Boating with your dog is an amazing bonding experience that’s typically fulfilling for both the pet and their owner. However, your dog will need some time to get its sea legs before you can both enjoy your time together away from shore. To learn how to introduce your dog to boating and help them acclimate to their new surroundings, check out the helpful tips below. 

Getting Ready

Your dog's first excursion onto open waters should be kept short to ensure your pet doesn’t become too overwhelmed. To begin, allow your dog to board and explore your boat while docked—offering them plenty of treats as they do so. If your dog seems anxious you may want to cut the trip short and head home at this point. However, if your pet seems relaxed, you can take them for a very short ride away from the dock, stopping regularly to soothe them and offer them rewards and praise.

Taking Your First Trip 

Once your dog has adjusted to these short rides, you and your pet should be ready for a full-length boating trip. However, before you two hit open waters together, be sure to gather all of the necessary supplies. Food, water, bowls, and some shade are required to keep your dog comfortable during a long boat trip, and we also recommend investing in a doggy life vest for your pet. Be sure to also bring along some cleaning supplies to pick up after your pet when they use the bathroom. 

For more helpful boating tips, feel free to stop by West Performance Marine. We are proud to be your local boat dealer in Lake City, AR, offering a wide selection of boats for sale and expert advice on boating. We also offer boat parts and accessories for sale. Thanks for choosing West Performance Marine for all your boating needs! We look forward to serving you.