Forgive me if this is in the wrong forum or a subject I have missed in the search function, but being a bass fisherman I thought this might be the best place to start. I have a bass boat and have been thinking about getting a puppy to "boat train". I know there are ALOT of folks here that have done this. I am worried about hooks in the paws or anything else, and all of the chaos that could happen with a puppy on the boat trying to train him....or her. Can I get some stories or some hints on the best way to do this? Is a formal training program necessary first? Are there certain breeds that do better on boats? Just want a pal on the boat that I can always count on.

I'd get a small kennel that you can put him in while you are busy. They are going to have accidents and get into things. Training is easy but time consuming. You can do it yourself. Dogs like Labs like water but have to train them not to go for unsuspecting swims. My main concern is stepping on hooks when the rods are on the deck. I'm probably going to make a flap to flip over the lures.

My dog can't even ride in a car for more than 10 minutes. He gets sick and pukes on the floor. So he's never been in the boat and never will.

I got a yellow lab puppy last spring. I started taking her on the boat right away. I still keep her tied to the handle on the console so she cant get to the hooks on the rods. They need to go to the bank often when they are young. She can go all day with one bathroom break now that she is a year old. She has been good so far about staying in the boat and really hasn't been any trouble.

Dogs on the boat are great.
if you are going to train one to be on the boat, when you take the dog out in "training", then you have to train and not fish. You are either training or fishing. Once the dog is trained then you can enjoy the fishing with your fishing partner. Don't expect the dog to get "it" thru osmosis. A good water dog will learn fast of where they can go and where they cannot.

My mini schnauzer is great on the boat. He pretty much goes everywhere with me, so he is use to following commands. If only I could break him from trying to bite the fish I catch.

Our bull terrier loves going on the boat. He just doesn't like the wind in his face. [b][/b]

Wow so glad you said Bull Terrior because I think those are the neatest lil pups and think they would be a great fishing buddy for the boat!

I waited until mine was house broke and could understand basic commands until i took him on the boat. The first time out he did awesome for about 5 hours. I beached the at the boat ramp and [censored]'ed on my carpet!!! But hey atleast he held it that long.

I have had bull terriers for about 15 years. they are the most comical breed in the world, but they require very special attention. I am pretty sure the bull part refers to being bullheaded. lol. the one we have now is very hyper except on the boat. he has surprised me that he is calm on the boat. he doesn't bark at dogs on the shore or try to jump off the boat. but he will let other boats know if they get too close to daddy's fishing spot. lol

Labs are great fishing partners. You can train them to stay in their area, whether it's on the back deck or down in the bottom. They can be trained not to jump in the water when they see a critter on shore or try to jump out on the dock when you are nearing it. I waited until the "New" wore off of my boat before I would put my 70lb dog in it though. If he had been able to back the trailer down he would have been the BEST fishing partner in the world.

I too have a Miniature Schnauzer and he is a great little fishing buddy.

First time I took my pup on the boat she had to use the bathroom, She thought she could walk on water, She learned the hard way. She was about 4 months at the time.

I just dont like getting dog hair everywhere.. Other than that i like to take them

I have a black lab and he is great in the boat. He is still very young. Only a couple of months. But has done great with the boat. Before I took him out in the boat I got him to sit beside me and watch me cast out in the yard a lot. And made sure he wasn't going to chase my lure. I made sure he wasn't interested in trying to eat anything related to a fishing pole. I think a dog is good to have while fishing. Especially if you fish by yourself a lot.