Moving Aboard With Fido? Here’s How to Get Your Dog Ready for Life at Sea

For a lot of bluewater sailors, the adventure isn’t complete without a boat dog by their side. But getting a dog to do its business on a sailboat — and clearing customs and immigration with one in tow — isn’t exactly simple.

I’ve always wondered how full-time sailors pull it off, so I reached out to three awesome women living aboard with their dogs to find out. What I got back were some genuinely heartwarming stories (and some seriously lovable boat dogs).

Is Your Dog Suited to Life on a Sailboat?

Not every dog is suited to life aboard, so it’s worth thinking carefully before setting sail.

Size can make a difference, especially when it comes to lifting your dog on and off the boat or helping them in an emergency. Age, temperament, and energy levels matter too. Some dogs adapt quickly to new environments, while others struggle with constant movement and changing routines.

You’ll also want to consider how your dog handles heat, whether they suffer from separation anxiety, and if they have any medical conditions that could be difficult to manage while cruising.

Many dogs thrive on sailboats, but understanding your pet’s needs beforehand can make life afloat much easier for both of you.

How to Train a Dog to Use the Bathroom on a Sailboat

One of the biggest concerns for sailors with dogs is potty training. After all, how do you teach a dog to use the bathroom on a boat that’s constantly moving?

The key is to start before you leave the dock. Introduce your dog to a designated potty area, whether that’s a piece of artificial grass, a pee pad, or a mat. Use the same surface consistently and reward your dog immediately when they use it correctly.

Be patient, especially during the first few days aboard. Some dogs adapt quickly, while others need more time to understand what’s expected of them.

Kym Helwig, who lives with her husband on their sailboat in Vero Beach, Florida, found the process surprisingly easy with their Sheltie, Solly.

“Training him went smoothly. He’s naturally smart, and the second time I asked him to use the astroturf in the cockpit, he did! Now, we have his astroturf on the cabin top, and I scoop his poop regularly and throw it in the garbage.”

It was a slightly different story for Kristiann Gipps’ dog, Friday, a 6-year-old German-Shorthaired pointer she and her husband introduced to life aboard their 44′ catamaran a year-and-a-half ago. 

The dog’s first potty training happened on a passage aboard Allende. “After 27 fraught hours, our dog first chose to relieve himself in the place aboard that’s farthest away from our ‘home’ space, in this case on the corner of our catamaran’s trampoline.”

Baxter and Molly Gillespie of Sailing Terrapin have been cruising with their boat dog, Kala, who has traveled nearly 9,000 nautical miles and visited 19 countries by sailboat. 

For Kala, success came down to patience and positive reinforcement. “She ended up going potty on deck around 2 days into the storm. We had a big party and lots of treats and to this day, she always asks for a treat after she potties.”

Whatever system you use, make sure the area is easy to clean. Accidents happen, especially during the early stages of training, and a designated potty spot will make life much easier for everyone on board.

Cruising Internationally With a Dog

Traveling internationally with a dog requires extra planning, as every country has its own entry requirements.

Before setting sail, make sure your dog’s vaccinations are up to date and that they have a microchip and any required health certificates. Depending on where you’re travelling, you may also need import permits and a rabies titre test, which checks for rabies antibodies in the blood.

Pet Travel recommends creating a “pet passport” for your dog, where you keep all your animal’s paperwork.

Kristiann Gipps of Sail Allende recommends staying on top of the paperwork well before arriving in a new country. “The most valuable test you can get is a rabies titer test that checks for rabies antibodies. I keep Friday’s vaccinations up to date and research the protocol in each new country before we enter.”

She adds that veterinary fees, health certificates, and import permits have become a regular part of their cruising budget.

If you’re cruising in Europe, it can help to keep all your dog’s records together in a pet passport or dedicated folder. Pet Travel recommends creating a “pet passport” containing vaccination records, health certificates, and other important documents.

Molly Gillespie says it’s essential to research regulations carefully before making plans. “You must know the rules and understand the requirements and limitations.”

