Hello Dog owners! Looking for a Doggy ramp.

marks737

marks737

Active Member
Sep 15, 2009
333
NJ
Boat Info
2005 390 Sundancer
Engines
Cummins QSB 5.9
Looking to bring our dog on the boat. Any suggestions for some kind of ramp from dock to boat? Our slip is on a fixed dock. We have a 50lb. Terrier Mix and he's too heavy to carry on to the boat safely.

Also, he's never been on the boat before. Any recommendations for acclimating him so he's comfortable and happy to be on the boat. He's a little skittish so we might have to go slowly.

Thanks!
 
I was considering building a ramp this year for my sub 50lb kids. Initially I was going to build a "plank" with composite wood and put non-marking padding on the bottom where it would hang over the side of the boat.

BUT....I found an easier solution in my case. I bought a handful of flat bumpers, attached two of them to the pylons immediately fore and aft of where we board our boat and I now tie the boat so it touches these bumpers. With this the gap has been reduced to a few inches. Safe enough for just about everyone and still enough protection from the dock.

Is this possible in your case?
 
Stee6043 said:
I was considering building a ramp this year for my sub 50lb kids. Initially I was going to build a "plank" with composite wood and put non-marking padding on the bottom where it would hang over the side of the boat.

BUT....I found an easier solution in my case. I bought a handful of flat bumpers, attached two of them to the pylons immediately fore and aft of where we board our boat and I now tie the boat so it touches these bumpers. With this the gap has been reduced to a few inches. Safe enough for just about everyone and still enough protection from the dock.

Is this possible in your case?
Click to expand...

I don't think that would work with the way I tie up. I could remove one of the stern lines to get the boat closer to the dock when I bring him aboard, but at low tide, he would have to jump down a few feet which I think he would be hesitant to do.
 
Not trying to be a wise guy, but there are several big threads on this topic with lots of good info.
go to google and type in "dog ramp site:clubsearay.com" - you don't need the quotes in the search.
 
Extremely conservative thoughts on acclimating your dog--YMMV depending on how obedient he is and how quickly he adapts to new situations. Is he acclimated to water already, like swimming in a pool or walking into water from a shoreline?

At least for training, use a PFD with a handle on the back that will also allow you to leave a leash on him. This will give you and him safety and control. If he bolts for any reason, you can grab the handle and/or the leash and minimize risk of him going overboard or running loose in the dock area or in a raft up. If he ends up overboard, you and he will panic less knowing he's floating. Rescuers have reported NOT rescuing dogs because it can be difficult to grab a loose animal by hand or with a hook without a PFD/harness of some sort.

Take him to the boat to hang out without firing the engines or launching, however many times required for him to be less skittish or not skittish at all. Practice boarding and deboarding--again, no engines or other commotion--so he's comfortable with that part of the deal, and so that he does it only on command. Let him dork around above and below to get his sea legs and so you can tell how likely he is to be bouncing from the floor to the seats to the helm or whatever....and so you can train him to stay put when needed. Just like in a car, you don't want a dog in your lap or otherwise in the way while attempting certain maneuvers. Designate a spot for him to be--a certain place on the floor or a seat -- and work on him going there on command (you could even give him a cool phrase, like "man your station!!" and bring a favorite cushion or pillow from home if you think that would help). Also, choose a place you can confine him--whether it's tethered to a seat base or a grab handle, or stowed in the cabin with or without a crate--for situations in which you need to restrict him more. Put him there a few times just because so he knows it's the routine and he's not in trouble or anything. Training him while dockside will take pressure off you, too--hard to split attention between pets and piloting!

When he's comfortable with all of this, fire the engines and gauge his reaction. He may be completely unfazed, or his skittishness may return. If he's terribly nervous, take more time with engines on dockside to let him acclimate to the new noises and vibrations.

When you're ready to launch, be as conservative as you think you need to be--tether/confine him the first few times so you know he won't end up in your lap or over the side while you're going from point A to point B. If he stays calm, un-tether him but leave his leash attached. (If you have experienced passengers who can be co-caretakers/trainers, all the better.)

If you anchor out to swim, transferring him between water and boat may require practice, too. Even if he likes pools/shoreline fun, he may not translate immediately. Continuing to use a PFD/handle can help tremendously, though some dogs are comfortable getting a little lift assist via scruff or tail (not appropriate for all breeds). And some dogs will stay in the water longer and bug their humans less for transfer because they don't tire as quickly while wearing a PFD.

