Dogs and boating... how to get em started?

[akblair]

I have 2 labs and I take them on most trips except for Westwater +. They run along shoshone etc. If its possible that I might swim, I want to watch out for me and not be responsible or have others be responsible for my girls.

They do whine which is a pain in the neck but I find it is because they would rather swim.

On great warm days, that is great but can be a huge nuisance if the weather is not good. Splashing in and out in and out with the HANDLE pfd's of course. I tend to play it by ear depending on the trip.

It's always a gamble but it is great having them enjoy the days with you!

[Loaner]

My dog loves to swim, you can't keep her out of the water. We got her a PFD last year and she goes nuts when I get it out.

She does not like to be in a boat however. She'll ride around the lake with me in my canoe, but she's always looking to jump out. I wouldn't recommend much of a trip with your dog until you know for sure how it will react-it could really ruin your day if they hate it, as we found out.

We took her down what was supposed to be a short, see how she does, normally class I/II river, though it was a remote canyon. Turned out spring run off made at least one rapid a class III. She went to jump out, right in the middle of it and my natural instinct was to stop her with my paddle. I was stern, so obviously this was a bad mistake. Not only did she jump out, but we flipped. We didn't have floatation like dummies, so I tried to save my canoe. Got pretty cut up, (got stitches later in the day), but got the canoe. Of course it was smashed to bits after I finally pulled it out, lol. Then we had to hike out of this canyon. It was not fun!

She has to wait at camp now!

[mallecai]

I'm thinking about getting a dog, and would want one that would enjoys water and could be taken on a raft or open boat. I know that labs are water-friendly. Would anyone recommend any other breeds? Or even characteristics, because I don't really care if the dog is purebred.

Chris