The slapping water against the hull of your boat, as you rock back and forth in the bay, lulls your mind to a quiet, peaceful place. You’ve anchored down for the night, the kids are all snuggled safely in their bunks and your spouse is snoring softly beside you. Your mind drifts off with dreams of the big fish you and the kids will be catching come sunrise, the way the salt air will stimulate your senses and renew your love for the outdoors. You doze off peacefully…suddenly, you hear a small, insistent whine somewhere off the starboard side of your bunk. “What is it, Boy? Did Timmy fall down the well?” you ask in a dream-like state. That whine is replaced by a more insistent cold, wet pointy object now jabbing at your shoulder. Somewhere between Dreamland and Reality, you realize your son’s name isn’t Timmy and you don’t have a well. “Uh-Mmmm,” you mutter, “Is someone breaking into the house?” Determined to rouse you, your faithful friend emits a sharp and urgent, “Rarrff!” and jumping up, lands two paws and 20 pounds right in the middle of your abdomen.

Your dog, glad to see you finally getting up, rushes towards the cockpit door with a pleading whine. Your dog is urgently scratching at the door and pleading with you to get him outside – NOW! All at once, you realize, Rover is not hearing the sounds of Pirates capturing your ship, but immediately needs to answer the Call of Nature before he leaves you presents on the beautiful carpeting within your yacht. There is only one problem… it is 3:00 AM, pitch dark outside and you’re anchored out in a secluded cove too far from shore to easily get him there in time.

So what do you do when Nature Calls and your dog must go and you can’t get him or her to shore? The above example is just one scenario of many when boaters find themselves with no available land for Rover to use. Is it necessary for all dogs to have an emergency relief place to go? Although you think now it may rarely if never get used, your pup’s peace of mind and your own will be rewarded should the need arise.

There are great solutions available and training your dog to be comfortable using them is neither hard nor time consuming. Consideration to the size of your dogs, the size and style of your boat and your current House Trained system should all be taken into account when selecting which method is best for you. Basically, we are talking about training your dog to eliminate on a predetermined place that will be comfortable for him, sanitary and convenient for you, and easy to stow on your boat. I will refer to it as “The Spot”.

With many Condo-dwelling smaller dogs now being litter-box trained to go inside at home, you may wish to carry that same method onto your boat. As utilization of space is important on every boat you may want a smaller box on your vessel than at home. If your dog is trained to go on disposable pads without a box, I highly recommend that you add in the use of a box and line it with disposable pads. This is for protection of your floor. One leaking pad can leave a calling card for dogs that says, “Go Here!” and can lead to unwanted spots by your dog or visiting pooches when pads are not in place. I highly discourage kitty litter for use with dogs. Among many things, kitty litter would likely become a sandbox for your pup, get tipped over, get ingested or simply be messy. When purchasing your litter box please consider that the edge height should be low and easy for your dog to climb over during all stages of life, including those precious senior years. A three inch lip is much higher for a Maltese than it is for a Westie! Get your box well in advance and use it at home, training your dog so she’s comfortable with it before you ask her to use it onboard. How long in advance your particular dog will take to acclimate to the new box is entirely up to your dog, so plan ahead and don’t rush them. See below for more information on training to use The Spot.

If you have a dog that is trained to go potty outside only, there are many options for you to choose from when deciding what to do onboard.

My preferred option for giving your pup a place to go that will seem natural and meet your sanitation needs is the Pup HeadTM by Pup Gear, available at www.YachtDogs.org. The Pup Head is lightweight, nearly level with the ground, has a special odor-fighting design and antimicrobial agents. Their unique doggie grass will allow your pup to feel right at home when he needs to go. And best of all, its unique drainage system means you won’t worry about paws tracking waste around after business is finished. It is also easy to clean and store.

Before the Pup Head came along, I often worked with clients to train their dogs to go on a piece of outdoor carpeting or astroturf that could then be hosed off with your transom shower. You can have it cut to an appropriate size for your swim step, then replace it when you feel it needs to go.

So, once you’ve picked your method, you need to do practical application… (Pardon the pun.)

I highly, recommend getting your dog acclimated to eliminating in or on The Spot before expecting them to use it in a foreign place such as the gently rocking transom or bow of your boat. When choosing the Pup Head, you get the added bonus of a specially designed scent your dog detects that tells him, “This is the right place to go.” To dogs, their noses are their number one communicator and getting scent onto The Spot will greatly speed up their lure to use it.

Take The Spot out to wherever your dog is comfortably eliminating now. Take your dog out on leash. Leave “The Spot” out so he gets used to seeing and being next to when he goes. Encourage, but do not force, him to check it out. Some dogs, particularly males and dominate dogs, will mark it immediately. Great! That doesn’t mean your job is done, or that he’ll be comfortable using it out on your boat. Every time he goes out to go potty, take him out on leash to or next to The Spot. Encourage him with a soft, confident praise voice to use it. Reward with praise and if you like to use treats, offer treats as soon as the dog is done going potty on The Spot, do not wait until you go back into the house, or the dog will associate the treat with going inside, not with using The Spot.

If your dog shows fear of The Spot, is avoiding or running from it, bait him onto it with extra special treats such as Natural Balance Food Rolls, cheese, hot dogs, etc, and play games where he runs over it with you, or chases his favorite toy over it and near it until he no longer is afraid of it before beginning potty training on it.

It is normal for your dog to NOT want to go on The Spot, but when he realizes that it pleases you, he will become comfortable with it. When he is comfortable using it, begin using it only intermittently; you do not want your dog to become dependent on it, unless of course, you are litter box training and plan to use just one box.

Next, take The Spot and your pup down to your boat. Choose a calm day. Get your dog used to seeing it on your transom or wherever you will be having him use it. If your dog will, have him use it. It is much better to do this at port now, than wait to see if he’s ready before you go on a cruise. Many dogs take to this very quickly, but some dogs will take longer to acclimate to the idea.

Please never allow your dogs onto your transom or swim platform when under way or when your motor is running. Please also remember that dogs need life jackets, too! Even the best swimmers can’t swim when unconscious, injured or across an ocean.

Happy Boating!

Gayle

Gayle Ballinger began dog training professionally in 1997 and now owns and operates Pawsitive Steps Dog Training of Seattle, WA www.PawsitiveStepsSeattle.com. Gayle is currently serving as Vice Commodore of the Yacht Dogs Yacht Club, www.YachtDogs.org a fun and friendly club for Dogs and their People who love to Boat while helping dogs in need!