Some destinations have strict restrictions on pets, which can influence cruising routes and long-term travel plans.

Entry requirements change regularly, so always check official government sources before sailing to a new country. Websites such as Pet Travel and Bring Fido can also be useful starting points for researching pet import regulations around the world.

How to keep your boat dog healthy and safe on deck

There are lots of ways to keep your dog safe while underway. Many sailors use a dog life jacket, along with a harness and tether, especially during offshore passages or rough conditions.

Kym Helwig said when her dog was small, she was afraid he’d lose his footing and fall overboard. “We have a life jacket for him that he wore during stormy, windy, or rocky conditions, just to make sure he’d be okay if he did accidentally go in the drink,” she said. 

“On our inflatable dinghy, he is super brave and likes to run around the tube on the outside, side to side, then he stands with the breeze blowing his fur back. Kinda the equivalent of a dog putting his head out a car window. He loves dinghy rides!”

Molly Gillespie says Kala is always clipped into the cockpit when sailing offshore and only goes forward on a leash. She loves the no-pull front range harness by RuffWear.

Beyond life jackets and tethers, it’s important to watch for other hazards. Dogs can suffer from heatstroke in tropical climates, particularly on boats with limited shade. Make sure your dog always has access to fresh water and a cool place to rest.

Saltwater ingestion can also cause stomach upset and dehydration, so discourage your dog from drinking seawater. After swimming, it’s worth rinsing off salt, sand, and anything else they may have picked up along the way.

When exploring new anchorages, keep an eye out for jellyfish, sea urchins, sharp coral, and other marine hazards that can injure curious dogs.

Exercise can be more challenging during long passages. “That’s a limitation, for sure. If conditions are very calm, Friday has the run of the boat and decks,” said Kristiann. “If it’s rough, he’s clipped in or inside the salon. What we’ve found is that everyone is exhausted by being constantly underway, including our dog. And a swim when we finally arrive is always the biggest treat. A run on the beach works too, but we always ask him to go for a swim after because of SAND!”

For sailors standing offshore watches, it’s also important to consider your dog’s routine. Secure sleeping areas, regular water checks, and designated toilet breaks can help keep pets comfortable and safe during multi-day passages.

How Much Does It Cost to Cruise With a Dog?

Cruising with a dog adds a few extra costs to your budget. Exactly how much depends on where you travel, and your dog’s needs, but common expenses include:

• Vet visits for routine check-ups and health certificates
• Vaccinations, including keeping rabies shots up to date
• Import permits and paperwork required by some countries
• Food and supplies, especially if your dog needs a specific diet
• Emergency veterinary care for unexpected illnesses or injuries
• Pet insurance, if you choose to carry it while travelling

It’s worth planning for these costs before setting sail, particularly if you’re planning long-term cruising or visiting multiple countries.

Essential Gear For A Boat Dog

Just like the rest of the crew, your dog will need a few pieces of gear to stay safe and comfortable onboard.

• Dog life jacket: Provides buoyancy and makes it easier to recover your dog if they fall overboard
• Harness: Useful for attaching a tether and helping your dog move safely around the boat
• Tether: Helps prevent falls overboard when sailing offshore or in rough conditions
• Non-slip surface: Artificial grass, deck mats, or other non-slip surfaces can help dogs feel more secure on deck
• Portable pup flask: Makes it easy to keep fresh water handy in rough conditions
• Shade: A shaded area is essential for keeping dogs cool in hot climates
• Pet first-aid kit: Useful for treating minor cuts, scrapes, stings, and other injuries until professional help is available
• LED collar or light: Makes it easier to spot your dog at night, especially in anchorages and marinas.

Many of these items aren’t expensive, but they can make life aboard safer and more comfortable for both you and your dog.

Advice to Others Considering Sailing with a Dog Aboard

Kristiann’s advice is to try to think about your dog objectively before taking him or her onboard your sailboat.