A couple of weekends ago I saw for the first time a dog who was tethered while in the water. His humans had attached a dock line (maybe 20'?) from a low boat cleat to his PFD, and he stayed in the water FOREVER paddling around with them and their friends, but couldn't go visit other raftups without invitation or head to shore. (I've also seen some dogs leave their boats and try really hard not to come back, whether from fear or a sense of adventure--PFDs and tethers help with that.)

Hope he takes to it quickly!!!
 
trflgrl said:
Extremely conservative thoughts on acclimating your dog--YMMV depending on how obedient he is and how quickly he adapts to new situations. Is he acclimated to water already, like swimming in a pool or walking into water from a shoreline?

At least for training, use a PFD with a handle on the back that will also allow you to leave a leash on him. This will give you and him safety and control. If he bolts for any reason, you can grab the handle and/or the leash and minimize risk of him going overboard or running loose in the dock area or in a raft up. If he ends up overboard, you and he will panic less knowing he's floating. Rescuers have reported NOT rescuing dogs because it can be difficult to grab a loose animal by hand or with a hook without a PFD/harness of some sort.

Take him to the boat to hang out without firing the engines or launching, however many times required for him to be less skittish or not skittish at all. Practice boarding and deboarding--again, no engines or other commotion--so he's comfortable with that part of the deal, and so that he does it only on command. Let him dork around above and below to get his sea legs and so you can tell how likely he is to be bouncing from the floor to the seats to the helm or whatever....and so you can train him to stay put when needed. Just like in a car, you don't want a dog in your lap or otherwise in the way while attempting certain maneuvers. Designate a spot for him to be--a certain place on the floor or a seat -- and work on him going there on command (you could even give him a cool phrase, like "man your station!!" and bring a favorite cushion or pillow from home if you think that would help). Also, choose a place you can confine him--whether it's tethered to a seat base or a grab handle, or stowed in the cabin with or without a crate--for situations in which you need to restrict him more. Put him there a few times just because so he knows it's the routine and he's not in trouble or anything. Training him while dockside will take pressure off you, too--hard to split attention between pets and piloting!

When he's comfortable with all of this, fire the engines and gauge his reaction. He may be completely unfazed, or his skittishness may return. If he's terribly nervous, take more time with engines on dockside to let him acclimate to the new noises and vibrations.

When you're ready to launch, be as conservative as you think you need to be--tether/confine him the first few times so you know he won't end up in your lap or over the side while you're going from point A to point B. If he stays calm, un-tether him but leave his leash attached. (If you have experienced passengers who can be co-caretakers/trainers, all the better.)

If you anchor out to swim, transferring him between water and boat may require practice, too. Even if he likes pools/shoreline fun, he may not translate immediately. Continuing to use a PFD/handle can help tremendously, though some dogs are comfortable getting a little lift assist via scruff or tail (not appropriate for all breeds). And some dogs will stay in the water longer and bug their humans less for transfer because they don't tire as quickly while wearing a PFD.

A couple of weekends ago I saw for the first time a dog who was tethered while in the water. His humans had attached a dock line (maybe 20'?) from a low boat cleat to his PFD, and he stayed in the water FOREVER paddling around with them and their friends, but couldn't go visit other raftups without invitation or head to shore. (I've also seen some dogs leave their boats and try really hard not to come back, whether from fear or a sense of adventure--PFDs and tethers help with that.)

Hope he takes to it quickly!!!
Click to expand...

Wow! Excellent information. Thanks! He doesn't like water from what I can tell ie: won't get close to water at beach, doesn't like getting wet in the bath etc...I think we'll have to take it slow like you said and acclimate him gradually.
 
I think there were post on a pig ramp a year or so ago, boy did that one take off.
 
marks737 said:
Wow! Excellent information. Thanks! He doesn't like water from what I can tell ie: won't get close to water at beach, doesn't like getting wet in the bath etc...I think we'll have to take it slow like you said and acclimate him gradually.
Click to expand...
Really hope it helps. If he starts to see that it's fun to do what you do, maybe he'll come out of his shell a little faster. And if he ends up staying inside the boat the whole time he's with you, you get the bonus of not dealing with wet dog!

Potty training may take a bit of effort, too. He could do just as well on the boat as he does in your house, but be patient if he doesn't. Good habits might get off the rails a little bit in a new environment.
 
trflgrl said:
Extremely conservative thoughts on acclimating your dog--YMMV depending on how obedient he is and how quickly he adapts to new situations. Is he acclimated to water already, like swimming in a pool or walking into water from a shoreline?

At least for training, use a PFD with a handle on the back that will also allow you to leave a leash on him. This will give you and him safety and control. If he bolts for any reason, you can grab the handle and/or the leash and minimize risk of him going overboard or running loose in the dock area or in a raft up. If he ends up overboard, you and he will panic less knowing he's floating. Rescuers have reported NOT rescuing dogs because it can be difficult to grab a loose animal by hand or with a hook without a PFD/harness of some sort.

