Boating is a great family activity which is why including your dog on boating adventures is a great idea. Most dogs love the water and all dogs love spending time with you which makes boating and dogs a great combination. No matter how old your dog is no matter what the breed is boating can be a great fit. However there are a few things to consider for both safety and convenience to make the experience perfect for both you and your dog. Here are a things to keep in mind when it comes to boating with your pup.

Regulations

Before heading out to hit the lake check with local regulations to make sure that the boy of water you plan on utilizing allows for dogs to be on the boat. While most boating recreation areas do some do not and some have specific guidelines that you may need to follow. Take a minute and do some homework to avoid problematic situations.

Safety

No doubt boating like any activity presents a few safety hazards for your pup. The good thing is all of them can be addressed with a little bit of preparation and planning. First of all it is essential to know your dogs capabilities. Spend a time with your dog in the water before going boating. This will allow your dog to practice swimming in more than one setting. If your dog is comfortable with water before heading out on the boat it will make the experience a lot more fun. Here are a few safety concerns to keep in mind.

1. Bring a life vest for your dog!

Depending on your dogs ability to swim will help determine if your dog needs to be wearing the best at all times. If you have a powerful, confident swimmer a vest may not be needed at all times. However even the best swimmers can get tired or suffer from hypothermia. Canine life jackets can be found from at most boating stores and can easily be found on line. Make sure the jacket fits well and your dog is used to wearing it.

2. Hydration is essential to your dogs health. If you are boating on a fresh water lake it should be easy to keep your dog hydrated. However if the water is not safe to drink or is salt water training your dog to avoid it and providing an alternative source is crucial. Make sure if you are sailing or spending long periods of time on the ocean that you have enough water for both you and your pup.

3. Sanitary waste disposal. Teaching your dog the appropriate places to relieve themselves while boating is an aspect many people forget. Dogs are quick learners and with proper training can help notify you when they need to go or find an appropriate place to go. Make sure to clean up after your dog which goes a long way to keeping shorelines clean from diseases carried by animal waste.

4. Prepare a place on the boat that your dog can claim as their own. The most dangerous aspect of boating with your dog is your dog moving when the boat is in motion. Prepare a place where your dog can safely enjoy boating while the boat is in progress. This will keep your dog safe from falling overboard or some other catastrophe.

5. A Place for Paws dogs absorb heat from their paws and fiberglass boats or docks can get very hot. Make sure you have a place where your dog can keep their feet cool and free from burns while out. Most carpeted decks are insulated enough for paws. Pay attention to your dogs paws during a boating trip especially if you are out for multiple days as they can be damaged and become raw from prolonged heat.

Toys

Take a few toys that work well in water so that you can enjoy time in the water with your dog. If you have a dog that loves to fetch bring along a great floating dog toy which will provide hours of fun for both you and your dog. Some dogs love to lounge in the water and there are all kinds of flotation devices and toys designed specially for dogs.

Have Fun

While it is very important to make the proper plans, make sure to enjoy your time with your dog. Dogs are incredible and reading human emotion and if you are not having a good time because you did not take the steps needed to plan for your dog they will notice. Make the experience one that your dog is looking forward to at all times. When the boat is in the driveway your dog should be anxious to hit the water.

Do you love to boat with your dog? What are some of the things you do to make the experience great?

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The very first time you bring your dog home is such a fun and unforgettable experience. Bringing home my Labrador was so fun, she sat on my lap the entire way home and it was an incredible bonding experience for us. It was an incredible time however I quickly learned that I should have done several things before bringing a new dog home.

1. Get the Food Before Hand: We had been looking for the right dog for a few months and decided to get Molly the very last minute. We had not purchased food yet so we had to make a quick run to the store. I was in a hurry to fill up the container with the new food and ended up dumping it all over the floor.

2. Animal Safe Carpet Cleaner: We went through carpet cleaner like mad at first. We let her sleep in the laundry room which had hard floors but where were easy to clean. But when she roamed the house and had accidents we needed a good cleaner. Make sure it is animal safe so that you do not end up poisoning your pup after after cleaning up after it.

3. Animal Proof Hazardous Materials: Dogs love to explore, they will spend as much time sniffing out the dangerous chemicals in your house and do their best to get in them. Be especially careful with antifreeze as it is sweet tasting and has killed far to many dogs from licking it up in the garage. In fact I would suggest keeping your dog out of the Garage unless you have taken care to really put away all dangerous materials. Tool like lawn mowers and weed-eaters can leak gas or oil which is very harmful for a dog.

