[Groove's in Heart]

Hey all, planning for the lake this summer! My friend's healthy 9 year old black lab, a very good swimmer, will be joining us. In your opinion, is a dog lifejacket necessary? We'll be speed boating, not sailing. I want him to be safe with us!

[cigwyllt]

I wouldn't have thought a lifejacket was necessary - is he fit and healthy? Does he enjoy the water? My inlaws have a canal boat and their dog has never used a lifejacket, not have ours when we have spent time with them. If you were at sea it might be different but I would have thought a lake would be safe - the greatest danger would be falling out and being hit by a boat rather than not swimming.

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by cigwyllt

I wouldn't have thought a lifejacket was necessary - is he fit and healthy? Does he enjoy the water? My inlaws have a canal boat and their dog has never used a lifejacket, not have ours when we have spent time with them. If you were at sea it might be different but I would have thought a lake would be safe - the greatest danger would be falling out and being hit by a boat rather than not swimming.

its for that last reason that a life jacket would be beneficial. It is brightly lit in color so can be seen by other boaters. The other issue is like humans, no dog can tread water forever and being that this is a speed boat should it fall out at a high rate of speed it can be injured thus may not be able to swim. Just things to think about.

[Lara's mom]

I would absolutely make sure the dog has a life jacket!!!

[Todd]

I would bring one to be safe. Labs are generally very strong swimmers so I wouldn't stress about it but as Yogi said it could help the dog been seen by boaters. How long will the dog be in the water? If he falls in I'm sure he'll be able to swim and get back into the boat just fine but if you're going to have him in the water otherwise it may be a smart decision to saty afloat and to be seen by boaters.

have fun!

[Lara's mom]

Bringing one isn't good enough. The dog needs to wear it. How many people have drowned in a boating accident when the life jackets were brought but, nobody put one on?

[Yogi]

Another consideration is the fact that just because a dog likes water does not necessarily means it knows how to swim. In reality, many dogs do not know how. It is only an assumption that many have that in fact they do when they do not. Granted it is a lab so the assumption that it knows how is though founded is no guarantee. Weighing on the side of caution and having the dog in a life jacket is just common sense.

[Groove's in Heart]

Wow thanks for all the input! Normally Bax (the lab) won't go in the water when we're out; he likes to play around the dock tho. My main concern is him falling in unexpectedly. I think if he's frightened, he could expend too much energy to fast! I suppose this is a better safe than sorry situation!

Does anyone have a lifejacket brand recommendation?

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Groove's in Heart

Wow thanks for all the input! Normally Bax (the lab) won't go in the water when we're out; he likes to play around the dock tho. My main concern is him falling in unexpectedly. I think if he's frightened, he could expend too much energy to fast! I suppose this is a better safe than sorry situation!

Does anyone have a lifejacket brand recommendation?

In that case I would keep it on him. Now that I think of what Yogi said about the high speeds of the speed boat you should have one on him especially while the boat is running.

Not sure about which brand but here are some on ebay;

dog life jacket, Pet Supplies, Sporting Goods. Great deals on eBay!

Originally Posted by Yogi

Another consideration is the fact that just because a dog likes water does not necessarily means it knows how to swim. In reality, many dogs do not know how. It is only an assumption that many have that in fact they do when they do not. Granted it is a lab so the assumption that it knows how is though founded is no guarantee. Weighing on the side of caution and having the dog in a life jacket is just common sense.

The OP said that the dog is a "very good swimmer".

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by Todd

In that case I would keep it on him. Now that I think of what Yogi said about the high speeds of the speed boat you should have one on him especially while the boat is running.

Not sure about which brand but here are some on ebay;

dog life jacket, Pet Supplies, Sporting Goods. Great deals on eBay!



The OP said that the dog is a "very good swimmer".

I was basing this on her last post where she said the dog generally does not go in when they are out but likes to just play around the dock. Based on this where is it that the dog actually goes swimming if just plays around the dock and does not go in the water when they are out which I have to assume is in the boat.

