Getting your pet on board only requires a bit of common sense and training.

Over the next few weeks, most boat owners will concentrate on getting their vessels back in the water so they can plan their summer at sea.

For many that will involve making minor repairs or planning their routes, while a few others will be looking forward to exploring the open waters with their pooch in tow – possibly for the first time ever.

Michael Rizzo is one such person. He got his dog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Chappi, at the end of last year and he is eager to know how the little dog will react on the water. “I use my boat around three times a week, whether to go fishing or just to relax, so it will be lovely to have Chappi with me,” explains Michael, who works in the iGaming industry.

“He is still just a puppy so I know it may take him a while to get used to the idea of being on the water. I’ll take him out for short periods at the beginning and build up to having him with us all day. I think he’ll love it, especially as he’s so adventurous and fearless. I also plan to give him a space on board where he can get comfortable and confident, and also arrange some shade for him as that’s essential. It’s going to be a fun adventure for both of us!”

Gozo-based Simon Zammit is certainly someone that would agree with the idea of taking a dog out to sea. He is the captain of a super-yacht currently based in Malta and he has plenty of experience when it comes to helping a dog get his sea legs. He and his 12-year-old Jack Russell, Duca, regularly take trips out together, and Duca has become just as home on board the boat as he is on land.

As we sailed towards Comino, he jumped into the water and swam straight to shore

“Duca has been joining me on my personal boat since he was just a few months old,” explains Simon. “Quite surprisingly, he took to it straight away and was never sea sick.”

That said, there was one occasion when things could have gone horribly wrong – Duca lost his balance and fell overboard. “Thankfully I noticed immediately and I rescued him; but he didn’t seem bothered by the experience at all!” quips his owner. “It’s in his nature to be really boisterous and energetic, so he just took it all in his stride.”

As you can imagine, there have been numerous, amusing stories at sea for Simon and his dog. “Duca loves chasing rabbits and one day, as we sailed towards Comino, he jumped into the water and swam straight to shore so he could get a head-start.

“After a number of hours, he still hadn’t returned and, even though I called for him over and over again, he wouldn’t come back – so I eventually had no choice but to leave him there! I returned early the following morning and he was waiting by the water for me, and I later found out he’d spent the night with the policeman on duty on the island. He’s become a well-known personality on Comino ever since and everyone who meets him loves him as much as I do.”

Getting out there

If you’d like to take your four-legged friend out on your boat with you, follow these tips to help you and your dog enjoy life on the high seas.

Think ahead so you can be sure you have all the facilities you need for your dog – especially water and shade. Show your dog where his water bowl will be kept on board, and hose him down every so often to keep him cool.

“I never felt the need to put Duca in a life jacket,” says dog owner and boat captain Simon, “but it may be a good idea if your dog isn’t a confident swimmer. These days it’s easy to find customised jackets to fit your breed and size of dog.”

It’s OK to let your dog move around a bit while the boat is moving but they should have an area they know is ‘theirs’. Lay a bit of outdoor carpet somewhere and encourage them to sit there; this will also help them to keep a solid footing.

Think about the inevitable – your dog will need to relieve himself! It’s best to go for a good walk before you head out to sea, and then to try to find land every couples of hours or so, otherwise you may have to prepare for puddles!

Take lots of treats along and reward good behaviour – such as when your dog sits in place for the journey or while you’re lowering the anchor. The better your dog understands what is expected of him, the more you will both enjoy your time at sea.