I don't want to highjack another post..... How does one train for entry/exit skills for a boat/canoe such that you don't do some late fall swimming? This is a very interesting question to me with what I think has a many methods.
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I don't want to highjack another post..... How does one train for entry/exit skills for a boat/canoe such that you don't do some late fall swimming? This is a very interesting question to me with what I think has a many methods.
Carefully.
For me I actually learned how to canoe in boy scouts instead of being thrown in a canoe with a paddle. They taught us to make sure the canoe is floating or won't get caught on something to cause you to tip (i failed to do this once with a crowd and everyone laughed but me). Put your paddle across the gunwale with both hands shoulder width apart and use that to step in and support yourself one foot at a time. helps if you are wearing waders or don't mind getting wet and you can step in from a bit of water.
In an ideal setting that's what I do. Same way to get out.
It might sound silly but if you can find lessons through your community or somewhere it makes the experience a lot better.
Hey G, I can see from your avatar that you've taught that skill already!
The teaching can be quite informal but needs to be done and hopefully when the weather is warm. My guys are taught the 'kennel' command so whether into a box, up to a chair or into a canoe....they understand to get in. For me with ponds in the back yard it's quite easy starting with a fairly secure 'parked' canoe such that my mistakes or the dogs don't put us both swimming. I have them repeat the in and out process. For some it's quite natural, for some it can be very difficult.
Teach 'kennel' and then 'down' used to establish a dog that is not rockin and rollin. They need to know what 'down' means. I often direct them to move in the canoe as we know that shifting to create room/weight change always happens. Once dog is comfortable doing that then we put the canoe totally in water. Dogs are like people, they need to get comfortable with the feeling of movement. When I come along side of land I always reinforce the 'sit' command until I'm ready to depart.
Boats are a bit easier but the formal process still needs to be taught......Never assume that they will do it without a hitch.
Still time to teach this skill or even review it for an older dog.....water is warm.
I might be wrong but I think he meant for his dog.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mdiddi
Yes I meant training for a dog but both post are educational.
Burlygirl can help. She knows not what to do. LOL!!!!!
I'd exit the canoe and enter a boat :-)
Seriously, I own only a canoe and have thought about hunting from it, but I haven't yet found a waterproof shotgun. My dogs are well behaved and I canoe with them regularly, but I can't imagine not tipping the canoe on retrieves (exit and entry). Does anyone do this with success?
Do the introduction with the canoe not floating but rather sitting in the yard on the ground. This does not need to take a lot of time, but allows the dog to get comfortable entering, exiting, sitting and laying down without any movement of the canoe under them.
A short session should eliminate any possibility of an unexpected swim! :-)
Sounds like there is a very good story here.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dythbringer
a dog won't tip a canoe; the person in it might.
I started at shore having the dog jump in and out (retrieving from land). same position, sit, etc. all pretty easy only a little bit of rocking.
some additional easy canoe rides and before you know it the dog is comfy in the canoe. I want my dog to dog sit all the time to avoid surprises (especially when somebody else is in the canoe with me and the dog); some might prefer that the dogs lays down to avoid any weight shifts.
the only thing that prevents the dog to get into the water are the gunwales. over time my current dog developed some style to dive into deep water (head first) without touching the gunwales at all. my lab I had before didn't like to get her eyes under water. never had her jump from a canoe, but I imagine that she wouldn't had any problem jumping from the seat.
getting a dog into the canoe; well, I have lifted mine in (boaters neoprene vest, which I don't really like all that much). but for the most part I prefer her to jump in from land or shallow water as you otherwise need some counter weight when you lean over to pick up the dog.