Take him to the boat to hang out without firing the engines or launching, however many times required for him to be less skittish or not skittish at all. Practice boarding and deboarding--again, no engines or other commotion--so he's comfortable with that part of the deal, and so that he does it only on command. Let him dork around above and below to get his sea legs and so you can tell how likely he is to be bouncing from the floor to the seats to the helm or whatever....and so you can train him to stay put when needed. Just like in a car, you don't want a dog in your lap or otherwise in the way while attempting certain maneuvers. Designate a spot for him to be--a certain place on the floor or a seat -- and work on him going there on command (you could even give him a cool phrase, like "man your station!!" and bring a favorite cushion or pillow from home if you think that would help). Also, choose a place you can confine him--whether it's tethered to a seat base or a grab handle, or stowed in the cabin with or without a crate--for situations in which you need to restrict him more. Put him there a few times just because so he knows it's the routine and he's not in trouble or anything. Training him while dockside will take pressure off you, too--hard to split attention between pets and piloting!

When he's comfortable with all of this, fire the engines and gauge his reaction. He may be completely unfazed, or his skittishness may return. If he's terribly nervous, take more time with engines on dockside to let him acclimate to the new noises and vibrations.

When you're ready to launch, be as conservative as you think you need to be--tether/confine him the first few times so you know he won't end up in your lap or over the side while you're going from point A to point B. If he stays calm, un-tether him but leave his leash attached. (If you have experienced passengers who can be co-caretakers/trainers, all the better.)

If you anchor out to swim, transferring him between water and boat may require practice, too. Even if he likes pools/shoreline fun, he may not translate immediately. Continuing to use a PFD/handle can help tremendously, though some dogs are comfortable getting a little lift assist via scruff or tail (not appropriate for all breeds). And some dogs will stay in the water longer and bug their humans less for transfer because they don't tire as quickly while wearing a PFD.

A couple of weekends ago I saw for the first time a dog who was tethered while in the water. His humans had attached a dock line (maybe 20'?) from a low boat cleat to his PFD, and he stayed in the water FOREVER paddling around with them and their friends, but couldn't go visit other raftups without invitation or head to shore. (I've also seen some dogs leave their boats and try really hard not to come back, whether from fear or a sense of adventure--PFDs and tethers help with that.)

Hope he takes to it quickly!!!
Click to expand...

First time posting on this site, but I just wanted to say that this is amazing information. Thanks for taking the time!

Don't have a dog, but we frequently raft up with neighbors who bring their dogs. Two of the three are very skittish and stay in the boat. The third is more interested in chasing ducks than anything else. All three have life vests on.
 
FG Anniv said:
First time posting on this site, but I just wanted to say that this is amazing information. Thanks for taking the time!

Don't have a dog, but we frequently raft up with neighbors who bring their dogs. Two of the three are very skittish and stay in the boat. The third is more interested in chasing ducks than anything else. All three have life vests on.
Click to expand...
You're welcome--glad some folks might find it useful. I'm a HUGE fan of PFDs for animals, even those that are happy and strong in the water. No knocks to folks who don't use them, though--it's totally a personal choice for what works for the humans and pets in question!

We have some very confident, well-acclimated dogs in our extended lake family that are even welcome to visit among different boats....and some that we'd rather never see again. That's 100% in the training, for sure!

The one tethered while swimming was awesome--he was so comfortable that if he swam directly to a person to socialize or be "held" he was still and calm, not trying to clamber onto them like some do. I'm sure some of that was his DNA--he's a water spaniel--but a lot was his training, too.



To the question of boarding from dock to boat--First Mate built a sturdy custom wooden ramp that we use to load/unload people, gear....and the occasional 4 footed visitor, too. We lock it to one of the slip's uprights when we're gone so it's out of the way of neighbors. The search string JimfromMD gave should give you lots of options, probably some portable ones in case you visit another marina or dock and want to take your dog to land. For skittish dogs, something that's the widest your transom door/swim platform/contact point can accommodate, and that they can't see through, may work best--they're intimidated enough sometimes seeing water or a drop off on the sides, so a sure footing (in their brains!) is important. (I had a dog who was absolutely fearless until it came to a flight of iron steps....going down was no issue, but going up it seemed seeing the big gap between each one threw her!) And if they just won't cross it themselves, sure footing for YOU is paramount.
 
I just made my own out plywood & some indoor outdoor carpeting. I have thin lines attached on the boat side to tie off to my cleat & breather holes in the swimstep.
 
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