conditioning in the heat

[setterguy]

The weathermen/women are saying highs in the 90's today so what a better time to remind everyone to watch those dogs when conditioning in the heat. Small frequent drinks are much better than large gulps. If you do suspect that a dog has overheated cool them down as soon as possible, spray them with water, throw them in the lake, anything to get thier body temparature down. Try to do as much as you can in the early hours when the heat isn't as intense or take them for a swim. Lets be careful with our hunting buddies this summer, lord knows they don't know when to stop themselves.

P.S. It is critical to try and prevent a dog from overheating, because they are much more liable to have it happen again.

[fishnhooks]

What a great reminder for all!
Thanks,
"hooks"

[Redlantern]

Just wondering if any of you bird dog trainers bait the water so they drink more? I do that with my sled dogs, it's amazing how a little flavor in the water will get them to drink up.

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Erik Torgerson

[setterguy]

Hey Red what do you use for flavoring? I never thought about doing that. When hunting in hot weather I will use a protien poweder in the water but thats only because they won't eat for 3-4 days on a hunting trip, birds and sleep is about all they want to do.

[Redlantern]

I put about a cup of National kibble in a bucket and fill it with water. In less than ten minutes it's flavored the water. I also will use the juice from the meat I feed. Some mushers use canned catfood, salmon or dog food. I typically will water the dogs heavy in the morning when I plan to run in the evening and give them maybe a quart just before I hook up my dogs. Then they get more when we return. Depending on the heat and amount of exercise involved, sometimes I give them water during a run.
I love to seem them drink. They also let out some good burps afterwards.
I've never had a dog overheat but it sure worries me. Most my dogs have very heavy coats so I try to limit my training to when it's less than 50 degrees out. I'm going to be getting into some alaskan/gsp crosses soon so hopefully I can get training them earlier in the season. The downside is the food intake is going to be going WAY up. I'll also have to start bringing some dog jackets with me on camping trips.

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Erik Torgerson

[quacker attacker]

GUY'S I KNOW I'M ADDING TO THIS A LITTLE LATE,BUT THE TOPPIC IS A GOOD ONE. I SPENT A WEEK PHEASANT HUNTING IN SODAK LAST FALL, AND THE TEMPERATURES WERE IN THE 90'S. WE CHANGED OUR HUNTING TACTICS COMPLETELY TO KEEP OUR DOGS ALIVE. WE ONLY HUNTED FIELDS THAT HAD DAM POOLS ON THEM,WITH THE SHORTEST DRIVES WE COULD AFFORD. THEY SWAM AT EVERY STOP. I HAD HARMONICA BEARS SETTER WITH ME AND I'M SURE HE WAS WORRIED SICK. SAD TO SAY I WAS WITNESS TO SOME OF THE WORST DOG HANDLER'S BORN ON THIS EARTH. I SAW AT LEAST 3 DEAD DOG'S ON TAILGATES,WITH THEIR OWNER STANDING NEAR, HEAD IN HANDS,WONDERING WHAT THEY DID WRONG. THE LOCAL VET HAD HIS HANDS FULL, AND SO WAS HIS REFER. THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR WORKING YOUR DOG IN EXTREME CONDITIONS AND NOT BEING PREPARED. I HATE TO SAY IT BUT MOST OF THE GUYS WITH THE LOSSES HAD THE BEST RIGS,MOST EXPENSIVE OUTFITS, THE $2000 DOG, WITH THE HAND MADE INDIANA JONES HAT, TALKING ON THEIR CELL PHONE WHILE IN THE FIELD, WITH A 12 0Z. 99CENT WATER BOTTLE FOR THE DOG. SORRY BUT THIS REALLY WORKS ME UP. EXTREME TIPS- BRING POWDERED GATORADE DILUTE WITH THEIR DRINKING WATER LIGHTLY. HELPS REPLACE ELECTROLITES AND STOPS CRAMPING. ASPIRIN-DOGS CAN HAVE IT IN SMALL DOSES. HELPS THIN BLOOD,REDUCES SORENESS OF PADS AND MAKES IT ALOT EASIER FOR THAT STIFF PUPPY TO RISE IN THE MORNING AFTER SLEEPING IN THE KENNEL. DANGER, NOTHING OTHER THAN REAL ASPIRIN. TYLENOL,ADVIL AND OTHERS LIKE IT CAN KILL A DOG. SALT-IT DOES THE SAME FOR THEM AS IT DOES TO US. IT WILL HELP THEIR BODIES HOLD WATER LONGER. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WATER. WATER BY THE GALLONS. BRING YOUR KIDDY POOL HALF FULL IF YOU HAVE THE TRUCK, BODY TEMPERATURE IS STILL THE MAKE OR BREAK.