Sometimes the Dog Paddle Just Isn't Good Enough!!
by Judy Hart
PWCCA Newsletter, June 1985
When we think of summer we immediately think of fleas and heartworm, possibly even the dangers of heatstroke -but how often do we give adequate thought to drowning? As a breeder who is also a member of the Coast Guard Reserve, currently doing search and rescue work on the Chesapeake Bay, I'm appalled at the number of dog owners who take their pets on boat trips with minimal or no precautions for their safety.
Equally important is some common sense prevention and training.
Twice last August while I was on duty we received calls about dogs overboard and struggling for their lives in the middle of the Bay. Neither dog was missed for quite some time by their owners and both were saved only by chance encounters with dog lovers in small boats who were physically able to drag them onboard. The only thing right that both owners had done was to have tags on the dogs' collars. After much effort on the part of many individuals and several agencies, both dogs were reunited with their owners. I shudder to think how many dogs haven't been as lucky.
The "doggy flotation devices" do work, and provide extra flotation for the exhausted dog who does not know how to "float" and conserve his strength pending rescue. They should be considered as necessary for a pet under way who is far from shore or in rough
weather as a life jacket for a small child under similar circumstances.
Can you physically lift your soaking wet and probably struggling dog onto your boat from the water? The freeboard (distance from the water to the deck or top edge of your boat) is frequently so great that this is impossible, especially on sailboats. Practice this "dog overboard" drill while on your mooring; if you cannot manage it under these ideal conditions, you certainly will not be able to manage in an emergency.
Ensure that your dog can swim well enough that he won't panic; don't believe the old saying that "all dogs can swim" will hold true if your pet is suddenly thrown overboard in choppy water. A terrified, thrashing dog will be exhausted in minutes, and it will take more than minutes to get turned around and maneuver close enough to help him. If you have a water-loving dog, ensure that his training is such that he will not dive in without permission.
Invent and practice a game getting Rover to swim to a life-ring. A small sound-producing device to keep you Rover to swim to a life ring. A small dog can perch on and cling to a life ring; a larger dog can easily hold on with his front legs. A dog that will swim to (and into) a life ring lowered from a boat can be pulled aboard even a boat with high freeboard. If you have a swim platform or ladder, teach the dog to swim around the boat and use it! This is also a "must" for the home with a swimming pool; TRAIN your dog until he can locate easily use steps and ladders and can confidently exit on his own.
If your vessel is large enough that the dog may not be in your sight at all times, consider confining the dog to a give safe area, or using a bell or other sound-producing device to keep your aware of his whereabouts.
Ensure that your pet has identification tags just in case he becomes dependent on the kindness of strangers. If you do a lot of boating, consider a special boat collar and tag with the name of your vessel, home port, and radio call sign, as well as your name, address and telephone number.
Obvious safety rules should be observed for pets as well as people; don't allow your dog to "bow ride." He'll love standing in the bow of your power boat with the wind streaming through his ears; he'll also get a bad wind and salt burn in his eyes, and if he loses his balance he'll go right through your propellers before you can react. Gory? You bet! Couldn't happen? Wrong-tragically, heartbreakingly wrong.
Provide sunscreen for your shorthaired, light-skinned dog, or for your dark-coated critter who must come off the water and into the show ring. The combination of sun and wind causes dehydration far more quickly than ashore; provide cool water or ice frequently. Keep his nails short so he doesn't skid across the decks (he can't grab a stanchion like you do!), and ensure that fishing equipment is properly stowed so he doesn't get "fish-hooked."
Boating is fun for beast as well as man-even our cat has gone along on a cruise! Accidents can happen quickly, however, and help is not always close enough at hand to prevent a tragedy. A bit of foresight and a few minutes of training may well save your dog's life, and save you a lifetime of guilt.
