The long winter is over and now it is time to think about getting the dogs into condition. They train over the winter, but their training is not as intense or as frequent as during the hunt test season. In winter most of their training is confined to flat land. They may get some resistance training running through fluffy snow and that helps, but is not the same as running through heavy cover or up and down hills. We also need to prepare them to work in hot weather because spring will soon give way to summer and most of our tests take place when temperatures are over 80F degrees.
I have seen people sit in their car with their dog and the air conditioning going on hot days at hunt tests. They take their dog out from that environment to run the dog. This is one of the worst things you can do. It can lead to heat stroke, injury, or worse. Conditioning also carries over to hunting season which for us starts in September with Grouse. Grouse hunting requires the dogs to use a lot of energy and often in warm weather conditions. Some hunters take their dogs from the couch to the field and then wonder why their dogs are having a tough time keeping up. It is not really fair to the dog and is something that could be remedied with the proper conditioning. Conditioning can help to increase a dog’s stamina and reduce risk of injury.
Our spring conditioning program usually consists of finding hills and heavier cover for the dogs to run through. Once Summer kicks in, we make sure they spend at least part of their day outside in hot weather (providing adequate shade and water of course). We also check their weight. All of our dogs are in an acceptable weight range, but we want them to lose a couple of pounds so they are at the low end of the range. We have cut back their food a bit and between a bit less food and increased exercise, we expect that they will drop the weight pretty fast.
Here are a few pictures of the dogs working:
Thanks to SlimDoggy, MyGBGV Life, and To Dog with Love for the FitDog Friday Blog Hop!
We would also like to thank SlimDoggy, MyGBGV Life, and To Dog with Love for awarding us a FitDog Friday participation award. The brown dawgs are proud to be recognized as hunters! Thank you!
The Brown Dawgs sure are in tip top condition. So lovely to see how much they enjoy trying and working out.
Have a fabulous Friday.
Best wishes Molly
Always love the “bat ear” photos, Chessies on the fly. We are fortunate to have access to a bass pond and surrounding acreage. Pups headed out there today, sunny and warm. At 11 1/2, this
is Macha’s favorite activity, having a much younger girl in tow has kept her in shape!
Good exercise weather to all.
Funny how so many humans forget dogs are like people, need conditioning, can’t just get up and do it all in any weather. We are already noticing the toll low 70’s take on us with tracking and it is slower work than what you all do running.
I’m working on conditioning my own self.
Fabulous photos!!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Are you allowed to run your dogs in a hunt test wearing something like a cooling vest? I have cooling vests for both of my dogs, made by Ruffwear, for use in the summer months.
No you can’t per the rules. No collars (after Juniors) and no vests. They are hunting dogs and should be in condition.
I agree with you. I know too many people who are “weekend warriors” and don’t properly condition their dogs and then they get hurt. 🙁
Mr. N could use some conditioning too as we get closer to summer trials. I think he’s in pretty good shape but he could use some more experience running in hot weather.
I love the picture of Storm’s ears flying! No matter how much conditioning we try to do to ease Barley into warmer weather, she always acts like she’s going to perish (and we don’t even have air conditioning–so it’s not like she has a huge difference between indoors and outdoors!). It finally got up into the 50s and 60s (and most days not very sunny) this week and after a mile she was starting to drag. I think we’ll be breaking out her cooling coat sooner rather than later!
such a important part of training. I just shook my head when a client brought in a limping fat dog and said her friend is training for a marathon and thought she would take her dog running 2 miles and they wondered why it was limping. urgh
Oh I wish I could run with the brown dawgs :o) To be in condition is very important, my dad always thinks he only has to push a button and I’m ready for any event…hope he will start to work with me soon, that we are ready for the show … :o)
This sounds very important for dogs that do what yours do, and I’m sure it feels good to get out there and get them ready for the summer weather.
Smart thinking on your part to condition your pups to the warmer weather. I wish more people would use common sense as far as the well being of their dogs is concerned!
Nice article! Even if it isn’t hot, that is temperatures in the 60s and 70s, dogs will become overheated if they aren’t used to it and conditioning plays a big part in how they cope with heat. Our dogs walk on the treadmill and swim in the summer to keep conditioned.
Amazing pictures and some very good information. Hugs and nose kisses
It helps to keep them conditioned, we walk whether it’s hot or cold and simply make adjustments when needed. 🙂 I love the pic with Storm’s ears straight up.