Do Moorages Allow Dogs on Floating Homes?

People want to know about having dogs on floating homes. Wow! You and your best friend are moving to the river. Cool. Dogs are welcome at some moorages, and forbidden on others. Be sure you know if the floating home you are falling in love with will accept dogs in the moorage. Hey! This is Portland! What’s with ‘no dogs on floating homes?’ Well there is a reason some moorages do not allow dogs on the floating homes. The main reason is their owners. River living seems like a return to simpler times, where there are fewer rules and life can be lived with abandon. But in truth, river dwellers actually are pretty clear on the rules of their moorage. No one likes an aggressive dog. Leashes are good on the docks so no one goes swimming by accidentally getting pushed over by a uber-friendly dog. Barking dogs are not good neighbors.

Swimming

I know it seems like  fun idea to fetch from your new deck, but think about how your dog will get back up on the dock. A wet dog can be heavy, the river has current that can carry him under the house; make sure you and your dog both know how he will get back on terra firma before you throw that ball or stick!

Doing his Business

Moorages that allow dogs on floating homes will have a policy about where the dogs can do their business. If you are lucky, they might also have a specified area for dogs. Whatever the policy is, remember! You are living in a community, so you must pick up after your dog and throw the baggie away in the trash. Good neighbors don’t allow their dogs to do their business on the decks of their home, or on the docks, or in the parking lot; they take the dog to a separate place on the uplands, and then pick up after the dog right away. The reason so many moorages do allow dogs on floating homes is because dog owners were not responsible with taking care of this important issue.

If you have a good puppy, a well trained, quiet, well mannered do who does not attack other dogs, and you are willing to take your pup to the proper place for potty breaks, then you can find a wonderful home on the water that welcomes dogs on floating homes. Call me to find out which moorages are pet friendly and which are firmly on the opposite shore.