[DoggieVogue]

I would say for the dog's sake, it's better to be safe than sorry. Labs are great swimmers and generally have no problems but as the others mention, you never know if he will fall out and be injured or what else can happen. They have a few great life jackets for dogs on doggievogue.com

[angiesample]

I think if you will be on a boat u should get a life jacket. petsmart had ALL different colors for $35. Not that the color is whats most important.. but still its a nice little extra bonus, i think . Anyways hope u and your dog have fun! I know i cant wait to introduce my dog to water this summer and yes she will be wearing her purple life jacket when we take her on the boat

[Todd]

Originally Posted by angiesample

I think if you will be on a boat u should get a life jacket. petsmart had ALL different colors for $35. Not that the color is whats most important.. but still its a nice little extra bonus, i think . Anyways hope u and your dog have fun! I know i cant wait to introduce my dog to water this summer and yes she will be wearing her purple life jacket when we take her on the boat

Color may actually may be more important than you think for the reasons stated above. A bright neon color is best, like an orange one, so that boats can see the dog...

[Groove's in Heart]

Originally Posted by Yogi

I was basing this on her last post where she said the dog generally does not go in when they are out but likes to just play around the dock. Based on this where is it that the dog actually goes swimming if just plays around the dock and does not go in the water when they are out which I have to assume is in the boat.

Hi there, yes that's what I meant. When we are actually on the boat with Bax, he doesn't go in the water (on purpose). He's in an out of the water by the dock tho.

I saw some seemingly high-zoot ones made by Body Glove, they look snug and comfortable, but I don't know if I need one that expensive.

I'm going to ask have Bax wear one whenever we're in the boat. It seems safest.

Thanks for all the input!

[scrofford]

I think all dogs need life jackets when around a large body of water. Just like humans, they may be strong swimmers but what happens if the dog falls in the water and gets hurt by something?

Many people jump into rivers and lakes in the summer, and many drown. I think it is always a good idea for the dog to WEAR it at all times.

[Yogi]

I agree as noted previously. Currents etc in rivers can effect a dog the same as people and if the water is swift can pull them for miles. In large bodies like Lake Washington, I would never have a dog out without a life jacket of some kind.
Steve, we need to get together. I do know some about the Victorian and would love to see it. You are only a few miles from me. I'm in Lake Stevens. I see also we have a new member using the username jppatches. I don't know how old you are but anyone who grew up in the Seattle area or western Washington generally knows who J.P. is.

[scrofford]

Originally Posted by Yogi

I agree as noted previously. Currents etc in rivers can effect a dog the same as people and if the water is swift can pull them for miles. In large bodies like Lake Washington, I would never have a dog out without a life jacket of some kind.
Steve, we need to get together. I do know some about the Victorian and would love to see it. You are only a few miles from me. I'm in Lake Stevens. I see also we have a new member using the username jppatches. I don't know how old you are but anyone who grew up in the Seattle area or western Washington generally knows who J.P. is.

Hey Yogi we can get together! I also remember J.P. Patches! lol Anyhow I might live a bit closer to you now as we just moved to Marysville. You would love Hercules! He is really an incredible puppy!

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by scrofford

Hey Yogi we can get together! I also remember J.P. Patches! lol Anyhow I might live a bit closer to you now as we just moved to Marysville. You would love Hercules! He is really an incredible puppy!

Hopefully in the next couple of weeks I can get together with you and Hercules. Would love to see him. Have never seen a Victorian in person but did read up on them in the past. These days my dog of choice though varies, is on the smaller side. My last large ones past on a few years back. Thor 170lbs Mal/Wolf and Niki 80lbs Shep/Husky. I eventually will get another Mal/Wolf and maybe a Siberian along with returning to my Aussies which I raised and bred in the late 60's through the 70's. Largest dog these days is Zeke my 40lbs purebred German Pinscher. He is enough of a load for this ole man. He thinks he is a Miniature Pinscher, sort of a play on the "Ugly Dachshund" bit.