teachable. He knows how to play hide and seek, and poops on command before we get in the car to drive to the boat. I don't think this should be too hard. But in an effort to not screw up before I start...who has some good advice for me??!!

Previously we've always picked anchorages with shore access for dog duty....but we'd like to have the option to not need to worry about dingying ashore to pee the dog.

Thanks in advance!! I look forward to your help!

[sarafina]

This is a popular topic ; -)

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ing-42973.html

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ods-27259.html

[BessLB]

Thanks Sara! My Search led me nowhere quickly. I appreciate the links!

[ActiveCaptain]

We developed a simple way to help a dog understand where they can do their business on a boat. It works by using the psychology of the way dogs think about what's "inside" and "outside" on a boat. They seem to get confused about it and don't want to pee on the bow, let's say, because they recognize the entire boat as an "inside" place.

We've used the technique on 3 of our own dogs. Dyna was 9 when she ran through it with flying colors. Since publishing the article, more than 50 people have written to us telling us how well the technique works.

We keep a blog of our cruising done mostly from the point of view of our two dogs onboard:
http://takingpaws.com

[boatman61]

Ok.... Doggie Psychology....
Dunno if you've noticed but dogs like to sniff and pee where others have been before... its a territorial thing.. marking their zone...
I suggest you find a tree or something thats popular with dogs in the area then lay your square of turf against it... then sit back and wait.
All you need is one dog to come up, sniff and pee on it..
Give it a quick shake to dispose of the excess then take it back to the boat and lay it in the spot you've picked for its 'Loo'...
I reckon he'll pee on it within 2mins after you've shown it to him... and he'll carry on after... just pat him on the head and give him a treat after when he looks at you all worried when he realises he may have done wrong...
We train em to pee away from home... so its no wonder they'll burst their bladders first...
Dunno if this is similar to Active Captains... have not read it... don't have a dog...
Did have a GF with an Airdale who refused on the boat... she squatted and pee'd at the bow in front of him... the aft deck by the cockpit.. the dog just looked at her like she was nuts and walked away.... Hilarious

[ActiveCaptain]

Originally Posted by boatman61

...dogs like to sniff and pee where others have been before... its a territorial thing.. marking their zone...

Since the OP's dog is a male, that's not a bad thing to try along with the inside/outside training. Females aren't so interested in over-pee'ing another dog so it might have little effect with them.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by ActiveCaptain

Since the OP's dog is a male, that's not a bad thing to try along with the inside/outside training. Females aren't so interested in over-pee'ing another dog so it might have little effect with them.

LOL..... obviously have'nt seen their interest in male dog pee...
check out the testosterone levels... if high.. squat and pee beside...
We're all out to leave signs for the perfect mate... even dogs...
But teasing aside... its worth a shot...

[Hudson Force]

I like the "Boatman61 plan! I added, what some may think as cruel, a teather to the stern rail that was not removed until the puppy poroduced!

I'm no dog whisperer, but I am far more stubborn than my puppy!

Isn't this a face of a sincere dog!
Let's do lunch and discuss the plan,-
The solution comes with consistancy, DOGmatic deligence and adherance to a plan. 'and on your side is the axiom, - "dogs will pee and crap!"
When I clap my hands and call out the command word, "Lido...Lido"....my dog, Zorro, runs to the stern and he won't return until he's produced something.

[svtadpole]

Teach the dog to pee & crap in the cockpit (sailboat ) or afterdeck (powerboat ) .... one bucket of seawater & the stuff goes down the scuppers ....

Turf ..... pffffft

[BessLB]

Thanks everyone for the words of wisdom! I got a piece of "putting green" plastic carpet at Lowe's for super cheap....and some puppy training smell spray from the petsmart. For day one, in the back yard, he did show some smellable interest in the little piece of plastic grass. I don't think it will take long at all.

We have a little trawler, and my hope is to be able to throw the "pee area" out on the bow (near our anchor washdown) when needed and stow it when not. It's good to hear that others have also trained older dogs to be accommodating.

[SaucySailoress]

Originally Posted by ActiveCaptain

Females aren't so interested in over-pee'ing another dog so it might have little effect with them.

Ours is!!! She cocks her leg too. Too much time spent with boy dogs, methinks.

Our bitch prefers to hold it in on the boat, but when cruising for the weekend she goes on the bow... Not sure why, we never asked her to, or trained her to. Might be just that it's the furthest away from us normally, and least people traffic...?

[nigel1]

Originally Posted by SaucySailoress

Ours is!!! She cocks her leg too. Too much time spent with boy dogs, methinks.

Our bitch prefers to hold it in on the boat, but when cruising for the weekend she goes on the bow... Not sure why, we never asked her to, or trained her to. Might be just that it's the furthest away from us normally, and least people traffic...?

Our girly dog is the same, sometimes squats and squirts, other times cocks her leg, and usually where another dog has been. And, really does not like to do it on the boat, emergency only.

[Morgan3820]

My wife (Lord help me if she finds out I told you all) squated and peed in front of our black Lab forward of the mast. The dog followed behind her and peed also, first time!

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by Morgan3820

My wife (Lord help me if she finds out I told you all) squated and peed in front of our black Lab forward of the mast. The dog followed behind her and peed also, first time!

There's a profit to be made here! I can see the title now,- THE DOG WHIZPERER!

[witzgall]

Bess, I think Tom learns best by example - so take him out and show him exactly what you wish him to do!

Originally Posted by BessLB

Does any one have any good advice on teaching an older dog to use a turf pee pad on the boat? Our dog is about 8 years old and very teachable. He knows how to play hide and seek, and poops on command before we get in the car to drive to the boat. I don't think this should be too hard. But in an effort to not screw up before I start...who has some good advice for me??!!

Previously we've always picked anchorages with shore access for dog duty....but we'd like to have the option to not need to worry about dingying ashore to pee the dog.

Thanks in advance!! I look forward to your help!