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Safety Tips for Boating with Your Pet

July 30, 2015 by Mary Telesz

Paw-Pals-PFDOur furry companions make outdoor adventures so much more fun. When it comes to taking your dog on a boat are you aware and prepared for the risks? Before even you get on the water, and while you are out bobbing over waves and soaking up the sun, consider this compilation of safety tips for boating with your dog.

Before the Boat Ride:

1. Doggy swimming lessons: Make sure your dog can swim and is comfortable doing so in a PFD-Personal Flotation Device/Pet Life Vest.

2. Pack an emergency kit: This should include a fully stocked safety kit, flares, medications that your dog may be on, a Pet ID card and vaccination record in a waterproof container.

Paw-Pals-Practice-Dog-Rescue

3. Pet life jacket: Make sure your pet’s life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) is the proper size and fit for your dog, and that it meets all specifications and properly functions.

4. Check the law: It is important to know the laws about dogs on boats. You don’t want to ruin an outing with a ticket.

5. Familiarize your dog with the boat: Your dog’s first trip to the boat should be when it is still tethered to the dock. This is so he can explore safely and become familiar with all aspects of the boat; for example, where the bow is, the cabin and the engine. Make sure to provide a ramp for your dog to get on and off the boat safely and easily.

6. Develop a plan should your dog go overboard: You can practice this by putting your dog in the water (with his PFD of course) and letting him swim away from the boat. Cut the engine, go to your pre-designated part of the boat and call to your dog. Pet life vests have handles to allow for you to easily haul your dog from the water.

Now that you are well prepared for your boating trip, here are some additional tips you’ll need when you’re out on the water.

During the Boat Ride:

1. Keep the first trip short: A dog unfamiliar with boating should have a short first trip. This will allow him to get acclimated to his surroundings and acquire his doggy sea legs.

Paw-Pals-Boat-Safety2. Provide plenty of water: It is important that your dog stays hydrated. Dogs can easily overheat on a boat and it is important they have constant access to fresh water. Also, provide them with shade so that they can escape the sun to cool down.

3. Sun protection: Dog skin is very sensitive. It is important to protect your pet with dog-safe sunscreen. Don’t forget to reapply on longer outings.

4. Potty breaks: Make sure to allot for potty breaks. Plan your trip and schedule stops where your dog can relieve itself.

With these tips you will have a fun and enjoyable boating trip with your four-legged friend. Continue on with your adventures and stay safe! #boatingsafety #seadog #pawpalspetsitting

Filed Under: Pet Safety

Contact Paw Pals for More Information

Paw Pals specializes in professional dog walking, dog sitting, and pet sitting services. One of our reliable, adult staff members will keep your pet safe, while providing your pet the love and care they need when you are away. Contact us to learn more!

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Office Location

Paw Pals Pet Sitting, LLC
14001-C Saint Germain Drive #213
Centreville, VA 20121
(703) 345-1695

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Office Hours

Monday
9am - 5pm
Tuesday
9am - 5pm
Wednesday
9am - 5pm
Thursday
9am - 5pm
Friday
9am - 5pm
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Areas Served

Centreville – 20120, 20121
Chantilly – 20151
Clifton – 20124
Fairfax – 22030, 22033
Fairfax Station – 22039
Manassas – 20109, 20110, 20111
Reston – 20191, 20190

