Our family got our first dog last summer. Sierra is a 2 year old mixed breed and has been a wonderful addition to our family. We live on Lake Norman and enjoy going out on our pontoon boat whenever possible. We were so excited to take Sierra on her first boat ride.
She however, would not cross over from the dock to the boat even though it was just a small gap of about 10 inches.
Sierra is a medium sized dog (50lbs) so it should have been an easy walk onto the boat. We tried everything to coax her on, but she wasn't going to do it. Then I had a brainstorm! I took my beach towel and laid it across the gap from the dock to the boat. Sierra walked right on without any hesitation. I was amazed at such a simple fix! I am also going to try the "towel bridge" trick when we get our invisible yard fence placed next week. The invisible fence salesman told us we would have to train her to cross the boundary line at a certain point to go for walks with us outside the protected area. I'm going to try the towel bridge at the area we exit to go for walks. Hope it works! I will post an update once we try it.
You will need a large towel, like a beach towel.
Here are the steps in getting your dog to cross the gap onto the boat:
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Beautiful dog. Such a concerned look on her face about crossing that gap and then such a relaxed and enjoyable look when riding on the boat with her life vest. Sweet!!
I hope the towel works out with the fence. I remember my daddy trying to get some pigs to cross a line where an electric fence was and he couldn't do it. Had to load them up on the truck and take them across.
happy to see the life jacket on her
Likekinds, are you lucky enough to be from NC? We got some good folks here from NC!! Great place to live! I grew up here in NC. Never lived anywhere else.
Yes, Ida,
I'm a tarheelian. Born and raised here. I did live in Charlotte for a while. It was at a time when Lake Norman was really getting off the ground. Lots of development and 'The place to be'!
We do have members from the mountains and near mountains. I think most of our NC members are like me in that they are from the Piedmont region. I've noticed several from small towns such as Climax and others close by.
Lake Norman?
I do declare, Ida. I'm beginning to believe ThrifyFun has more members from North Carolina than from any other locale.
If it's so, so be it. It's a good thing.
Cute pooch!
To follow up on using the towel as a walkway and 'safe' spot to cross the invisible fencing area in our yard--this works! Sierra would not cross her 'boundry' line even with her shock collar off because she has learned her limits.
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