Conditioning a dog for hunting season

[Sudsee]

Hi Guys,
I have a welsh springer who typically moves at a fairly slow pace, even when hunting which I like. He will get his burst going after being cooped up for the work day. In this heat he tires quickly and I don't push him at all so he gets walked on and off leash and can run a large area every day and swam (light water work) a couple times a week.
I have found that once fall comes and we are hunting more often he can get pretty tired working a pheasant field or hunting rabbits (hope to do some grouse hunting this year) and I would like to get him into a bit better shape to maintain his speed.
I will not be doing anything until it cools down substantially but would like some ideas on what you do during the early fall to get them ready aside from training.
Thanks in advance

[vom Dufenshmirtz]

morning like today was cool enough, no need to wait for the winter.
Swimming is great and low impact on joints.
I run dogs with bicycle, make sure it's safe and don't run them on gravel - it's too hard on the pads, tears them up.
I know people use rollerblades too.

[dutchhunter]

how old is your dog ,,I run my behind the atv or the truck the hound stay in great shape all year .you can run them early in the morning at least 3 to 4 times a week ,I like to keep them in shape all year then trying to get them back into shape in the fall ,,Dutch

[yellow dog]

Hi Guys,
I have a welsh springer who typically moves at a fairly slow pace, even when hunting which I like. He will get his burst going after being cooped up for the work day. In this heat he tires quickly and I don't push him at all so he gets walked on and off leash and can run a large area every day and swam (light water work) a couple times a week.
I have found that once fall comes and we are hunting more often he can get pretty tired working a pheasant field or hunting rabbits (hope to do some grouse hunting this year) and I would like to get him into a bit better shape to maintain his speed.
I will not be doing anything until it cools down substantially but would like some ideas on what you do during the early fall to get them ready aside from training.
Thanks in advance

Sudsee if this is the pace the Welsh Springer typically works at more swimming or running beside your bike for conditioning may be best. Some will put a dog pack on there dog with a little extra weight for conditioning as well. At least this way the weight is distributed not to injure your dog. I would only add a 1 to 3lbs pounds until your dog gets use to the weight over weeks of training. I would typically train my sled dogs pulling a weighted training cart two days in a row with a day off. After about a month I would do training days with the weight removed from cart to do more free running and stretching out . The cart weight training muscles them up nicely as would a weighted dog pack. Free running in front or beside a bicycle allows them to stretch out and cover ground after your initial month of weight training. You can also begin to verbally control the speed of your dog by using simple voice commands. You will notice a big difference in your dog but another thing to remember is genetics plays a big part in it as well. I have worked show dog bloodlines(Siberian Husky) in harness and they do not come even close to working Siberian Husky bloodlines. I would think this would apply to most working dogs.

Basically use common sense while training in the heat. But your question was for Fall Training.

Good Luck

[finsfurfeathers]

Thing is if you want them to work hard 8 hours while hunting you got to exercise them the same in the off season. This time of year its hard as you only got a bit of time first thing in the morning and latter at night before the skitters get to bad. Swimming is good in the heat of the day. As we go on and days start cooling off exercise hours can be extended. Walks are ok however really doesn't build up stamina. I still like working them in the rough. I'm lucky as I got a pretty long and wide hydro right of way that's scrub and high grass that gives her a good work out.

[yellow dog]

Very few people can train dogs during the summer months except swimming to avoid heat stress. But I have also seen some working dogs handle the heat very well because of genetics. Some bloodlines I would avoid adding to my breeding program for the main reason they could not genetically handle heat well. So it would depend on your breed of dog and known genetics as well.

[swampsinger]

I have found frequency is far more important than duration. The dog or Hound will be a lot further ahead with 3, 2hr workouts spaced out thru the week than 1 6hr workout on the weekend. This regime will build a Hound up rather than break them down. This type of program helps fight dehydration and kidney problems. I find the biggest factor with stamina in the heat is the Hounds weight. Generally speaking, the physique of a Kenyan long distance runner is what your after.The downside is you might have to suffer the slings and arrows of the "do gooders" with comments like "your dogs to skinny" or worse "do you starve your dog to make it hunt harder".

[3 black dogs]

We train through the summer early morning or after diner not to much during the high heat time of the day. short sessions of land on hot days and the dogs are staked out in the shade to get their core temperature cooled off. if we end up training during high heat we check the water temp to ensure the water is not to warm shallow ponds heat up fast and can raise your dogs temperature quickly you may think your dog is safe but can possibly be over heating while in the water.

[Dakota Creek]

We train through the summer early morning or after diner not to much during the high heat time of the day. short sessions of land on hot days and the dogs are staked out in the shade to get their core temperature cooled off. if we end up training during high heat we check the water temp to ensure the water is not to warm shallow ponds heat up fast and can raise your dogs temperature quickly you may think your dog is safe but can possibly be over heating while in the water.

X's 2!

[krakadawn]

Totally agree, need to be careful with water temp, dogs can come out hot.

Colour of dog is another factor in heat absorption, my black dogs heat up quicker than my yellows.

I still train in some heat but keep distances shorter, NOT in high cover and fewer retrieves. Pick your times and always have cool fresh water.

Chris , you'll remember the National in Hamilton, dogs lived in air conditioning when they weren't on the line....the heat of July!