Waterfowl dogs...Off Season..

[thunderbolt125]

I'm a avid waterfowler and have a chocolate Lab that, i have been trainning seems forever...but alot of guys ask me what i do with her on the off season to keep her in shape and sharp for the up comming season...

1: Back yard Trainning Ussally Aleast Twice a week.. Obedience& Whistle sits etc...
2: Runs or walks- In Fields up to an hour...No concrete walking, not good for Bones or feet...
3:Boating and Swimming best thing for Dogs..they use every muscle in thier bodies.
4: Retrieving goes into all above in hotter weather the sessions are cut short....
5: Feedings 3 cups a day Proplan...remeber in summertime you have to watch the intake of youtr protein.....
Thats pretty much what,i do to keep my dog healthy and happy..
Remeber to take plenty of water as the weather gets hott dogs don't sweat like we do so they over heat faster and pant.....rember first aid kits while your out you never know whats going to happen.....

[Kt29]

Thanks for the info thunderbolt. That's good stuff. :)KT

[JerseyHunter]

Hey great read.

[4Pointer]

thanks for sharing

[6 Pt. Piney]

GREAT INFO

[thunderbolt125]

Well we're at it again...its that time of the year...we took Maggie out for some water work and land work and had a great time...we started on land for 15 mins and finished off in the water having her do 4 to 5 50 yard water retrieves, she loved it , we'll do this once a week to the season starts and light yard work also....Lets get them dogs in shape!!! Thunderbolt125





Here i think she's saying ok...I'm done!!!!

[bklgundogs]

Great way to keep your dog in shape but try shorter retrieves in running water like a river having them swim back to you against the current works a lot better. Start your dog about a month and a half or so on lining drills before season opens and run short blinds or multiple marks as well. Go back to basic to get them back in thier game.

[Duck Creek]

Any one here do Field Trials or Hunt tests

[thunderbolt125]

BKLG, I do river runs once in a while....since she's a young dog, i won't hunt her on the river till she's had a few seasons under her vest and she knows correcty, how to swim in currents, but yes swimming in currents does help a dog and builds good muscles. Thunderbolt125

[thunderbolt125]

Duck.....wish i could, but it takes alot of time and money and that would cut into my hunting time...