-- Thankfully, the warm days of summer have arrived. With the beautiful weather, so beckons the call to go out on the water. Many of you choose to take your canine friends along for the boat ride. Be sure to follow a few common sense guidelines:
While on the boat, make sure your dog is under constant supervision, especially while the boat is moving. If your puppy or dog is a newcomer to the boat and to the water, take things slowly to allow your pet to adjust to the movement of the boat and to the noise of the engines. If your pet is nervous or scared while on board, you may want to consider leaving him behind next time. Not every dog will enjoy being on a boat.
No matter what size your dog, consider using a Personal (Pet) Flotation Device. Quite a few companies make them in varying sizes and specifications. It is important to properly size your dog, so bring him along when you purchase this safety item.
I know what some of you Labrador owners are thinking, "A PFD, for my dog?" My response is yes. No matter how good a swimmer your dog may be, a PFD can come in handy when a dog does not realize his true swimming limitations or accidentally falls overboard. Keep in mind that most, if not all PFDs for pets are designed with a convenient handle on top that aids in lifting your dog out of the water.
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Taking your dog boating
