Physical Conditioning for hunting/trial dogs

Might be worth sharing how as individuals we condition our dogs as we get ready to hunt or attend a trial. We have numerous people here with wide sweeping backgrounds and various types of dogs. No doubt this should concern us all to maximize a dog's ability and hopefully avoid soft tissue injuries or worse.

Warm up/cool down activities have also become very important as we learn more about the physical side of dog anatomy. For those of us who have had ACL surgery done, it has become routine.

In retriever training many have started routines prior to any retrieving exercise and subsequent cool down periods.

Your ideas?

I don't do anything very extraordinary. One tip:

When my dogs have been sitting around more than usual - like this interesting winter- on the first above zero, sunny day we don't go running for 2 hours. They would be glad to , but I build up to hours of hunting by increasing the time out from January to March.

In the cold weather and heavy snow I try and get the gang on the treadmill for 20-30 minutes and then I put on the snow shoes and go for 30-60 minute walk. I like to give them a massage once a month or more often as needed (especially if they have been working hard). A couple of years ago I had the need to take one of mine to a chiro/acupuncturist and decided to take the others to just have them checked. I think I would take them sooner than later again if I had any injuries. I think there is a lot more to keeping them in shape and injury free than just exercise, which also includes diet and regular exercise as apposed to the weekend warrior routine.
deb

I walk my dog with another older friend, about 2 hours 6 days/wk, no matter the weather. He is 6 mths old, lots of energy and doesn't mind low temperatures, as long as he can run around and wrestle his older pal. During the walks, I often check on him, giving him a full body rub, check the paws and clean the ice if necessary. When the time comes to go, we just know he is ready and than we had home. Good rub again with a dry towel, food available and only after that some water. he can have more water after he calms down after the walk. He started building up stamina, speed and strength and I am very happy with his progress. Dogs will let you know when they had enough and are ready to go home. Find a place where they can run around, smell the wildlife tracks and listen to the crows.

I think this is a great thread and hope more people post. I haven't ever thought about it much since my dog is always so high energy but today was the first we got out for a walk in the bush in the past couple of weeks. He was noticeably slower and more tired then during bird season and the only reason I can see would be his conditioning is suffering from being cooped up in the house. I cut our walk way shorter than what he is used to as he was obviously fatigued.

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Originally Posted by Grasu200

I walk my dog with another older friend, about 2 hours 6 days/wk, no matter the weather. He is 6 mths old

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That seems quite excessive for a 6 month old puppy?

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Originally Posted by Cass

That seems quite excessive for a 6 month old puppy?

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so you are telling me you never left your puppy play for so long with a pal? Play is never excessive for a puppy ... ask yours...

Not 6 days a week no. I'm sure he would've if I let him. Doesn't mean its good for his joints. I love wings and beer but that doesn't make it good for me lol.

try replacing the beer and wings with two hours in the gym.....just joking - not the best of examples.....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Grasu200

I walk my dog with another older friend, about 2 hours 6 days/wk, no matter the weather. He is 6 mths old, lots of energy and doesn't mind low temperatures, as long as he can run around and wrestle his older pal. During the walks, I often check on him, giving him a full body rub, check the paws and clean the ice if necessary. When the time comes to go, we just know he is ready and than we had home. Good rub again with a dry towel, food available and only after that some water. he can have more water after he calms down after the walk. He started building up stamina, speed and strength and I am very happy with his progress. Dogs will let you know when they had enough and are ready to go home. Find a place where they can run around, smell the wildlife tracks and listen to the crows.

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Frost bitten ear tips, testicles, nipples, tail tips etc. can be expensive to heal. Under -10 and we stay in.

I don't my dog run hard two days in a row. Athletes( sports conditioning) are clear that the same muscles should not be worked two days in a row. A day in between is needed for muscle healing or you /dog run the risk of a muscle tear.
In the summer we run hard one day and swim the next. In the winter , every other day we work out hard... even on one knee. :)