Now is the time!!!

[gspman]

We have about a month and a half until grouse and woodcock opener and a little over 2 months until pheasant opener.

If you haven't put any conditioning into your dog now is the time to start. Start slow and build up. Get that dog to it's ideal weight and in prime physical condition.

If you need to do gun intro or bird intro basic training now is the time to start. Put some obedience into your dog so you'll have more control on it while hunting.

If your dog has retrieving issues now would be a good time to start a trained retrieve program. It usually takes 6-8 weeks to do so about the time you wrap it up you can transition to the field.

Now is the time to start getting your pooch ready for hunting season. Don't sit on your arse the next 2 months and then wonder why your dog isn't working worth a nickle. Put some sweat equity into it. Your reward will be on opening day.

[setterguy]

Also might be the time to get some of us owners out and get into a little hunting shape also. I know it takes me a few weeks to get my woods legs back.

[springerspeed]

What are you talking about? We are all fine sculpted specimans are we not.

[nater]

I hear that, I should be getting more exercise instead of sitting in the boat!

About getting the dog ready for fall. I have a 8 month old lab and he is getting the hang of healing and waiting until I say go on retrieves, but especially water retrieves he drops the bumper before bringing it to me. I tried correcting it by commanding hold, but to no avail.

That and some more firm sit/come commands off leash definitely need some refining. What you recommend for a method of the trained retrieve and any refining of the off leash commands?

Nate

[gspman]

I've been jogging 3 days a week and it won't be enough for the way I hunt. The dog goes with me and with my wife when she goes. Not enough for the dog either. I might get the roading harness out in late Aug/early Sept to put more muscle and endurance on her. I'm attempting the trained retrieve with my dog too. I may chronicle it and post it when I'm done.

[Powerstroke]

I'm also interested in trained retrieve. My dog has always found and returned birds very well. My problem is he won't pay a bit of attention to bumpers and other training dummies so it makes it very difficult to train other skills when he ignores the bumpers.

We've been getting lots of exercise in, but be mindful of the weather. This heat has been brutal on me and the dog. Bring lots of water and beware the signs of heat stroke for you and your buddy.

[gspman]

My dog has the exact opposite problem. She'll retrieve anything but a bird, except when there's competition from another dog. I aim to correct that in the next 2 months.

[caseymcq]

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What are you talking about? We are all fine sculpted specimans are we not.

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You are exactly right, I have been sculpted in the form of one of those Budha statues.

[Powerstroke]

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What are you talking about? We are all fine sculpted specimans are we not.

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You are exactly right, I have been sculpted in the form of one of those Budha statues.

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LOL I almost fell off my chair.