Heck my dog almost knocks me and my lazy boy over when someone rings the door bell.She would have me in the drink in a heart beat ..lol Dutch
if you fat like me, having the canoe overloaded with stuff that you won't ever need, but still bring just in case, you would have to paddle on your knees just like me - I'd take one hell of a 150lbs. newfie to get me to shore swimming ;-)Quote:
Originally Posted by dutchhunter
I just saw this! lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Dythbringer
On the August long weekend a few years ago, we had access to a friend's canoe and her pond. Having younger dogs at the time that had never seen a canoe, I suggested to my mother that we take the afternoon to do canoe introduction. As krakadawn also mentioned, our dogs know the 'kennel' and 'down' commands so getting my dog into a kennel, vehicle, canoe, Kubota or wheelbarrow all mean the same thing to them. We get to the pond, and I get my old girl out first. A well-seasoned veteran when it comes to going places and doing things, I use Burly as a test run. She gets in the canoe, I paddle around the pond to take her for a canoe ride, then we head to the edge of the pond where it is shallow so we can practice exit of canoe for a retrieve, and return to the canoe with bumper. The old girl does it seamlessly, and I've now seen that my idea can be done.
We get my mom's dog out next. From what some would call 'show lines', she is of a more bulky build. I repeat the process of 'kennel', 'down' and paddle around the pond. We relocate to the edge of the pond, she has an excellent exit for her retrieve, and moreso, she was a natural getting back in the canoe, with only my hand needed on the back of her neck to steady her as she hopped back in. Excellent, success is within our grasp.
I then get the last dog out. Now, if I am a betting person (and I'm not), I would have bet from the getgo that Willow would tip the canoe. She is a lean field dog, very 'willowy' in structure. She hops in the canoe, we paddle around, then move on to the retrieve portion. She exits the canoe with gusto, as only Willow can, but the canoe does not tip over. Upon return, I put my hand down to help steady her to get in. She's up, in the canoe, and back out the other side and gone, all in one motion! Of course, this motion also results in the canoe completely flipping over, tossing me into the funky end of 'creepy corner pond'. I am up to my waist in funky water, laughing like hell, and Willow is on shore with the bumper in her mouth, looking mildly surprised at all the ruckus. What's all the fuss about? Stop playing in the water and get on shore, human!
So I thought I would add to the advice already given by others...I personal hunt out out of a 10 foot Sportspal and a 14 foot Sportspal canoe. Which are arguably the most stable caone. I trained on land useing my 14 footer both of my canoes have no seats so I kneel or use a Sportpal's standard foam seat to manuver to hunting grounds. However while hunting I'll sit on the bottom of the canoe to lower my centre of gravity.
While training and getting my pup familiar with the canoe on the ground in my backyard I would start with having my pup simply jump in and out of the canoe with reward. I trained my pup with the word "place" and "down". I would then command "place" and used a familiar mat as place. I would also sit in the canoe and rock it side to side. I even laued out decoys to make it seem realistic and also familiarize him with decoys at the same time (use a call and really have the neighbours talking). Throw a bumper into the decoys and have the pup fetch it up then return to the canoe and reward. This is a fun activity repeat.
important things to remember while training.... Use a paddle it might seem strange to sit there on the grass with a paddle but it is something you will use while canoeing and you need to expose your dog to the "giant wood stick". Second throw decoys from the canoe! This is important! Although we train our pups to avoid decoys. During set up of decoys on the water while your pup is really "turned on" there is a good chance he/she will break and jump unexpectedly into the water to retrieve the decoy which is mistaken for a downed bird. This is all new to them. Thirdly and most important in my opinion is tie your pup off to the canoe thwart with about 6-8 inches of movement. Pups want to please and want to stay on "place" or "kennel" but from my experiences pups will break and move at some point. (Hard to trust a pup) With an unexpected move from one side to another there is a good chance of tipping over. The dogs entry and exit from the canoe is also dangerous and is unique to the dogs size. For me, my lab is a small male that will fetch when told to fetch so I can brace myself by holding on to the gunnels while he leaps into the water. During re entry into the canoe I will grab the bird first then with both hands grab him by the sruff of the withers and jacket lifting him into the canoe. The first canoe trip should be a short one, close to shore and in warm water expecting the worst. Then gradually further the distance and add more items to each trip.
This post is more about hunting from a canoe then exit and entry as that can vary from dog to dog. I'm just sharing my experances.
When ready to hunt, always have the pup at your back as you shoot forward!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by G note
Good job! This is how to teach a new skill before it is needed rather than hoping the dog will "know" what you do the day it is needed!