I have seen more and more people taking their dogs with them boating, which is awesome!
Not only is it another way to spend quality time with the furry member of your family and strengthens the bond, but it also exposes you and your dog to new real life situations which will only boost your dog's confidence. One word of warning though…
When taking your dog boating or on any watercraft, always have them in a lifejacket. Even if they are strong swimmers, if they were to fall overboard, they could panic, and depending on the situation, they could be in the water for a long time.
When looking for a life jacket there are a few things to look for:
a. Be sure that it is a snug fit
b. That the floatation material wraps under the belly
c. That there is floatation support the under the neck to keep the dogs head afloat.
d. Most will have a handle on the backside, which is imperative for pulling your dog out of the water.
There are a number of companies that make lifejackets for dogs. A line that I really think is great is Ruffwear.
Be safe and have fun!
This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.