Cruising with our new puppy

[Gail Harris]

I joined DK today and am excited about being a part of this site.

My husband and I will be getting a mini goldendoodle in mid-July.  We are retired and live on our 45' sailboat the majority of the year.  I'm interested in any tips concerning having a dog aboard...especially on potty training when it's not possible to go ashore.  Also, learning to go up and down stairs, the best life jacket, really any ideas to make things easy and comfortable for our new little puppy.  We are true dog lovers and have had dogs all of our lives.  We had a lab before we started sailing but he has a problem with motion so he is happily living with our grandchildren.

 

Thanks for any response.

 

Gail

[Gail Harris]

Thanks so much for the info and website about the "Potty Patch". I've heard about this product but didn't know the official name. It sounds like a good idea and it's good to hear from someone who actually uses it.

Also, thanks for the invite... Our sailing grounds so far have been the East and West coasts of Florida, the Keys, the ICW from Lake Worth to New Bern, NC and the Bahamas. During the hottest summer months we keep our boat in a marina in Brunswick. GA.

Happy Boating!

[Natasha]

Congrats on the new puppy (in advance!).

Regarding the stairs - you might consider discussing this with your vet. Many dogs are not able to navigate stairs until they are over 3 months old and, for some (perhaps those that are likely to be bigger which is not the case with you), it's not great for them to go up and down stairs until their joints are ready for it. It's not a big deal as they are so small at that point that you can carry them up and down as needed.

Does your boat have conventional stairs? We sail regularly, but all of the boats that we take out have ladders.

[Gail Harris]

Good point! My thoughts were to introduce stairs early because it would become more natural as she grows. But, I will talk with our vet for advice. She will be an f1 mini so it will not be a problem to carry her as long as we need to.

Regarding the stairs, our boat is a monohull so they are more like a ladder, but fairly wide and deep with an incline similar to an RV.

[Kelli, Fenway, & Dustin Pedroia]

There was a discussion on this just last year. You may want to look it up. Here's the link to the discussion:
http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/life-on-a-boat-with-a?comm...
Don't knwo if this family ever decided to get a doodle, but if so it may be worth talking to them and see what worked for them.
On another note, our dododles love our boat (one a little more than the other). However only one of them swims successfully. The one that doesn't swim so well is able to swim fine with a lifejacket. Not really sure what kind ours is, but it wasn't too expensive and she does very well with it. We don't live on our boat though so no advice there. Good luck and hope to hear stories and see pictures.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Gracie Doodle and I would like to welcome you to DoodleKisses. I love this site and have made many friends through it. It is also my "go to" place for anything I want to know about my Doodle. We live on land and don't have a boat so I can't be of any help there. I do know that Gracie was very nervous the first month or so in the car. It was hard for her to settle on the back seat. I tether her but getting in the car she would be a little scared. Now she loves to ride...with her head out the sunroof!!!

I can hardly wait to start seeing your page and all the great photos of a Doodle on Board!!!

[Gail Harris]

Thanks for your welcome. I went to your videos and thoroughly enjoyed the zoomies after kayaking. I laughed out loud. Gracie looks like a character and such a joy!

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

Check out Orvis.com for life jacket and spill proof water bowl. You can also check out potty park for a potty system. We use Potty Park and you are welcome to contact me for more details.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Welcome. Your dood is going to LOVE living on the boat. I am sure of it - post photos as soon as you bring her home :)

[Nugget's Family]

Hello! Welcome! You will be very glad you've joined DK....it's a great community.

Although we are "landlubbers" fall and winter, we spend our summers in the Adirondacks on a lake and our 3 year old Australian Labradoodle has been boating with us there since she was just a pup. She has this life jacket http://www.petmountain.com/product/dog-apparel/513084/outward-hound... and it is very sturdy and easy to get on. She is very cooperative about using it because she knows it means we are about to go on a fun adventure! I will try to remember to post a picture of her wearing it so that you can see it in action.

Good luck!!