10 top tips for sailing with dogs

To sail the world with your four-legged family members requires months of preparation and research, stacks of paperwork, extra supplies and provisions, regular vaccinations, expensive updates for your vessel, and many hours of potty and safety training. Is it worth it?

For us, having our two beagles – Cap’n Jack and Scout – on board provides many rewards and challenges, and it is something we will never regret. When our dogs cuddle up next to us on a lonely night watch, or when we discover something extraordinary off the beaten path during a long walk ashore, we know that all the extra preparation was worth it.

Cap’n Jack and Scout adapted to living aboard our 43ft steel ketch, Seefalke, quickly. They walked around and curiously sniffed every corner. Then, tails wagging, they looked up at us, and it was as if they shrugged their shoulders and said, “I guess we live here now.” Then they curled up on the settee in the main saloon and settled in.

After sailing to more than 12 countries on four continents and across eight significant bodies of water, including a three-week Atlantic Ocean crossing, we are convinced now more than ever that dogs just want to be with their humans. Dogs adapt well to new surroundings as long as they have consistent training, plenty of rewards, and lots of attention.

Now that we have experience sailing with dogs in heavy, offshore conditions, we’ve learned many lessons about how to keep them comfortable, healthy, and safe.

We also learned all