This year some of my hunting buddies brought over a Jon boat for fishing and latter this year we might try it out with the cover for water fowl. SO went to see how well Mongo could leave off the boat to do a retreave it needed. After a few times he had it down the boad did not move went he went off. My problem is trying to get him back into the boat. The problem is with the location we want to try there is not a spot for him to lay other then the boat so he is not seen.

Mongo is a very tall lab and built and that together has him at about 120lbs when he is fit. I am just wondering if anyone has any ideas on this the best way to get a dog into a boat.

Thanks,

They make a ladder that is made just for that.Chech out cabelas or one of the other stores.

the boat stuff is not bad to work, what I do is to start on land and give the boat and dog association, get him relaxed coming and going for the ground retrieves, or even boat on the ground, and dog mark is direct into the shallow water...this is for the association, of teh bells and whistles that'll be going at rice, sparland, marshall or woodford, work the dog where you will be able to move the boat more and more into the water, there are several things offered for retrievers and boats, I personally grabbed the collar, and the dog would pull, itself in, with my assistance. the ob will tighten him up on the working birds, I have had dogs swimming, and walking back from airing at several of those locations, and ducks or geese, did not flair, even take and teach whistle sit, and then all will be well. Biggest thing is patience! Thanks Jonesy

Thanks,

I have been working with Mongo with boat right next to the land so it moves a little but so felt OK with it first. It took a few times but he got good getting off the boad it was just getting back in that was the main issue. With the soft ground we will try to jump and he can not get lift with his legs sinking in the mud.

I will have to take a look at a ladder idea. Now that idea got in my head I think I might be able to fab something in the shop with a pipe bender and a small step that could be under the water a little so he can get his footing. I will have to look online and see what see.

Thanks for the ideas.

I hunted a couple of years ago with my lab out of our boat. Once she retrieved and brought the bird next to the boat I had her drop it while i took it from her.Then I took one hand on the scruff of her neck and the other on the scruff of her hips and helped pull her up into the boat. She the proceeded to soak my brother and I. My dog is light and usually weight 65-70 lbs during season so I had it easier than you do but its worth a try if $ is tight. --Millpond

I made one in about an hour and a half out of some 3/4 in copper pipe, a piece of 1/2 in plywood and a piece of scrap carpet. It is built for a mod v hull boat and once a dog uses it a couple times he has it down pat. All you have to know is where the water level is going to be and solder it together. I had all this junk laying in my barn but if you had to buy it even at the high prices now you could make it a lot cheaper than you can buy them.