Cruisers & Sailing Forums - View Single Post

Entlie · 05-11-2007, 13:38

Our dog Toby is a 60 lb. Entlebucher (smallest of the Swiss Mountain Dogs). He's another "solid muscle" type of dog - and being a herding dog, high energy and too smart for his own good. Not known to be swimmers, ours loves the water.

We are starting to load for our next Bahamas cruise. Here are some Toby-related items that will go aboard:

First of all - a good dog first aid kit. Our vet helped us with ours. Remember that dogs can take many human medications - ask your vet for guidelines. If you're off for an extended trip, don't forget monthly heartworm, flea and tick medications. A good first aid kit addition is "vet wrap." It's available at most feed stores - lightweight, self-sticking adhesive bandages. I figure we might need it for humans too, so always bring several rolls. Even if you are only taking short trips, a per first aid kit is advisable.

Micro Chip. Every time you go to the vet, have them scan for the chip. If traveling internationally, be sure it's an international chip.

Lifejacket. Mark all information on the lifejacket - boat name, phone number, dog name, etc. Water activated strobe.

Cockpit tether. This is carefully measured so he goes no further than the edges of the cockpit. Depending on how your dog behaves in the dinghy, maybe a tether for the dinghy.

Harness (this is in addition to a lifejacket). It's too darn hot to wear a life jacket all the time. When he's not wearing his lifejacket, he's on the tether, wearing his harness. Harness has id tag with home info on one side and boat info on the other.

Frisbees, tennis balls, dog treats. Pet hair roller thinggys. Pet hair removal sponge. Dog towel. Bucket for sluicing sand, muck, dirt, etc. off dog before he gets back on boat.

We have a carpet covered fender board to use as a dog-retrieval ramp, but haven't had to use it yet. However, the first year he was aboard, we found him swimming at the stern of the boat. That's when the tether came into play, and no problems since.

See attached photo of harness and tether in action. Notice that it also works as a hold-fast to the skipper in the cockpit.

Entlie
Sailing Catamaran Sunspot Baby

05-11-2007, 13:38	#9
Entlie Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: New Bern, NC (Fairfield Harbour) Boat: Sunspot Baby - 1994 Prout Manta Catamaran Posts: 150	Our dog Toby is a 60 lb. Entlebucher (smallest of the Swiss Mountain Dogs). He's another "solid muscle" type of dog - and being a herding dog, high energy and too smart for his own good. Not known to be swimmers, ours loves the water. We are starting to load for our next Bahamas cruise. Here are some Toby-related items that will go aboard: First of all - a good dog first aid kit. Our vet helped us with ours. Remember that dogs can take many human medications - ask your vet for guidelines. If you're off for an extended trip, don't forget monthly heartworm, flea and tick medications. A good first aid kit addition is "vet wrap." It's available at most feed stores - lightweight, self-sticking adhesive bandages. I figure we might need it for humans too, so always bring several rolls. Even if you are only taking short trips, a per first aid kit is advisable. Micro Chip. Every time you go to the vet, have them scan for the chip. If traveling internationally, be sure it's an international chip. Lifejacket. Mark all information on the lifejacket - boat name, phone number, dog name, etc. Water activated strobe. Cockpit tether. This is carefully measured so he goes no further than the edges of the cockpit. Depending on how your dog behaves in the dinghy, maybe a tether for the dinghy. Harness (this is in addition to a lifejacket). It's too darn hot to wear a life jacket all the time. When he's not wearing his lifejacket, he's on the tether, wearing his harness. Harness has id tag with home info on one side and boat info on the other. Frisbees, tennis balls, dog treats. Pet hair roller thinggys. Pet hair removal sponge. Dog towel. Bucket for sluicing sand, muck, dirt, etc. off dog before he gets back on boat. We have a carpet covered fender board to use as a dog-retrieval ramp, but haven't had to use it yet. However, the first year he was aboard, we found him swimming at the stern of the boat. That's when the tether came into play, and no problems since. See attached photo of harness and tether in action. Notice that it also works as a hold-fast to the skipper in the cockpit. Entlie Sailing Catamaran Sunspot Baby Attached Thumbnails __________________ "Never a ship sails out of a bay but carries my heart as a stowaway." -Roselle Mercier Montgomery"