Dogs & Diving

[KaylinQ]

There is nothing wrong with leashing up a dog for a bit if it's for the safety of the dog. Even when I take Tara along a dive I will leash her up if need be when the occassion arises!
Obviously' this person wasn't thinking...

Tara is so attached with me she goes with me to pee...lol

 

[KC_Scubabunny]

I have two dogs. A longhaired minature dachshund (Azore) and a basset mix (Auggie). Both are deathly afraid of water. Their short stature makes them poor swimmers and their long floppy ears make them prone to infections.

We take them to the the major town near the lake where we dive and they stay at a lovely (& expensive) pet resort that is built on a spacious farm. They have actual rooms and beds for every guest instead of your typical chain link runs and cages. It is like a bed and breakfast for canines! We like this option better than boarding them here in the city because if something should happen such as illness or injury, we are 20 minutes away and not 4 hours.

For those who are interested in traveling with their dogs, Residence Inn by Marriott is extremely pet friendly. They charge an extra $5 per day per dog but it is well worth it to not have to hassle to try to sneak them in or out of a less accomodating place.

KC_Scubabunny

 

[AllenG]

Some time back, the Animal Channel (cable tv station) had a segment on a SCUBA diving dog. The owner had set up a globe-like mask (years back, some Keys resort operators had these for humans). It was quite a sight! As might be expected, the dog got around by doing the dog paddle.

In the interest of keeping the tone of this thread civil: Please, no jokes about the proper DIR set-up for a canine diver!

 

[Kaffphine]

Mine stays at home, he's getting old and is deathly afraid of water. But one the regualars has two golden labs and he brings them out all the time... just as soon as it gets a little warmer. And appeartly they've followed him in more than once.

 

[tombiowami]

I have seen a cable show in which a guy rigged up a diving unit for his dog. Basically an enclosed helmet and they went diving together all the time! The dog would bounce along the bottom happy as can be. Don't remember what show it was but I have seen it a couple times. I think they are in Fla.

Tommy

 

[ScubaJorgen]

I don't like dogs.... :notme: If I had one I would take it with me diving...

 

[waterdogs]

We of course have (2) WATERDOGS (LABS) and they are excellent swimmers, better than some of my buddies I'd say, but when we travel they stay at home.

We live on the lake so and they love to swim with us, but I can't see strapping a mask and snorkel on them, besides, the snorkel would get in the way of the tennis balls they carry around in their mouth when they swim/fetch in the lake.

We love our WATERDOGS, but they stay at home.

waterdogs.

 

[Inspector#2]

Love dogs but...
Had to use a tube of modeling cement to fix the dozen or so trenches in the back of my wetsuit when my buddy's dog decided I would make a great island to climb on. You can't dump air fast enough when a German Sheppard has a target lock.

Dave

 

[Vinga]

Years back, Walt Disney took Benjie diving, with a "bell" over his head, anyone remember this? The poor pooch was in scene after scene, paddling to the surface. Did not look happy!
How do you teach a dog to clear it's ears?
I figure I love my critters, but maybe not everyone else does; I let them stay home.
Just my 2cents.
Melissa

 

[ScubaScott]

I have a 3 year old son, woops, golden retriever that jumps out of his skin as soon as I touch my fins. He comes with me to most dive sites, plays around in the water, and plays with other people at the site. When diving, he's in the jeep or leashed in the shade if others are at the site, but he can't be loose, or he'll follow me wherever I go. He loves to come snorkling with me though - we live on the lake which means its a pretty much daily activity. Most of the time he swims beside me and tours around, other times he tries to use me a propulsion/bouyancy device, and this does not work out so well - hes 90lbs. He just loves the water though - most Goldens (and Labs) do. I've been out snorkeling for almost an hour and he's just touring around beside me - almost with a smile on his face! I could babble on and on and on..........