tophatyachts.com

Hi all,

I have a new puppy, 3 months old now and his maiden sail will be on Saturday.

I have sailed with dogs before but always with at least one other person on board whilst they were learning what to do.

Any ideas on how to control a puppy when solo?

I am thinking the first trip should be a motor so he gets used to the movement and I also can grab him if something goes amis.

Hello Diana

ARRRRR Tie it to the mast !!

Cheers Bear

So you are really Captain Bligh???

Hi Diana,
Ease him into it!
May take a couple of sessions before you can let him pull the anchor up by himself.
What is he?
Those PFD's for dogs are terrific i reckon, gives you somewhere to grab him, if he decides to walk to land.
cheers
shaun

Hi Diana

Could have some fun with this topic ? Well I will !What sort of mut pedigree is it ??

Cheers Bear

our chihuahua Mojo regularly comes sailing on Auriga

We have a Pfd for her which gives peice of mind, remember that if you're sailing you're not going to be able to stop in a hurry if the dog goes over the side!

A lanyard to a hard point is also a good idea and saves the hassle.

If you're in north/middle harbour, keep in mind that a puppy on the foredeck of a yacht is an easy meal for a hungry sea eagle!!

The noise of the outboard will likely scare the puppy a fair bit (does ours)

cheers
dan

G'Day Dianna,
I knew a bloke in Pt Hacking that said when he took his dog to sea, think it was a Blue Cattle dog, it was alright until it got out of the sight and smell of land whereupon it would lay on the cabin sole and let go from both ends creating an awful mess, much like my wife when we went to Gt Keppel.
Greg.

Hello


ARRRRRRRRRRRRR Leave him tied to the mast

BEAR

Dianna, I raced with a bloke that had a Hunter 54 "Chasseur" and he had 2 Border Collies. When he tacked they had trouble getting a grip on the deck and all you could hear was the nails scratching the deck trying to get a grip. Quite funny really, but then again we used to laugh at our dog (a Labbie) running through the kitchen with feet going in all directions.
Both the above had trouble making the dog "Go" on the boat.They usually had to take a "run ashore" every morning.

Thank you all.
His maiden voyage is tomorrow.
He is a Kelpie Cross. RSPCA special.
Now 3 months old.

I will have to look up how to post a photo.

RSPCA called him Carbo. Named after the Packed to the Rafters charachter, a handsome young man who seems to always get himself into trouble. Appropriate I thought.

I have added MR So 'MR CARBO!!!! FRONT AND CENTRE!!!"