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Post by fergyguy on Jul 20, 2019 9:22:09 GMT
Just about to purchase a 65x12 widebeam for me and my dog and was wondering as it has a wrap around back how difficult/practical would it be to fit low doors to the stern entrance each side so as to create a more secure area for her when out on the river. I don’t want some heath Robinson affair... I was considering contacting Aintree boats to see if it’s something they have added to identical boats and get a price for some that I could fit.... views/advice please
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Post by lollygagger on Jul 20, 2019 9:34:32 GMT
If you mean sort of gates to stop your dog/small children falling in the canal I've seen it done.
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Post by Telemachus on Jul 20, 2019 9:44:28 GMT
Yes I’m sure it can be done, you see it relatively often. But it needs to be something that can be held open for when you want to get on and off the boat in locks etc.
I suppose my only thought is that this is creeping “health and safety gone mad”. Like the rail company who was recently fined £1milliion when the train enthusiast who was training as a railway engineer stuck his head out of the train window at 60mph and got it wiped off. Apparently this was the train company’s fault because the notice on the window warning not to do so, wasn’t prominent enough. Whereas some of us would say it was just Darwin in action.
My point is that dogs are much more sensible than many humans and recognise a dangerous situation eg the edge of a boat with water beyond. I suggest that unless the dog is blind or otherwise very infirm, it is better for it to learn not to fall over the edge than to be prevented from doing so. After all, if it is going to fall off the edge of the boat, why won’t it also fall off the side of a lock etc. which would be much worse. If it does fall off the edge of the boat once, it will be fine and unlikely to do it again!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2019 9:51:07 GMT
Yes I’m sure it can be done, you see it relatively often. But it needs to be something that can be held open for when you want to get on and off the boat in locks etc. I suppose my only thought is that this is creeping “health and safety gone mad”. Like the rail company who was recently fined £1milliion when the train enthusiast who was training as a railway engineer stuck his head out of the train window at 60mph and got it wiped off. Apparently this was the train company’s fault because the notice on the window warning not to do so, wasn’t prominent enough. Whereas some of us would say it was just Darwin in action. My point is that dogs are much more sensible than many humans and recognise a dangerous situation eg the edge of a boat with water beyond. I suggest that unless the dog is blind or otherwise very infirm, it is better for it to learn not to fall over the edge than to be prevented from doing so. After all, if it is going to fall off the edge of the boat, why won’t it also fall off the side of a lock etc. which would be much worse. If it does fall off the edge of the boat once, it will be fine and unlikely to do it again! One of the most important and satisfying things in life is being able to take risk and learn from making our own mistakes (within reason). Unless people experience things themselves for real they just become scared zombies...which is what ‘they want us to be’....
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Post by lollygagger on Jul 20, 2019 9:52:20 GMT
Yeah but...some dogs chuck themselves overboard at every opportunity!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2019 10:42:34 GMT
If you mean sort of gates to stop your dog/small children falling in the canal I've seen it done. Our boat had dog gates across the back of the semi trad stern and tbh they were PITA so I removed them. In locks they had to be open for access which meant the dog could jump off thd boat anyway. I think a lot depends on how well behaved/trained the dog is. Lots of people are seen with dogs patiently sat on the boat or on the roof with no intention of jumping off. Others are seen with dog 'helping' with the locks posing a bit of a risk to themselves and others. Once we got rid of our gates we just used to tether the dog on a very short leash whilst operating the lock bridge or whatever. A longer leash proved to be a trippig hazard, not good in a lock.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2019 10:44:48 GMT
Yeah but...some dogs chuck themselves overboard at every opportunity! The first thing our current pooch did when we took him to the boat for the very first time was jump in the bloody canal. He is better trained now thankfully.
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Post by Jim on Jul 20, 2019 12:19:18 GMT
Our dog, now pushing up daisies, used to try leaping for the bank going through bridge 'oles. She often missed. She hated swimming. We trained her not to get off first, but to wait, but being an independent minded terrier we had limited success. Short leash was the only real answer. Doggy life jackets are available too.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2019 15:16:27 GMT
I wouldn't rush to any expense ... see how the dog reacts when the boat is moored.
We are currently 'dogless' after thirty years of dog ownership, at several times with two GSD's.
Our dogs found their own favouite spot ... the last dog we had used to lay on the stern deck quite happily, whilst the bitch preferred to be inside the boat, but where she could see us.
Any dog may be a problem if it's running about, but laid in one spot where everyone knows where it is would be fine.
We always shut our dogs in the boat whilst locking ... too distracting for us and others in our view.
See how your dog reacts, and then make your arrangements to suit.
Rog
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Post by JohnV on Jul 20, 2019 15:24:08 GMT
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Post by phil70 on Jul 20, 2019 15:24:11 GMT
We had similar with our Cocker Spaniel who had gone blind. She travelled lying on the deck boards and would be quiet and thoughtful but........ stop and the moment the engine was switched off she would be off The problem was that if I hadn't tied up correctly she would step off onto water. Once she went under the counter and didn't surface, I was just jumping in when she surfaced and I made do with hauling her out. She was as mad as a box of frogs and I still miss her. Phil@
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Post by Deleted on Jul 20, 2019 15:47:49 GMT
If it does fall off the edge of the boat once, it will be fine and unlikely to do it again! Try telling that to my mutt!
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