Don't forget to watch out for that blue algae. With the hot temps/humidity it is expected to be a big problem in Aug.
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Don't forget to watch out for that blue algae. With the hot temps/humidity it is expected to be a big problem in Aug.
Thanks everybody. We have been training late in the evenings. He also gets visits from other dogs and they run around pretty good together. I may try out the bike riding however I am nervous about his feet.
Just remember .... if the pavement is too hot for your feet, it's going to be too hot for him!Quote:
Originally Posted by Sudsee
Wow.....some GREAT stuff on conditioning! I don't "run" my dogs in the heat simply because it can do more damage than good although pointers are genetically superior in this regard which is why they are so prevalent in the southern USA as well as fierce competitors in major events which are held under grueling conditions. As was already mentioned, colour plays a huge part but genetics even more-so.
Swimming is an excellent form of conditioning in our heat.
When I was competing, I used to "road" my dogs. This is again supported by an earlier comment that shared, "Frequent short workouts rather than longer draining sessions."
Weight training for dogs is something I developed to give my little 26 pound Brittany an edge over those muscular big pointers that are roaded from horseback. I found it interesting how many of those pointers/setters were in incredible shape. The other observation was that their necks were THE most muscular part of their body. ??? The dynamics of roading where the load is angled above the dog is.....compromised.
That said, I do not support putting ANY weight directly on the dog's body either. It might be OK for foo-foo dogs walking in the park but not for our relentless athletes. At worst it's an accident waiting to happen. In the least, it will load their joints unnaturally which may come back to haunt you later on.
As a side-bar, note that as much as you condition your dog here in Ontario, if you were to take that dog to south Texas you would be disappointed at how quickly your dog will fatigue. Acclimatization is a big part of endurance. Temp, humidity, altitude (to sea level) and the inherent nasty local cover will humble the most fit dog/handler. You almost need to have the dog(s) down there well in advance to adjust.
Ugo the weighted dog pack works extremely well and I support it 100% and know many people that use it today. The off season for sledders will use dog packs for outdoor activities such as camping and is used extensively throughout the world. You would not use the dog pack on puppies because of the main reason soft joints and still growing. I have trained many dogs in harness starting at six months of age with mainly cart training (short training runs). It is a gradual process and great care must be taken not to hurt the pup and a trainer of sled dogs should be consulted that have the experience(mentor). Weight training is a must for conditioning working animals such as ones competing in sprint racing, mid-distance or long distance. My labs in the very near future will be weight trained for conditioning because I have experienced the difference it can make in sled dog competition. RUFFWEAR is a fantastic dog pack manufacturer that many people I know use. Check it out.
Sudsee, have you shaved him down? In the summer I give Sadie a once-over with a #10 clipper, which leaves just about nothing. It makes a big difference in the pace they can set and sustain in the heat.
Re short sessions daily, I think of this just like human athletes: you don't train for a marathon by running marathons at your race pace. You run shorter distances and you do most of your runs at an easy pace. Regular exercise throughout the summer is going to keep that base fitness there so the dog can adapt to longer and more intense exercise more easily and with less chance of injury.
I am facing this problem myself this year, as I've been away most of the summer and the dog hasn't had her usual training.
Haven't shaved him right down, Welsh. I have trimmed him a lot since winter but I have been thinking about shaving him right down as he absolutely hates the heat. He stays out in a shaded kennel most days so I would think he should be conditioned to it but in the middle of the day he would rather be inside.
In the summer, swimming is the answer. I have a black dog, he doesn't handle heat... at all. Just like me lol.
Thanks Yellow Dog. I looked at the product albeit briefly. It wouldn't address my needs as a conditioning tool for a number of reasons. One being that, wearing anything of this nature when conditioning in the summer heat is counter productive for my personal training regimen. Secondly, I'm not sure - even in cooler weather - what this item accomplishes?
There are strategic muscle groups that I like to target when conditioning. That's why I mentioned that traditional roading produces massive neck muscles. Not really sure how that serves a bird dog's stamina?
Weight training is not predominantly about cardio. That is a completely separate process that I like to dovetail into the weight training. The ideal goal is to have a dog that is very muscled (which can actually slow a dog down). I then increase the cardio and let the intersection of the 2 find that dynamic peak for a given dog. Typically, as the weight training is weaned off, the cardio is ramped up. When you get it just right......it's something to behold! Power, grace, endurance which ultimately means your dog can use his olfactory senses more efficiently which usually translates into more finds!
If you look at my website "Photo Gallery", there is a Gordon setter - 2nd from the top that was one of the last CKC Open Field Trial Champions here in Ontario. Even though he has a medium coat, you can see the results of the aforementioned program by way of his musculature. This Gordon also had placements in OSD horseback stakes in American Field against pointers. The greatest challenge with him at trials was producing his finds. There were times when I would find the bird a LONG way from his nose. Not any easy task when you are trying to find a pen-raised Bobwhite.
One thing bot mentioned yet is getting your dogs' Thyroid tested. If you say your dog fatigues easily, there could be more to it than just unconditioned muscles.
I would do this first to rule any thryroid issues out ( wouldn't hurt to get his ticker checked too) and then focus on the conditioning.