Now that boating season is well underway, it’s time to make sure that everyone on board has a safe summer afloat. Let’s assume that we all have enough PFDs for everyone on board. But what about our pets, particularly our dogs?
I have to admit that I just figured that my 75-pound yellow Lab was a good enough swimmer so I didn’t have anything on my Grand Banks or other boats for him. Labs do swim, right? Well, so do other dogs, but for how long, and in what conditions? And I never addressed the real issue, which was how in the world was I ever going to get that 75-pound dog back on the boat if he did fall overboard?
For many people, the answer is to prepare in advance, and to protect their pets with dog life jackets. Indeed, the dog life jacket market is doing well, with different types of canine PFDs for sale everywhere from big box stores and pet shops to West Marine. And they come in many types and sizes. The point is to get one that’s comfortable for your dog, that will keep him or her afloat, and that gives you something to hold onto if you have to lift the dog out of the water.
A while ago BoatUS tested life jackets for three types of dogs – big, medium and large – and reported the results. The most important thing is to make sure the jacket fits, particularly for smaller dogs who have less wiggle room in a poorly fitting jacket and who probably aren’t water dogs in the first place. For larger dogs, some jackets keep the hind section floating and horizontal, leading to a more natural swimming position.
For any size dog, see where the jacket rubs and where the straps or buckles hit. Try to find a jacket with a lifting strap or handle, and make sure it has bright colors or reflective tape. One final piece of advice: If the jacket has Velcro closures, the dog’s shedding could clog them up, so you’ll need to clean the Velcro occasionally. For more:
http://www.boatus.com/magazine/2012/june/its-a-dogs-life-jacket.asp
