Labs and drift boats?

[Commando]

Was curious if anyone takes there lab in the drift boat with them? I’ve got a lab that I wanna start taking down rivers with me. We went out on the lake the other day and man when he moves around it got annoying having to shift everything around to get balanced again.

[WSU]

Was curious if anyone takes there lab in the drift boat with them? I’ve got a lab that I wanna start taking down rivers with me. We went out on the lake the other day and man when he moves around it got annoying having to shift everything around to get balanced again.

I do but you need to make sure you can keep them still.  It doesn't work rowing around boulders, etc. when the dog throws everything off balance.  Just make sure you train the dog first.

[Commando]

That’s what I was thinking. When yours goes with you is he in front of you or behind the rowers seat?

[deerlick]

my lab rode on the front deck of my hyde until she was about 2. then one day in a bad rapid on the sol duc i jumped up to lean the boat and so did she, we crashed a bit and decided no more dog in the drifter.

[Commando]

That’s one of my favorite rivers to... I’m going to be getting another dog soon and wanted to get peoples experience with them in drifters or maybe to see if I might look at another breed. My dog is probably just like yours if I move to lean the boat he will think it’s time to move. I don’t really like leaving him at home but if that’s what I have to do...

[WSU]

I've had the dog both in front and behind me depending on where I am and what/who is in the boat.  I fish more out of a sled now and that's less of an issue (until the dog decides it is time for a swim and jumps out!). 

[87Ford]

I took my Lab fishing in the drift boat once....ONCE.  Could not keep him in the boat.  Came down from high bridge on the Sky, around the corner, through the rock garden...  First cast with the float was too much for him.  Into the river he went, heavy water.  Got him back into the boat way down river.  Didn't even get to fish that day, just wrote it off.  I could have trained him to stay in the boat I suppose, but just not worth it to me.  That was his one and only day in the db.

[7mmfan]

My girl spent a lot of time in the boat. It was always a giant PIA. Casting sent her into a frenzy, fish sent her to the moon. One thing she was good at though was not jumping out. She did it once as a pup and I think it scared that habit right out of her. I never did actually try to train her on boat etiquette though, so I probably only have myself to blame. If I was to do it again, I'd train her to just stay put wherever I needed her to because that changes day to day. The bow is nice and out of the way, but not a great spot some times, as you noted like it rough water. The back is good, but not if you have a guy front and back, then she's probably better up front. Dogs in driftboats can be a real joy, but they just aren't designed to hold that many living beings, especially ones that like to move around.

[Bullkllr]

After decades of experience with both, I concluded there are many other better ways to spend quality time with my labs.

ymmv

[walt]

Mine was great in boats. She wasn't at all high strung though, probably the most laid back lab I've ever known.  She floated hundreds of miles in the drifter and cataraft, usually sitting upright in the back seat or on the floor behind me.  If only I could have taught her to row...

[jackelope]

I took my yellow dog in my drift boat once.

Once.

[87Ford]

I took my yellow dog in my drift boat once.

Once.

Lol, been there, done that too..

[Backstrap]

My EFC won’t sit still, and tends to jump out. Way to high strung. Basically can’t take him in boats.

[pens fan]

Sounds to me like you need "The dog that doesn't rock the boat!"

[Bullkllr]

My labs have done great in boats. Just not drift boats where there isn't enough room anyway.

[Commando]

Sounds to me like you need "The dog that doesn't rock the boat!"

Boykins are the other dog I’m considering. I’m pretty hooked onto labs though. I’ve always wanted to have a nice yellow lab. But the boykins and there size are something that’s hard to ignore with our lifestyle. With them being small enough to do the lifestyle we have and them being able to do everything a lab can. It’ll be fun to be able to take them fishing though for sure

[pens fan]

I've never heard of anyone going back to labs after having a Boykin. They usually end up with more than one.
But, if you are interested, come to our first inaugural Boykin Spaniel Hunting Retriever test next month, July 10 & 11 in Monroe. We have many people from across the country and possibly Canada if they open up. There's training and raffles and a dinner of sorts Saturday, and Sunday is the actual test. You'll see many Boykins and how they work.Plus, there's no tails cleaning off your coffee table or whacking your knees.