Dogs can have a great time on the water, but it’s important to observe some safety precautions.

The Providence Journal / Sandor Bodo

Thankfully, the warm days of summer have arrived. With the beautiful weather comes the urge to go out on the water. Many of you choose to include your canine friends on the boat ride. Be sure to follow a few common sense guidelines:

While on the boat, make sure your dog is under constant supervision, especially while the boat is moving. If your puppy or dog is a newcomer to the boat and to the water, take things slowly initially to allow your pet to adjust to the movement of the boat and to the noise of the engines. The goal is for your dog to enjoy the boating experience. If your pet is nervous or scared while on board, you may want to consider leaving him on shore next time. Not every dog will enjoy being on a boat.

No matter what size your dog, consider using a pet Personal Flotation Device (PFD). Quite a few companies make them in varying sizes and specifications. It is important to properly size your dog, so bring your pet along when you purchase this safety item.

I know what some of you Labrador owners are thinking, “A PFD, for my dog?” My response is a simple ‘yes.’ No matter how good a swimmer your dog may be, a PFD can come in handy when a dog does not realize his true swimming limitations or accidentally falls overboard. Keep in mind that most if not all PFDs for pets are designed with a handle on top that aids in lifting your dog out of the water under normal or emergency situations.

Another safety concern on the boat is your dog’s footing. Remember, your dog is not wearing boat shoes, so a fiberglass boat can be challenging, especially when wet. Provide better footing with a piece of carpet or a rubber mat. Also, a boat’s surface can get quite hot on a dog’s footpads, so check the deck’s temperature often. Some companies even offer Velcro booties that give your dog a better grip on the boat.

Always have a shaded area for your dog to retreat to when needed. This is especially important for daylong trips when the sun and temperature can become overwhelming for any dog or person. You can help protect your dog’s eyes by providing a pair of specially made dog sunglasses, if your dog will tolerate wearing them. They help to protect from ultraviolet rays and debris while in motion.

All dogs should have a collar with a legible ID tag and, for ultimate backup, be microchipped. Remember to bring plenty of fresh water and a bowl along as well. No good ever comes from your dog drinking salty water while playing in the surf.

For those of you who venture out to the barrier islands, be alert for your dog’s health out there as well. Again, your dog does not wear shoes, and the beaches and shallow waters can contain sharp objects from normal marine debris as well as the manmade variety. Monitor your pet at all times while in the surf and on the beaches. Otherwise, your dog may bring back to you an unhappy hermit crab. Of course, be the responsible and courteous owner and always pick up your dog’s feces.

While enjoying the water and the waves with your dog, make sure he does not exhaust himself with swimming and chasing the surf.

Remember, your dog truly does not realize that he has limitations and any dog can stay too long in the water, so be ready to set a time limit. Also, try to limit swimming during those times when the jellyfish are in large numbers. They will sting your dog just like they will sting you.

Another danger of being on any boat is fishing gear. Be sure to keep all hooks and bait far away from the mouth of your curious dog. Otherwise, you’ll have one terrible trip home as the treble hook sways from your dog’s lower lip. Unfortunately, I see this occur way too often. You can try to cut the hook out or at least lighten the weight. Just remember the barb on the hook usually doesn’t come out but in one direction.

Always rinse or bathe your dog when you arrive back home to cleanse the coat, especially if he was in salty water. For more information on all forms of boating with a dog, go to BoatUS.com/pets. Happy boating.

Dr. Tracy Acosta is a veterinarian at Biloxi Animal Hospital in Mississippi.