We are lucky here in Australia with most marinas along the East Coast welcoming our furry four-legged crew members.
In our travels I have been impressed with the care dog owners take but occasionally someone chooses to relax the rules and it can be these people who spoil it for the rest of us.
So, let’s have a quick look at how we dog owners can do our best to ensure dogs on boats continue to maintain a flawless reputation.
#1 CARRY POO BAGS AND USE THEM
As a dog owner, poo bags are an essential item. When you buy food, treats and toys, pop a couple of poo bags into the shopping trolley as well.
I am really surprised by how many people don’t carry them or they expect council to have bags on every corner. The way I think of it, is that parents clean up after their babies and always have fresh diapers. As dog parents, we simply replace the diaper with poo bags.
Undoubtedly, it’s a horrible chore and none of us enjoy doing it, but there is absolutely no excuse for leaving your dogs business in publicly shared places. Faeces may carry disease and parasites so please pick it up and drop it in a bin.
When you choose to have a dog, you choose to pick up their poo too.
#2 KEEP YOUR DOG ON A LEAD
‘Oh, but he’s friendly,’ I hear Rufus’s mum say.
It’s hard for a dog lover to believe that not everyone likes dogs, especially when they come bounding up and entering someone’s personal space who has a fear of them, adults and children alike. They don’t hear your words about how friendly your dog is and nor should they have to.
I doggy-sit the most gorgeous girl dog who is so playful but around kids and small dogs she just doesn’t know her strength, and play can quickly turn into terror.
It is also challenging when your dog is on a lead and someone else thinks their dog doesn’t have to be. In doggie world, this sets up a hierarchical imbalance which dogs are known to be sensitive to. If some argie-bargie begins between the dogs, how on earth is someone going to restrain the one who isn’t on a lead?
I have also seen dogs who aren’t on a lead, go to the toilet ahead of their owner who walks in a world of daydreams, or pretends not to notice. Our beautiful country is full of spaces where dogs are allowed off leash. Please use those designated areas for off-leash fun.
If you still feel that it’s ok for your dog to be off the leash wherever you choose, the least you can do is pop them on the lead as soon as you see someone approach in the distance and thank the ranger when he books you.
#3 DON’T LEAVE YOUR DOG ALONE BARKING ON YOUR BOAT
It doesn’t happen often but on the odd occasion a dog will be left alone on the boat and they will voice their dissatisfaction by barking constantly. You’ll have no idea, but your boatie neighbours will.
Boating is about getting away from the suburban idiocracy to enjoy peaceful, carefree anchorages. No one wants to hear a dog barking for hours on end. The best way to avoid these problems is to take your dog with you if you go exploring or let them enjoy the company at sundowners too. If you are in restricted areas, invite boaties aboard your vessel.
FOR THE DOGGY BAG
I may appear to be a stickler for doing the right thing. To say the least, I am passionate about respecting rules around our canine friends for good reasons. When we break the rules, we develop a bad reputation within our community and this can lead to further restrictions. I’d much rather show that we can do the right thing with an opportunity to have more freedom in the future.
Our marinas and local communities kindly open their hearts to our canine family. Let’s do the right thing and respect their generosity.
Fair winds and doggie love.
Tanya
