My rottie Mason has been fishing with me since he was 4 months old. He loves going on the boat and from shore. The only time I realy like to leave him is when I'm wading, he will follow me alll the way in and bob up & down because apparently he can't swim well or tread well. He has almost drown and have to be carried back to more shallow water, talk about loyal :banghead. As someone warned above watch out for baits on hooks, my dog ended up in the vet because he swallowed a shrimp on a hook, luckily he crapped it out and didn't need surgery. Dogs make great fishing partners, they make doggie vests in case your worried about your dog drowning. Good luck ~L