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Maybe its a Generation X or Millennial thing, but suddenly it seems that every dog (including water breeds!) that I see in a boat, canoe or kayak is wearing a doggy personal flotation device.
Did I miss the memo? Did Trudeau pass a law for our own good and the good of our dogs?
Nope! Pet lovers like to protect their pals. When retrievers don't have to work so hard,they're the same as people,they can last longer on the water or in the field. Work smarter,not harder.Quote:
Originally Posted by ninepointer
My Shepard mix has a tendency to fall out of the boat when he's not paying attention (standing on the bow) he hates water and swimming so he panics when he hits the water and becomes frantic. Without a life jacket with a handle I'd have a hell of a time getting him back in the boat.
Im not sure everyone is using them with the same logic in mind though. More of a fashion statement.
My boy pretty much wore one when hunting late season and the last few years he wore it whenever we were out hunting. Much easier to get him in the boat and they add a lot of warmth in the late season, which is why I didn't put it on him in the early season when he was young. Never wore one when out fishing.
Yep, and I bet their owners are not wearing one!!! Go figure !!Quote:
Originally Posted by ninepointer
My Britt swims like an Otter and has fallen overboard a couple times. He now wears a jacket because of the handle on the back of it. You literally have to near choke them if trying to haul them up out of the water by the collar.
With the vest you yank them up and out no problem.
Those PFD,s also make it more comfortable for your pets, as they do not have to overexert themselves while swimming , and also help in keeping them warm, dogs can and do suffer from hypothermia just the same as humans, unfortunately few people have found this out too late and have shortened their pets lives.Quote:
Originally Posted by ninepointer
They also help in preventing injuries from unseen obstacles that your dog may swim into while in the water.
Not all dogs are good swimmers, while some swim very easily and are comfortable while doing so, others although they are swimming, are actually struggling and overexerting themselves.
I consider myself a fairly good swimmer. I still wear a life jacket out on the boat. The thing about accidents is they aren't very predictable...
I was a triathlete under conservative governments and wore pfd's and inflatable life jackets.
X2. I do 85% of my fishing alone. I'm never without wearing a PFD. I also use a tether extension on the motor so I can move around the boat without unhooking.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cass