“For example, if you’ll be cruising in the Caribbean, how well does your animal handle the heat? Does your pet require any specific veterinary care or medications that may be difficult to obtain? Do you have the right tools aboard to remove pet hair and keep your space clean? How much exercise does your pet need and do you have a plan for accomplishing this? We have a very high-energy dog, but he loves to swim. If he didn’t like the water the lifestyle would be more challenging.”

Kym said to be sure to have the right size dog for you and your boat.

“Solly is a small dog, easy for us to lift on and off the boat and up and down the companionway ladder.  We have intentionally not taught him to climb the ladder.  This allows us to control when he is topside.  We have been thankful many times that he is a small dog. Friends have told us that their older dog could not learn to go to the bathroom on the boat, and many are not cruising for just that reason.  Starting with a pup made it easy for us to manage his routines and expectations because it is all he has known since he was 10 weeks old.” And Molly’s advice is to understand your physical limitations and where you want to cruise.

“You cannot go everywhere with your dog and you have to be able to move the dog around if it’s debilitated so you have to have that in mind before you start cruising.”

The joys and challenges of living with a dog onboard a sailboat

All the women I interviewed for this article absolutely love having their dog onboard and really can’t imagine it any other way.

“Cruising with a dog is everything – it’s hard, fun, full of love, complicated but rewarding,” said Molly. “The hardest part: when the weather is bad and boat is slamming, you can’t rationally explain things will be ok and they are scared.  Also, there is an extra concern if the extreme worst happens and we get in the life raft.  Will she be able to get out of the boat, how will she do in the life raft, etc…the USCG assured us they would rescue any animal onboard.”

Kristiann said her biggest challenge is keeping up with Friday’s diet, as they feed him a raw food diet, which means lots of time restocking. But of course, the good outweighs the bad.

“I love cruising with our dog. He brings just as much joy to our lives as when we lived on land, perhaps even more so because he loves the water so much. His presence is also a great conversation starter with people we meet along the way,” she said. “He also leads me to spend more time in the water.”

Kymberly said her main challenge is getting the dog to the vet, but otherwise, living with Solly aboard has been a great joy.

“Solly is just wonderful to have aboard. He loves to play, and we love to play with him,” she said. “He brings some recreation and humor to our lives. I’ve taught him not to bark, a tall order for a Sheltie, but he is usually quiet.  He has alerted me a few times to something he thought was unsafe and I praised him.  But normally, he watches boats go by and just has a smile on his face.  The neighbors love him; he is a favorite in the marina.”

All in all, it seems like a great adventure having a boat dog, where you can share a life of freedom and adventure with your very best friend.

Final Thoughts on Cruising with a Dog

Cruising with a dog isn’t the easiest way to travel. You’ll spend more time researching entry requirements, visiting vets, and planning daily routines.

But ask most sailors with dogs whether it’s worth it, and the answer is usually the same. The companionship, security, and joy a dog brings to life aboard far outweigh the extra work.

FAQ

Can dogs live on sailboats full-time?

Yes. Many cruising sailors live aboard with dogs for years. The key is providing regular exercise, veterinary care, and a safe onboard routine.

Can you sail internationally with a dog?

Yes, but you’ll need to comply with each country’s entry requirements. These may include vaccinations, microchips, health certificates, rabies titre tests, and import permits.

Is cruising with a dog difficult?

Cruising with a dog requires extra planning, paperwork, and expense, but many sailors feel the companionship and enjoyment far outweigh the challenges.

How do dogs go to the bathroom on a sailboat?

Many sailors train their dogs to use a designated area onboard, such as artificial grass, a mat, or a pee pad. Some dogs learn quickly, while others need more time and positive reinforcement.

Do dogs need life jackets on boats?

Yes, especially during rough weather, offshore passages, dinghy rides, or whenever there’s a risk of falling overboard.

What is the best dog breed for sailing?

There is no perfect sailing dog. Smaller, adaptable breeds are often easier to manage onboard, but many sailors successfully cruise with larger and more active dogs.