Dog life jacket and boarding ladder

[Walz]

Well I have a new 1st mate for the coming boating season. He is an English Springer Spaniel that is currently 5 months old. Can't wait to introduce him to the boat this Spring. I was wondering if anyone had a recommendation for a doggie life jacket? Seems there are a few different ones out there so I would like to hear some pros and cons.

Another issue is a ladder for getting on and off the boat. I have tried the Paws-on-Board ladder with a friend's Lab, but had trouble properly securing it to the swim ladder. The other problem is that once you put the ladder in place, humans can't get back on the boat without removing it. Again, wondering what others do.

Thanks for any input!

 

[Four Suns]

What I've learned is that a good dog harness is probably the most important dog gear. Even around the dock, if they fall in, they need a handle. I can't lift my Goldens out with a collar... I learned the hard way... and you aren't going to have them in a life jacket running around the dock and you'll probably not put a life jacket on them when at anchor, etc...

 

[douglee25]

What I've learned is that a good dog harness is probably the most important dog gear. Even around the dock, if they fall in, they need a handle. I can't lift my Goldens out with a collar... I learned the hard way... and you aren't going to have them in a life jacket running around the dock and you'll probably not put a life jacket on them when at anchor, etc...

Do you have any harnesses you recommend?

How about life jackets?

This is on my to do list this winter.

Doug

 

[M&M's_Beach_House]

This is what we use and love it. The handle is perfect for pulling him up on the platform and the handle is also perfect for tying him off to the boat with a couple of long dock lines so he doesn't go swimming into the middle of the bay!!

http://www.myoutwardhound.com/life-preservers-for-dogs-dog-life-jackets.html

BTW, he is an 70lb golden retriever.

 

[JimT]

We also use the Outward Bound life jacket for our 12 lb Jack Russell who thinks she is a duck and is constantly jumping in the water. It works great. The dog loves it so much she pulls it out of the locker, throws it at my feet and barks until I put it on her.

 

[Zorba]

Outward Hound is the way to go. We have three dogs all over 75lbs and use it for all of them.

Heavy wet labs are not easy to get out of the water and especially dificult on my 260 with the raised integrated swim platform. Also they all where a harness when on or around the boat. Inevetably they will fall or jump in the water at somepoint so having that extra grab point is easier on my back and you don't strangle the dog trying to get it out of the water

And no they are not all three on the boat at the same time. That is why a 330 Express is in my future

 

[avguy]

We use the Paws-a-board with our 90lb lab & 60 lb collie. After making a few modifications we finally got it to stay on the ladder where it is supposed to. It is sturdy enough for me (200lbs) to use to get in & out of the water. Life jackets for both dogs as well.

 

[tbirdvet]

Does anyone make one of those Auto inflate jackets for a dog?