Quote:
Originally Posted by wswhiting
I'm in the search phase for a boat. One concern I have is how to get my dog (90 pounds) below deck. Beneteaus seem to have a companionway that my dog could maneuver, but most boats have step steps that resemble more of a ladder than steps.
Has anyone modified their companionway or built a ramp for their dog to use?
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Hi wswhiting!
It happens we have several
dogs. So small as Chihuahuas Long Coat (4-5 pounds each) and so big as Black Russian Terrier (125 pounds).
On our boat the companionway is definitely steeper than on most od Benes, but admittely not so steep as to be real ladder (found on some older boats).
When You look from upper side, You can see about three inches of the lower step, the rest is hidden under the higher one. No one of our
dogs has a problem with the companionway, but they got some time to get used to.
My
advice is as follow: look around the place where You do live. Probably You can find the place made purposefully for dogs' recreation. Hopefully it will be even the place with all bars and obstacles for agility
training.
You need to spend several days there (not more than two-three hours each time) with a lot od dog's snacks

When Your dog got trained to penetrate the different obstacles, the companionway would be not problem for him, just introduce him to the "ladder" the same way, with a lot of yummy incentive. The situation and the
environment would be new to him, so You would need some patience.
One thing You would need for the companionway, to be adapted to dogs needs is good antislip on the steps. There is a good thread somewhere on CF, several months old, devoted to the companionway steps antislip. Just search for it
Cheers,
Tomasz