Google Rating
5.0
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
5.0
Andrea Hall
Andrea Hall
22:45 03 Oct 20
I wasn't sure about hiring a new doggie walker service... after all they are our kiddos... my babies were in great hands and I felt relaxed having them in their care. Thank you for everything!
Phillip Evans
Phillip Evans
14:38 11 Jul 20
When we adopted our new dog in January, Paw Pals agreed to walk her and give her some outside time so she wasn't in the crate all day. She loved her dog walker and you could see her excitement every time the walker showed up. We moved out of the area but would recommend Paw Pals to anyone needing someone to care for their pets.
Katie Russell
Katie Russell
15:01 17 May 20
Paw Pals is fantastic! I have had a great experience with Mary! Compassionate, professional, responsive, and prompt! Thank you!
Kristin Conrad
Kristin Conrad
16:00 16 Nov 19
We are so grateful we found Mary and her team at Paw Pals. They are exceptionally responsive, amazingly organized and detail-oriented.We have such peace of mind when we travel knowing our home and pets are so well cared for. Paw Pals is the best pet sitting service we’ve used, and we’re so happy we found them.
Dr Tammy Cashion
Dr Tammy Cashion
21:11 12 Mar 19
We have used Paw pals pet sitting on multiple occasions for our bunnies while we are away. Many pet sitters are not interested in small pets however; Mary and her team, are amazing and we trust her implicitly! We are very happy with the outstanding service we have received from her team including texts and photos of our pets when we are out of town. They always go the extra mile and we highly recommend them!
Cindy Welgoss
Cindy Welgoss
13:12 27 Nov 20
We have been using Paw Pals for several years, and through a variety of pets that we have loved. Mary and her team have always been *exceptional* in every way. They are professional, courteous, and truly love our fur family! Mary herself is an organized and stellar administrator of her pet care business, keeping detailed records of our pet’s needs, scheduled pet visits, payments, and balance due easy to keep track of as the pet owner. The pet caretaking team is reliable and trustworthy. When our dogs see any of their Paw Pal friends, they get SO excited to see them! Follow up comments are left via text to keep the pet owner informed of the visit and how the pets are faring. Paw Pals has allowed our family the peace of mind to leave our pets at home, for work, weekend getaways and longer times away when necessary, where they are the most comfortable and familiar. We are grateful to Mary and her team for giving us the ability to enjoy pet ownership without feeling tied down. The responsibility of having pets comes with the need to keep them safe and comfortable at all times, and Mary and her team affords us this when our family has to be away.
Alexandra Hill
Alexandra Hill
22:43 23 May 21
I was a nervous mommy to leave my cats with a sitter service for the first time. Paw Pals went above and beyond to care for my cats and ease a nervous mommy. I already made a reservation to use them again!
Katie McCune
Katie McCune
19:19 15 Jul 21
I honestly cannot recommend Mary and her whole crew enough! We started using Mary originally about 7 years ago to stop by occasionally when our Aussie Lana was younger. Over the next couple years Lana stayed with Mary and her family for a couple weekends when we went on vacation. When we moved to our new house in Manassas, Lana stayed with Sam, who lives in Manassas, overnight for moving day, and did great. Right before the pandemic, we adopted our second Aussie, Goose, and Mary recommended a fantastic trainer for him.We now have weekly walks for the dogs, and they love all of their walkers! Trevor, Paul, Hazel, Sofie, and probably a couple others have helped Goose get used to more people, and have helped my husband and me when our schedules are crazy.Paw Pals is our go-to for any help with our dogs, so I highly recommend them!
Taylor Smith
Taylor Smith
21:22 03 Oct 21
I never worry when Mary and team take care of my dog!
Julie Shildt
Julie Shildt
17:45 14 Nov 21
It has been a pleasure doing business with paw pals. We have used this company for several trips we have taken over the past 6 months. They have been wonderful caretakers for our 2 cats. Anytime there is ever a question they don't hesitate to give us a call and they leave the best notes and pictures in the emailed report of each visit. We are so glad have found such a great company.
Sebastian Barnes
Sebastian Barnes
01:06 17 Jan 22
I have used Paw Pals for several trips over the last few months, and they have been phenomenal every time! Mary is extremely kind and responsive, and she makes sure that my cat and dog have the care that they need every time I am out of town. All of the pet sitters that I've had have been incredibly sweet to my pets, and they treat them like their own! Will gladly continue using Paw Pals every time I need a sitter.
Lesley Bush
Lesley Bush
13:58 18 Mar 22
We can't rave enough about Paw Pals. They took care of our 18 year old Cat and 20 year old Chinchilla while we were away and when our flight got cancelled, they were so accommodating and available last minute for an extra day. We worked with Jen to coordinate visits from Miko and Danny. I loved the pictures and updates on how our Lil geriatric guys were doing. Thanks a million, Paw Pals!! Our special pets were so well cared for.
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