4. Create a Play Area: Dogs need to play and expend energy. However it can be very difficult for dogs to know where to play and where to be calm. If you setup an area for playing your dog will learn that when they are not in the play area they need to be calm. Utilize a room in your home that has tile or other easy to clean floor as it will take time for your dog to become house trained. Once trained this room will make for an easy area to keep clean and be a great place for your dog to spend its’ nights.

5. Chew Toys: Dogs need to learn quickly what they can chew and what they can’t. Utilizing chew toys and Play Areas you can quickly teach your dog what is and isn’t okay to chew on in the house. This is essential to your dogs safety. Many household items have chemicals and other hazardous materials that are harmful for dogs. electrical wires are especially dangerous for small dogs in the chewing phase. Remove all cord from the Play Area so that your dog does not pick up the bad habit of chewing on them.

No matter how prepared you think you are your adorable pup will get into stuff. This is just one of the many facts of life a dog owner has too get used to. Preparing your house for a new dog can be a very fun and special time as you get ready to invite a new family member into your life. Last but not least eliminate activities that will interfere with spending time with your dog. Dogs are social animals and need to spend time with you to be fully happy. Make sure you have set aside enough time to properly train, interact and socialize with your dog and you will have a lifelong, loyal and obedient friend.

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Dogs can do absolutely amazing things, from sniffing out bombs to helping seizure victims recognize a seizure is about to happen. As a dog lover I love to see dogs doing what they love to do and were bred for. So I found a few amazing clips on YouTube of dogs doing amazing things.

1. Herding: For hundreds of years dogs have helped men raise animals safely giving farmers and ranchers extra advantage when herding animals. When trained a good herding dog can keep dozens of animals moving in the right direction. Herding dogs are still used regularly on cattle farms around the world. Checkout these amazing dogs demonstrate their ability to identify the male sheep in the herd separate them and herd back to safety and much more.

2. Sniffing: Criminals often use secret compartments or locked areas to hide drugs. Dogs of all breeds have been trained to identify a host of illegal substances with their incredible ability to smell. You can see Jetta a black Labrador in action. She is so well trained to knows whether or not she is supposed to follow based on which foot her owner uses to take his first step forward.

3. Service Dogs: With the number of people with lifelong disabilities increasing, dogs have come to the rescue doing what we would consider the most mundane of tasks on a regular basis but are a huge blessing to those with disabilities. There are a few videos in this section because I really feel these dogs deserve as much recognition as we can give them.

Diabetes: These dogs can detect the blood sugar level of their owners and warn them if it is getting to high. This is especially crucial for kids and teens who do not keep as good of track of their levels while they are out playing and more.

The reason we all love dogs so much is the fact that they can give so much of themselves to make our lives better. They get immense amounts of enjoyment by doing so. What are some of the incredible things that you have seen dogs do, please share in the comments!

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But where do you begin, what qualifies a name as good, unique or special. Here are key elements to consider.

Where Do You Live

The language you speak and the country you live in has not only a cultural impact on the name you choose but dogs recognize tones when learning commands and accents and pronunciation can change how well your dog understands is name, for example.

In Germany the 4 most popular K9 names are:

1.Bello
2. Hasso
3. Ajax
4. Bruno
5.Alder

These names work well because the german language places strong emphasis on the first syllable of a word. Choose a name that fits within the characteristics of your language.

Is Breed Of The Dog
There is no doubt that the breed of a dog has alot to do with why we chose it. With this in mind consider a name that fits the build and temperament of your pup. Names that may seem clever can often cause other people to mock or miss treat a dog hurting it’s confidence.

Imagine this pup being named tiny or princess. She would be mocked by everyone you introduced her to. Rather Bella, Lexus or Ash are a much better fit.

Avoid names that have sentimental as, like naming them after a childhood pet. Let your new pup build it’s own legacy in your heart.

Get to know their personality before naming them. Dogs individual personality is one of the main reasons we grow so attached to them. Spend a few days getting to know them. Try calling them a few different things to see what fits.

While this doberman may look ferocious you and I both know she is probably an angel a dignified name that fits the doberman breeds heritage would make her feel loved. For example Dutchess or Sky are both unique beautiful names that she would be honored to have.

No matter what name you choose make it special and memorable.

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My labrador Molly gets that innocent look on her face and tries to lean against you when she knows she has made a mistake , it is cute and a good learning experience for both of us. What does your dog do when he/she knows she is busted?

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