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Kamaloha · 17-09-2009, 21:59

Our Golden Retriever had a horrible time with the salt water. We had to rinse her down with fresh after every swim - talk about wanton water use! The alternative was skin infections all over, so we had to do it. She only went on a few short trips with us before she went to doggy heaven at the age of 14.

Her replacements are 2 Sint Maarten shelter puppies. They are in and out of salt water multiple times a day, mucking it up in the mud flats of Maine, and not a bit of a problem. We use the Outward Hound life jackets, which are well balanced and have a neoprene chest wrap and a sturdy grab handle. When they have mucked it up, we just refuse them access to the dink until it is over their depth, so they swim off the filth, then we haul them onboard. One trick we have learned is to towel them off immediately upon return to the mother ship. We have several old towels reserved for the purpose. Not only does the towelling remove most of the water, but also the salt that comes with it and a whole bunch of loose dog hair. Within a few minutes, they are soft and fluffy again.

So that is the long answer to your question. The short answer is that it depends on the health of the dog's skin. If he is the sensitive sort, be prepared to use alot of fresh water, medicated bathes, and have antibiotics on hand by the case. If he has never had a problem with his skin before, he may never have a problem with the salt.

Regarding dogs' earning their keep on board: no one approaches our boat without a reception of barking, growling and gnashing of teeth. No one in their right mind would choose our boat to burgularize. And we were once saved from a collision with a catamaran that was dragging its anchor because one of the dogs just went beserk barking and would not be quieted. I rushed out into the cockpit to drag her below so she wouldn't wake the whole anchorage, only to find the cat bearing down on us with no one on deck. A few quick shouts and some powerful fending and no harm was done to either boat. Cariba dog earned her biscuits that night!

17-09-2009, 21:59	#11
Kamaloha Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 36	Our Golden Retriever had a horrible time with the salt water. We had to rinse her down with fresh after every swim - talk about wanton water use! The alternative was skin infections all over, so we had to do it. She only went on a few short trips with us before she went to doggy heaven at the age of 14. Her replacements are 2 Sint Maarten shelter puppies. They are in and out of salt water multiple times a day, mucking it up in the mud flats of Maine, and not a bit of a problem. We use the Outward Hound life jackets, which are well balanced and have a neoprene chest wrap and a sturdy grab handle. When they have mucked it up, we just refuse them access to the dink until it is over their depth, so they swim off the filth, then we haul them onboard. One trick we have learned is to towel them off immediately upon return to the mother ship. We have several old towels reserved for the purpose. Not only does the towelling remove most of the water, but also the salt that comes with it and a whole bunch of loose dog hair. Within a few minutes, they are soft and fluffy again. So that is the long answer to your question. The short answer is that it depends on the health of the dog's skin. If he is the sensitive sort, be prepared to use alot of fresh water, medicated bathes, and have antibiotics on hand by the case. If he has never had a problem with his skin before, he may never have a problem with the salt. Regarding dogs' earning their keep on board: no one approaches our boat without a reception of barking, growling and gnashing of teeth. No one in their right mind would choose our boat to burgularize. And we were once saved from a collision with a catamaran that was dragging its anchor because one of the dogs just went beserk barking and would not be quieted. I rushed out into the cockpit to drag her below so she wouldn't wake the whole anchorage, only to find the cat bearing down on us with no one on deck. A few quick shouts and some powerful fending and no harm was done to either boat. Cariba dog earned her biscuits that night!