Dogs are just a joy to fish with except if you have one that I had for 14 years. Loved the boat, great companion unless I hooked one and LOST it then she just threw a fit. Right up on the side of the boat whining away as I tried to get the fish to the boat. Then the ultimate sin was if I released the fish and that dog would just throw the fit from hell. My wife used to laugh and tell me the dog set our standards high and I failed to meet expectations!