Conditioning your hard working hunting dog?

[musher92648]

For many folks bird hunting season is not too far away. You and your favorite canine can pound the brush or woods in search of your favorite gamebird.
What have you been doing to condition your dog since last season?
Walks?
Running?
Free running?
Not training now but conditioning.
How far or how long and how many days in a week do you get out with your dog. Do you walk, use a bike, ATV?
What will you do next week?
Then ask the question, "Is my dog ready for 4 days in a row of hard hunting chasing roosters in S. Dakota. Grouse in Minnesota? Quail in Kansas?"
I would love to hear some stories and some examples of results............Good and not so Good>

[hemlock]

I have a young Vizsla and a 2-3 year old english Pointer. It's been so hot that I don't push them too much, but it's that time again. I try to get them running free a few times a week and they chase eachother around the yard (electric fence) so they stay in good shape. I had the pointer out a few weeks ago on a hot day and toward the end of the run she ran into a pole in some tall grass and she just dropped over. I thought she was dead so I ran over and she was just layng there resting. She just got knocked over and didn't feel like getting up right away. I'm thinking of getting a chest plate after that one. I don't want to see either of them get skewered or cut up.

[wheels]

My boys have about an acre of fenced yard, but with that I get them out to free run on a section by my house a few times a week. I walk a 1.75 mile loop through the hills where they are basically in a full blast hunt scenario. In summer heat, even in the evening that distance seems to wipe the dogs out. At least for that night anyway.

As I get closer that will have to get kicked up a notch. A few times a week doesn't prepare them for whats coming.

I also try to start feeding them a touch extra to put some weight on them. Not excessive weight, but I like to start the season with them hearty. Within weeks of the season starting I can't keep weight on them for anything.

I try to hunt nearly every weekend from the end of October to the end of December. A weekend or two in January if I can squeeze it in also.

[Skeeter Mike]

If your dogs like to swim, it is the VERY BEST way to get them in shape. Especially when it's hot out. It's a total body workout that is easy on the joints. Especially on older dogs. My 12 year old Springer is in darn good shape and he swims hard twice a week. He'll be ready to go this Fall.

[musher92648]

Hey Wheels,
What are you feeding your dogs? Do you free feed? Once a day? Twice? Do they eat everything you offer?
Lloyd

[fireboat]

Retired 60 +yr old hunter with an 8yr old Brittany. We both hunt till we get tired, rest a day or two and go out again. 90 day season where I live. By the 2nd or 3rd week we're both in pretty good shape. The dog and I get out 2 or 3 times a week for a half day hunt, that's enough for us.

[Suzuki]

I dont get to pheasant hunt that much on any given season. Varies from year to year. I find that air temp while hunting is the single biggest factor that determines how long my dog can keep going safely.

The best method I know of is to send you dog to top pro dog trainer over the summer. I always costs me 500 per month but my dog comes back conditioned and rip snorting ready to go whether I'm running him off horseback in a Field trial as I am this weekend trial or hunting him off of an ATV. I don't have the time to run a dog every day and for 1500 bucks for 3 months the money is well spent. If you got an expensive boat, truck and shotgun.....what is a measly 1500.00 bucks?

[wheels]

Originally Posted by musher92648

Hey Wheels,
What are you feeding your dogs? Do you free feed? Once a day? Twice? Do they eat everything you offer?
Lloyd

I feed them Eukanuba Performance. I feed them twice a day, and yes, they plow through everything I give them. I typically feed 7 to 8 cups per day, per dog. During hunting season, I've taken that as high as 12 cups after returning home from hunts for a few days to build back up for the next weekend.

[lacywbosu]

Being a retired 60 yr old has its advantages. One is plenty of time to throw the dummy in the pool. It is so good for him. I get in and swim my laps also. Acer gets fed twice a day, seems to have more energy. My buddy has a pond that we visit. I hide the scented dummies and work on hand signals. He squirrel hunts with me. I don't permit him to chase or hunt the squirrels. He works on healing, sitting, staying, and fetching the shot squirrel.