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Old 06-18-2020, 09:45 PM   #1
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do dogs fall off boats often?

We have two dogs. A miniature golden retriever and a shepoo. The little golden loves the water but is not interested in jumping off docks or water that she cant tell the depth.The shepoo dosnt care for water at all.
My question is. Do you guys find dogs are sure footed enough to not fall overboard? We obviously grab a railing but dog obviously cant do that.
Thoughts?
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Old 06-18-2020, 09:53 PM   #2
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Do you guys find dogs are sure footed enough to not fall overboard?
I had 2 dogs that used to cruise with us. 1 black Lab mix & 1 Laso Apsa/ Terrier mix. The lab fell over the side twice & the small dog never left the salon. He was terrified of the whole thing! We bought life preservers for both and they wore them religiously.
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Old 06-18-2020, 10:23 PM   #3
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The smart ones only fall off once. Kinda like people.
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Old 06-18-2020, 10:29 PM   #4
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My labs over the years have never fallen off any boat. Anchored, I have a clamp on ramp on the swim platform that allows the dogs to get aboard on their own.
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Old 06-18-2020, 10:35 PM   #5
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Never fallen over, however on the dock nearly lost one to the current. Luckily a friend was close and pulled the wet puppy back to the dock. Now a life preserver is worn unless in the salon.
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Old 06-18-2020, 10:48 PM   #6
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I'd love to see a picture.
I have too labs and would like to set something up like that.
Chester fell between the commercial dock and the boat when I first got it. Tore my coller bone loose pulling him up (sorry, this was in reply to Lepke)
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Old 06-19-2020, 12:34 AM   #7
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We always had goldens but as we aged we found they got to heavy as they aged and needed help so we went with a genetically built golden that weights 30lbs but other then weight is all golden. Also we did get PFDs for them.
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Old 06-19-2020, 12:47 AM   #8
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This is one of those questions were there is always the exception. Most dogs fallen in once and it’s usually at the dock. Some are dumb and fall in day one. Some are brave, sure footed aNd takes some strange event before they fall off the boat sitting at the dock. Dogs are much less likely to fall off once the boat is moving but still it happens on occasion. Some dogs never fall off. So there is your answer.
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Old 06-19-2020, 12:58 AM   #9
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We have an Australian Kelpie that is very sure footed. She had no problem running along the narrow, unprotected side deck to get to the bow.

We bought her a bigger, thicker PDF a couple years ago. She went to scoot along the side deck but the thicker PDF caught the edge of the wheelhouse and bumped her overboard. Now she goes forward via the centre window.
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Old 06-19-2020, 01:51 AM   #10
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We have a Lab that is fearless on the boat. He jumps on and off like it is nothing. If the boat is within 5 or 6’ from the dock he will jump without a thought so we have to keep the side gates closed. He runs up to the edge and stops with half his feet hanging over the edge but has not gone in yet. He absolutely loves going up on the bow. We have an enclosure that he has learned how to unsnap so he can go under it to the bow. So we put a large fender in the walkway to keep him on the sundeck. If we hang it with the bottom of the fender forward he will slide under it and get to the bow. So we learned to hang it with the bottom pointing aft and he can’t get under it to go on the bow. Amazing how they learn to do stuff.
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Old 06-19-2020, 04:57 AM   #11
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As a USCG guy...I can tell you they fall off with regularity that enough owners ask the USCG to look for them. One lady offered a $10,000 reward over 20 years ago. That was up on Delaware Bay..

How many fall off and either are recovered or self rescue? I cant say but my guess is it is more than a rarity.

Years ago, Soundings ran an article discussing the subject...they seemed to have plenty of examples too.

Dogs aboard my boat have even tried to cut the corner of a floating dock, stuffed with weeds and branches, so thick it appeared as dry land.
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Old 06-19-2020, 06:12 AM   #12
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How about cats falling over? Ours seems to have an affinity for water.
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Old 06-19-2020, 06:29 AM   #13
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Cats too...most cats on the north side FT Pierce City Marina this past winter seem to have wound up in the water at least once.

One old salt has a rug hff hanging over the side so they can climb back on.
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Old 06-19-2020, 06:32 AM   #14
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Our American Pit has only fallen in once getting off the boat and on to the skinny dock at Chincoteague city docks. It was very early in the morning and the docks were wet and slippery. My wife was trying to take Rosie for a walk, so there was no life jacket. Rosie jumped off the boat on to the docks and just slid right off. I was still sleeping when I heard the splashing and my wife calling for me. I ran out and layed down on the dock and with my wife pulling the pooch out by the collar and me at her back legs we managed to get her up and out. After it was over I found myself hoping that the city doesn't have any cameras on their docks since I was still in my underwear and luckily we were the only ones at the docks that morning.
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Old 06-19-2020, 06:43 AM   #15
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How about cats falling over? Ours seems to have an affinity for water.

During 10 years of boating, our cat hasn't fallen overboard yet! Visiting neighbors' boats without permission is another matter, however ;-)
Have you put your cat's affinity for water to good use, Angus99?
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Old 06-19-2020, 07:18 AM   #16
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Growing up, the only times our golden ended up in the water were due to a failed jump on/off the boat at the dock. Our current poodle isn't the most surefooted on the fiberglass decks, so he wears sneakers on the boat. And he's not allowed out onto the side decks or anywhere with a danger of falling unattended.
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Old 06-19-2020, 07:20 AM   #17
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Our 55lb Boxer/Sharpei/+? mix can swim fine, and wades the shallows

when ashore, but is not an habitual swimmer like a Lab. She wears a PFD when anywhere near the water. She once ran down a ramp to a pier lower than shore, skidded on the moss and dew-covered wooden planking when reaching the bottom, and slid right off into the water 18" lower than the pier. The handle on the back of her PFD provided the only realistic way to retrieve her quickly.

Gelcoat does not provide much for a dog's paws to grip, even on molded non-skid.
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Old 06-19-2020, 07:24 AM   #18
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There is no downside to a PFD for the dog

Once we put it on her a few times she now eagerly puts her head through the hole for her neck at the front of the PFD herself and patiently lets me secure the pair of straps.
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Old 06-19-2020, 08:36 AM   #19
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I can't answer your question with authority because I don't cruise with dogs. But I can offer an anecdote:

A neighbor boat had two little "lap dogs", the owner drank way more than was healthy. I was walking past and one dog was yapping at me fiercely. I heard his claws scratching on the deck then a splash. I was inclined to let him swim for it but decided to do a rescue. I turned around and looked into the water, the dog was sinking! No attempt to swim, just heading for the bottom. I grabed it and called for the owner. End of story.

Point being, I never realized that some dogs sink! Better put your in life jackets.

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Old 06-19-2020, 08:50 AM   #20
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During 10 years of boating, our cat hasn't fallen overboard yet! Visiting neighbors' boats without permission is another matter, however ;-)
Have you put your cat's affinity for water to good use, Angus99?


Ha! I think Chloe just likes to be mesmerized. Not interested in self-improvement.
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