Comments on: I Need Your Advice For My Timid Dog

By: Elaine

Elaine — Tue, 28 Oct 2014 14:12:11 +0000

I remember you saying that Honey doesn’t like to swim, but I’m wondering if it might be worth trying to find any new ways of helping her learn to swim or get more comfortable with being in the water. I can’t wait to read about your new sailboat adventures next year!

By: Lauranne

Lauranne — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 11:03:41 +0000

My intial thought is potentially falling into the sea in the first place is going to be a high stress moment. It is unexpected, new, scary (maybe) and so to then have something go off and make a strange noise and expand is only going to make it more scary, is it not? I would be tempted to get it now and start working on desensitising Honey to the noise, the feel and the inflation.

By: Beth | Daily Dog Tag

Beth | Daily Dog Tag — Mon, 27 Oct 2014 02:24:44 +0000

I think I would buy it for peace of mind, but I wouldn’t attempt to sensitize her to it. IF she ever sets it off, I think she’ll be so busy processing everything that the noise won’t be such a big issue.

By: Greyhounds CAN Sit

Greyhounds CAN Sit — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 21:42:12 +0000

Hmm, this is a tricky one. You’ve had heaps of great suggestions. The inflatable life jacket doesn’t look very bulky when it’s not inflated. I’d definitely be inclined to get one for her. As for whether to desensitise her or not, that’s the tricky bit. I’m lazy and wouldn’t. Knowing she doesn’t like the water she would probably have more things to think about than that yellow thing that’s just appeared all around her. How well can she swim? I would invest more time making sure she is very comfortable swimming in as many places and conditions as possible then desensitising her to the lifejacket. Here’s hoping it never gets used!

By: Misaki

Misaki — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 20:16:32 +0000

Sorry I don’t have much advice. Maybe just try to practice inflating it a few times without her wearing it and seeing how she reacts?

By: houndstooth

houndstooth — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 19:17:31 +0000

I would say that’s it’s worth the risk. The chances of her needing it are slim, so the fear factor isn’t a huge risk. Odds are high that she’ll never have it inflate while she’s wearing it, and if the need arose I think that all the things going on around her might make that less noticeable. After all, there’s going to be a big splash and disorientation that comes along with falling overboard. My guess is that her survival instincts would override the startle instinct that happens when it inflates.

If you really feel that you need to practice with the noise, my guess is that there are other inflatable things that you could set off so she could hear the sound without it being right there next to her body. My guess is that if she got to observe it from a close distance and got some positive rewards while it was happening, she wouldn’t be too upset. That’s just my thinking on the subject.

By: Sage

Sage — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 16:54:06 +0000

I know Sage would totally freak out if one was just put on her and it suddenly inflated. But, like Taryn said above, it should only happen if Honey fell in and then you want the protection.

By: Jody - Where The Coconuts Grow

Jody - Where The Coconuts Grow — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 02:08:29 +0000

Hi Pamela! Here's my thoughts on the situation: http://www.wherethecoconutsgrow.com/2014/04/keeping-our-dogs-safe-at-sea-outward-hound-life-jackets/ I did this review back when we were researching lifejackets, and ultimately it comes down to the areas you'll be cruising in regards to temperature, whether or not you will be going off shore or staying coastal, and the functionality of the straps. I found the following when looking at the Critter's Inflatable lifejackets: Pros: Suburb breathability, buoyancy and range of motion, automatic CO2 inflation when submerged in water, front float for head support, adjustable size S, M and L (from 6-200lbs) Cons: Expensive $70, Automatic inflation could accidentally be triggered in damp or flooded wet lockers, support straps have no chafe protection That said, I chose Kyjen's Outward Hound life jackets for our Weimaraner and Boxer/Pit mix. Check out the link for all the details about why we chose that one. At the end of the day, only you will know which kind you are more comfortable with. I will say that our dogs do patrols regularly around the deck at anchor, even when its rolly, and we haven't had a problem yet. As long as Honey can swim, it will be okay :) Our dogs only wear the life jackets in rough seas or at night on passages. Day sails, we don't worry about it, and definitely not at anchor. Regarding Grenada - it's HOT! We don't care to wear more than a bathing suit and our dogs don't want to wear anything either :) I do keep a harness on Gunner at all times though as he is almost 14 and we need the support for helping him around the boat. It's the only way to get him out of the water at 75 lbs. It's important to have a life jacket on board for your pup, but don't stress too much about which one you choose. She won't be wearing it very often.

By: Jen

Jen — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 23:35:24 +0000

Oh God, Rusty there looks like it scares the bejeezus out of him when it inflates! Poor guy. But yes, as you say, he seems like a confident dog and though they do a cut in the video so you don’t really know how much time has elapsed, he’s back in the water after some investigation.

I’m not well versed in the doggie life vest industry, so have no input regarding the range of life vest styles which may or may not available. I’d say depending on cost, using one like that might still be a good plan. As Leslie said, there might be enough environmental stuff going on should Honey go overboard that the vest is just one more thing, and not necessarily isolated stimulus.

By: Taryn

Taryn — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 22:11:32 +0000

If this is only ever going to be used for a true emergency, I don’t think that “one time” inflation is going to make any difference. It’s going to inflate and she’s going to be like Shit!!! twice. Once for hitting the water and two for the inflation. It looks like it is so stable, it won’t matter if she freaks out. I can’t see using that as the everyday life jacket. Out in the ocean, yes, but at anchor in a cove somewhere it is overkill. She will acclimate to the warmer climate and be able to wear the normal vest. She’s going to have to learn to get wet for cooling purposes.

While we all where life jackets on the jetski (for the humans it is the law and a must to avoid a ticket and just plain good common sense), when I used to sail on the Chesapeake Bay, no one ever wore vests, even when racing, and we were all hiking out to balance the sails. The bay isn’t the ocean, but you do get where you can’t see land. I never even thought about vests. I actually think there is more risk when everyone rafts up at night and the drinking starts. Stepping across 6 boats to get back to your own can be quite treacherous!