Outside temperatures suggest that the boater season is just behind the corner. Many people take their family and children on a water adventure. Some boaters even take their four-legged friends along. What can you do to make sure your trip goes smoothly? Let's take a look at what you shouldn't forget when going on a boating trip.
First, find out how your pet reacts to water before you go on the trip. Some dogs feel at home in the water, but others may not be as proficient swimmers and may be afraid of water. So before you go ride the river, you must get your dog familiar with water and canoe or raft. First, take a ride on calm water and find out how your dog reacts to it. Always let him go back to shore so he's not afraid. When the dog gets used to the rocking of the boat, he will view the situation as normal and will not perceive it as dangerous. You should also teach him to sit or lie still in the boat, especially if it's a larger breed, otherwise all it would take is a fast movement from one side to the other and you will be in the water.
If your dog is not a proficient swimmer, there are several life jackets for dogs on the market. They differ in quality and price. I think taking the middle road is a good idea. Some dogs don't like vests, so it's better to go when you are sure your partner can handle it. However, you should never dress your dog in a vest designed for people; it doesn’t fit anatomically and restricts their movement. It's also better to ride down weirs without the dog on board, and you should choose days that aren't too hot in consideration of your pet. Excessive heat on the water can be truly unbearable for dogs, and they can easily overheat. A cooling pad or vest can also be a good helper on a boat.
You should pack a leash, of course, and a muzzle, which you will especially need at the campsite. You should also pack drinking water so your dog doesn't need to drink river water the whole time. And don't forget dog food. Collapsible bowls that easily fit into a bag are very practical. It's also nice to bring some treats along. After all, your four-legged pet deserves to be rewarded for handling the boat so well. The bottom of a canoe will not be very comfortable, so I recommend bringing your dog a comfortable bed, but you could also use an old folded ground pad that doesn't mind water.
Many boaters say how great riding the river with their dog is. Your trip gets a new dimension where your pet meets new people and you have fun. Of course, it does mean a bit of extra trouble. You have to make more stops to let your pet run around and go potty. But that's a small price to pay for enriching each other with moments spent together and fun. :)
Did you ever take your dog on a boat? Do you have any other tips?
Cats are no longer the outside countryside homeless animals that come closer to a house just for a while when they are in the mood for it. Rather the opposite, they have started living in city flats and have adjusted to our lifestyle. However, it’s...
Rabbits are popular pets especially for city flats. It’s because they don’t require a lot of space and don’t need to go outside very often (no garden needed). However, it doesn’t mean taking care of them is easy and no time or efforts are needed. We...
It sounds lovely: a dog gets a command, it does it and gets a treat or a reward for that. It won’t end with one moment in the perfect case and it will become the basic idea of a whole training for a dog that will become an obedient pet using positive...
Every dog owner knows that feeling when (s)he has to leave house to work or (s)he can’t take his/her pet with him/her for any reason and (s)he doesn’t know what’s going to happen. Can a dog handle the situation or will it bark and go on the rampage?...
Fear is natural for people and everyone has their own fears. While someone is scared of spiders, heights or confined spaces, others are scared of dogs. This fear is common in children who haven’t explored the world so well yet and who don’t know the...
Guinea pigs are popular pets especially in families with kids. They are small animals that can bring a lot of joy. If you consider buying a guinea pig, there are some aspects you shouldn’t neglect before making the decision. We talked about what to...
Have you heard about sport called Disc Dog? It basically consists of throwing a disc to your dog that fetches it. Disc Dog can be done as a recreational or a professional sport. For professional competitors, there are several disciplines for which...
Siberian Cat is quite a new breed that was only recognized by the Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe) in 1992. It emerged from crossbreeding domestic cats and breeds brought from the Near East and it found its home in Russia and Ukraine where it...
Most of us have this long thought-to-be-true idea that one dog year equals to seven human years. So, if you have a two-year-old puppy at home, it is already 14 years old when compared to humans. Therefore, if you have a ten-year-old dog at home, it is...
Breast milk is, in the beginning of life, the best thing a pup can get from its mother. It is full of the nutrients it needs to grow and develop properly. However, as the offsprings grow, milk needs to be supplemented with other food, so they are...
Cat lovers and breeders know very well that one cat is often not enough, and that there is sometimes a need to get another cat companion. However, this decision will affect the whole household and, above all, it is necessary to prepare the cat you...
Many of us are under the influence of the need to fulfill a dream of getting an unconventional pet, which the minipig certainly is. This trend has been present in the Czech Republic for about ten years. But don’t be fooled by those cute snouts, taking...
