advice about a dog

[RW-007]

Hey fellas, I'm a new one my first post here. I've been reading the forums for a couple months now and gathered some valuable info from all of you. I've had my boat for a few months now (05 Key West 186 bay reef 115 yammi 2 stroke) next time I take it out I want to take my lab w/ me. She's 2 years old and well behaved, but wondered if anyone took their dogs out regularly that might have some advice. If theres anything I should do the first time out w/ her to break her in or just leave her at home and forget the idea. I think she'd be a great fishin partner. Any advice is appreciated.

[Sir reel]

The only thing I make sure of is to have a jug of fresh water and a bowl for it. Most dogs are naturals. Just approach it like it's a normal experience for both of you and everything should be fine. Don't jump in and pull the ears back on the engine and start raw hid'n across the water or do anything to the extreeme.

[SHOWBOAT]

Welcome RW.

I take my almost 2 year lab all the time. He is great fun to have on a boat now...though there were instances in his first year where I wondered whether I should take hiim anymore (like the day my 2500 stradic and AllStar rod were lost).

I had to be careful with Boo jumping in where I was scared might below, but he appears to over that now. He used to go crazy whenever a fish would hit the surface. If you're going to take a dog, make sure any plugs are put away (or that the dog has a healthy respect for their danagers), take plenty of water and some shade (I take a golf umbrella and put it in a rod holder).

The dog will love it. I often take Boo into 12-16" of water on clear flats and throw a tennis ball to wear him out so I can fish the rest of the day.

Good luck

[cmccord]

Amen to the tennis ball. I have a 12 y/o chocolate who has been accompnaying me on the boat on inshore trips and play trips on local rivers for his entire life. I don't often take him on a long offshore trip because that can be pretty difficult. He, like most labs, was a natural from the get-go. No problems at all. Now he mopes any time he gets left behind. You do have to be very considerate about leaving open hooks around though. They have a tendency to hang near eye-level and that could be a major catasrophe. Enjoy the memories you'll get to be making, they last forever.

[whitebc]

Exactly what they ^ said!! My 2yr old lab goes with me on the boat all the time. You are right about the best fishing partner (he wont rat ya out when you try to tell about the "big one" getting away!)

[Reel Cowboy]

My wife take her lab from time to time and he has always been pretty good about it. Just make sure you put up your plugs, have some fresh water and shade. The only thing Vegas isn't fond of is when Christy is in the water and that kinda freaks him out. Her dog not mine.

[Jumptrout51]

Some of the best memories I have of my dog come from fishing. She always knew when we were going fishing. No matter what time I set the clock for she would nudge me about 5 minutes before the alarm went off.
From the time I got up she would stay right by the door so I could not get out without her.
Take your dog fishing.

[Flint River Pirate]

I wish I could take mine. I have 2 Springer Spaniels and I can keep them out of the water. They both jump in as soon as I let go of their collar. They also drink water the whole time they swim and I am afraid that salt water would make them sick. They are my buddies though! **By the way, welcome to the forum!**

[birddog]

Its hard not to like a dog that'll eat watermelon.

[snatch-n-reel]

Its hard not to like a dog that'll eat watermelon.

[Fish Masterson]

Amen to keeping them plugs up high. Make sure you caution all of your passengers about this. I had a fellow forum member aboard my vessel one time that was accustomed to hooking his plugs onto a bar on the reel. Next thing I know, I hear a commotion, and see drag peeling off of a calcutta sitting in the rod holder. I see my girl running to the bow of the boat, and I started hollering for her to be still. Luckily I have a fairly well behaved dog, and she listened to me, but not before trying to scratch the Zara Spook out of her eyebrow with her paw, and getting it connected to her head. After she did that, luckily, she did quiit struggling, and I was able to get to her before it got any worse. Somehow, by the grace of God, the barbs never sank, and I was able to pop the plug out easily, but it sure looked like it was going to be an awfull experience. Other than that, I have had a few times, when she was young, that she bailed of the boat after my plug, but she learned quickly, that it was not easy to get back on the boat, so I don,t have any problems with her anymore. Just be patient, and they will turn out to be great fishing partners.

[rocket]

Amen to keeping them plugs up high. Make sure you caution all of your passengers about this. I had a fellow forum member aboard my vessel one time that was accustomed to hooking his plugs onto a bar on the reel. Next thing I know, I hear a commotion, and see drag peeling off of a calcutta sitting in the rod holder. I see my girl running to the bow of the boat, and I started hollering for her to be still. Luckily I have a fairly well behaved dog, and she listened to me, but not before trying to scratch the Zara Spook out of her eyebrow with her paw, and getting it connected to her head. After she did that, luckily, she did quiit struggling, and I was able to get to her before it got any worse. Somehow, by the grace of God, the barbs never sank, and I was able to pop the plug out easily, but it sure looked like it was going to be an awfull experience. Other than that, I have had a few times, when she was young, that she bailed of the boat after my plug, but she learned quickly, that it was not easy to get back on the boat, so I don,t have any problems with her anymore. Just be patient, and they will turn out to be great fishing partners.

dem spooks is good lab catchers!

[rocket]

Exactly what they ^ said!! My 2yr old lab goes with me on the boat all the time. You are right about the best fishing partner (he wont rat ya out when you try to tell about the "big one" getting away!)

You put that mammoth on the boat with you??? He must take up half the boat!

[Fish Masterson]

test please delete

[Fish Masterson]

Amen to keeping them plugs up high. Make sure you caution all of your passengers about this. I had a fellow forum member aboard my vessel one time that was accustomed to hooking his plugs onto a bar on the reel. Next thing I know, I hear a commotion, and see drag peeling off of a calcutta sitting in the rod holder. I see my girl running to the bow of the boat, and I started hollering for her to be still. Luckily I have a fairly well behaved dog, and she listened to me, but not before trying to scratch the Zara Spook out of her eyebrow with her paw, and getting it connected to her head. After she did that, luckily, she did quiit struggling, and I was able to get to her before it got any worse. Somehow, by the grace of God, the barbs never sank, and I was able to pop the plug out easily, but it sure looked like it was going to be an awfull experience. Other than that, I have had a few times, when she was young, that she bailed of the boat after my plug, but she learned quickly, that it was not easy to get back on the boat, so I don,t have any problems with her anymore. Just be patient, and they will turn out to be great fishing partners.

dem spooks is good lab catchers!

you ought to know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!