Boating with the bow-wows

[Pune]

Dr. Z, I'll be going on a two-hour sail around Manhattan with my dog. What should I bring, and what should I be watching out for?
Thanks!

[Dr. Stephen Zawistowski]

Make sure you take your dog for a good walk before getting on the boat. There may not be a "head" for his use. You should also see about getting life jacket or personal floatation device for your dog (PFD). These are required for all of the human passengers on a boat, and there is no reason to skip our furry family members. Keep in mind that even the best canine swimmers may be spooked if they fall off a boat and panic when they hit the water. In addition the waters around Manhattan are subject to strong tides and currents which can quickly tire a dog in the water. Finally, these life vests usually come in high visibility colors so it will be easy to spot and recover your pooch.