After reading through the k9 comfort thread, it got me wondering... Do you put a pfd on your dog or not?

We have always had yellow labs who loved to swim, and never put a pfd on them. However we were once on Pine when we shouldn't have been, and made me realize that our dog probably would not have made it to shore if we tipped. So now we have a new pup and I'm considering getting her one. Well, in the spring when she is closer to her full weight.

I had a Lab also and he loved to swim. Never really thought about getting one back then. But we have one for our Rat terrier, who also loves to swim and does fairly well. My friend, Mississippi Dan has one for his Border Collie and she swims like a fish. If the dog gets tired or stressed it's good insurance. We have two, the one that fits best and is more comfortable is "Outward Hound."

First in Minnesota I have learned that it is law that a dog has a pfd. Who knew.

We learned that last spring when we were looking into the same thing. Our line of thinking was this.
1. The water was extremely cold, and if we dumped it would be enough to just save ourselves. (We always wear pfds).
2. Of course if our baby was struggling without a pfd we would try and save him. Not only would he be in danger, but he's a big dog and that would in turn put us in danger.
3. It seemed like a no brainer that we spend the small amount of money to get our best friend protected, and in doing so protecting ourselves too.

My dogs ALWAYS wear PFD's when out on the water. Playing/swimming at shore? No, but if they're out on open water with us in a boat... PFD every single time.

I am a big supporter of Center for Pet Safety and everything they have done apply an actual scientific standard to pet travel as well as debunking marketing claims of dangerous, ineffective products. I'm eagerly awaiting them to start on PFD's. Link to Center for Pet Safety

jerryr: "First in Minnesota I have learned that it is law that a dog has a pfd. Who knew."

I'm not sure where you heard this. I never have, and I don't see any mention in either the Minnesota DNR 2018 Boating Guide or in the 2018 Minnesota Statues pertaining to Life Jackets . Please correct me if I missed it.

I don't put one on my dog, but he's a strong swimmer from a top field line born for it, and also a very calm dog in the canoe. I am sure he'll get to a point age wise where his stamina is less and I'll put one on him then. Then again, paddling solo, I go to considerable lengths to avoid big open water or rough conditions, and am constantly thinking about how far it is to shore. I think for most dogs they are a very good idea.

Our last dog was a horrible swimmer so he always had a pdf, it saved his life a few times (he liked to jump onto bogs thinking they were land). Our lab now has a pdf (from the last dog) but we have only put it on her a few times.

Jaywalker: "

jerryr: "First in Minnesota I have learned that it is law that a dog has a pfd. Who knew."

I'm not sure where you heard this. I never have, and I don't see any mention in either the Minnesota DNR 2018 Boating Guide or in the 2018 Minnesota Statues pertaining to Life Jackets . Please correct me if I missed it.


I don't put one on my dog, but he's a strong swimmer from a top field line born for it, and also a very calm dog in the canoe. I am sure he'll get to a point age wise where his stamina is less and I'll put one on him then. Then again, paddling solo, I go to considerable lengths to avoid big open water or rough conditions, and am constantly thinking about how far it is to shore. I think for most dogs they are a very good idea.


"

I looked for where I read that, and I cannot find it. So I would have to say it is not true.

Still not a bad idea, especially in cold water.

jerryr: "First in Minnesota I have learned that it is law that a dog has a pfd. Who knew."

I’ve never heard of this. Lawmakers change rules it seems every day and it’s hard to keep up with new ones. Please post where you read or heard this. My Yorkshire Terrier wears his when we are boating.

I looked again for it, but no luck.

I checked the boating regs., fishing regs., and hunting, but no mention anywhere. I know I read it because it caught me so off guard, but I cannot confirm it now. :(

We would have done it at any rate because it is the safe thing to do not only for the dog but the people with the dog!

Thanks for the input. I guess I never really see that many dogs up there, or I never noticed any wearing PDFs. But it does make a lot sense to have them wear one also.

Now to find one that fits. Ozarkpaddler likes outward hound. Any other favorites?

4keys: "Thanks for the input. I guess I never really see that many dogs up there, or I never noticed any wearing PDFs. But it does make a lot sense to have them wear one also.


Now to find one that fits. Ozarkpaddler likes outward hound. Any other favorites?
"

I'm hesitant to recommend any of them as, per my earlier post, there is no testing in the industry to verify their efficacy, but we have one by Outward Hound for our 25 lb Jack Russel mix that seems to work very well for him. I don't know how well it actually works, but I like that there is a flap under his head--clearly they are thinking of flotation for their head which could be crucial if the dog is unconscious. I just can't tell if what it has would actually be buoyant enough to keep a head above water, but I like where the designers' minds are at with that.

I'd put one on my dog if for nothing else some protection from cold rain.

I had a dog that for some reason usually obeyed staying in a canoe but waterfowl clicked her Nuts button and she would leave.. And then swim after us.. Its handy to have a handle to grab onto the dog if you are mid lake..

We had a dog in our neighborhood that ran with the gang of retreivers. We are on a lake. The retriever line would jump off the dock.. And the little bowling ball of a dog would follow. Fortunately his owner was on the dock.. the little guy sank

Pugs have dense bones.

Making my lab wear a pfd would be like making an eagle wear a parachute

jwartman59: " Making my lab wear a pfd would be like making an eagle wear a parachute "

Agreed, it all depends on the dog. My dog swims everyday in the summer, he jumps in the river at my house and swims an 1/8 mile downstream gets out and walks the shore back home then does it again all day long. He now wears a tag that says basically " please don't rescue me I am not lost, only swimming" He needs a PFD about as much as a walleye does.....

Bought my dog Ruffwear life jacket. Not cheap but good quality.

My Border Collie wears a Float Doggie by D-fa Dogs.

nooneuno: "

jwartman59: " Making my lab wear a pfd would be like making an eagle wear a parachute "

Agreed, it all depends on the dog. My dog swims everyday in the summer, he jumps in the river at my house and swims an 1/8 mile downstream gets out and walks the shore back home then does it again all day long. He now wears a tag that says basically " please don't rescue me I am not lost, only swimming" He needs a PFD about as much as a walleye does....."

This kind of thinking just reminds me of all the stories you hear of people who drown not wearing their PFD despite everyone saying what strong swimmers they were. Cold water, rough water, hell, even just the surprise of a capsize in relatively calm water can be extremely dangerous even for the strongest of swimmers.