GSP is running out of steam, advice needed

EEK

New member
My 2 year old GSP doesnt seem to have the energy he had last year, i keep him in great shape with regular training and exersize at least 5 days a week, the only things i have changed are i got him cut and switched food to Diamond all natural extreme athelete food. The dog starts out fine but after a couple of hours has lost most of his range and is wiped out, it has been hot here, mostly above 80 and we have been out every day, anywere from 2 hours to all day. I keep the dog well watered in the field. Last year an 8 hour day was no problem. any advice would hepl. Thanks, EEk
 
I suspect it is the heat. Even when watering them, they heat up and it takes them out of them.
 
One issue is body size and growth. This is still a young developing dog, putting on skeletal size and frame, yet to fill in muscle. Combined with the heat might be a simple reason. I like simple reasons, as long as there is evidence to support it. This could also be a bacteria, worms, diabetes, or hypogluecemia. If all else is normal, eating, drinking, attitude, etc. I would assume the best and simple answer. Might try to phase in a dog food with denser nutrition, or cook up a ration of ground beef, rice, and vegetables, feed as usual prior to excercise, take a mid day break and feed again.
 
More than likely the heat could be the issue. What food where you using before? Also like Old & New said several other micro possibilities. Would also like too make sure the dog current with a heartworm regime.
 
Are you in a Lymes prone area? How are his stools with the extreme athlete?
 
A heart worm test might be in order.
 
My dog has grown forn 55 to 75 pounds since last season, with the last 10 in the last 30 days as i am swimming and running him constantly, i keep him wormed but i will have him tested for heart worm. usually his stools are great with this food but i noticed they were really loose yesterday. I orderd some Zoom dog to see if that might help. Today its alot cooler so i will see how he does. Thanks for all the advice and keep it comeing
 
You might just want to slow down on the excercise. It probably has a lot to do with the heat, so don't overdo it with him. 3-4 times a week is plenty for an inshape dog, probably too much in 80 degree heat. If you have a GPS, put it on him and monitor how much running he's doing.
 
You might just want to slow down on the excercise. It probably has a lot to do with the heat, so don't overdo it with him. 3-4 times a week is plenty for an inshape dog, probably too much in 80 degree heat. If you have a GPS, put it on him and monitor how much running he's doing.

i agree, just from what you have stated you may be overworking and performance will deteriorate or worse unless you slow down some. Run in the early am if possible to avoid hot temps in the middle of the day if you must run at all. Try every other day with a good rest day in between. Plenty of hydration, you need to get the dog to drink somehow even if they are not interested at the time. If they won't drink much try adding water to their kibble, that works for me.
 
Had some blood tests done today and every thing was normal, vet recomented that i change to a lower protien dog food as the dog needs to drop about 8 pounds. I hunted him today in cool, windy weather and he did much better, found my boy a nice rooster. Thanks again to all on the forum.
 
Hence why I asked you what you were feeding before the switch. Hope all goes well.
 
BTW... I don't know anything about the type of food you changed to, but food can have a HUGE affect on the dog. Ive seen what 3 different types of food can do for my dog when shes with the pro trainer the last 3 summers at camp. Believe me, not all foods are created equally. Even some of the very well know brands don't stand up when it gets hot out. My pup was skinny, and didn't have a ton of energy in the heat when she was on Pro Plan Performance. It was fine in the winter, but not in the summer. She's on Eukanuba 30/20 now and she looks like a brick shit house. Im planning on keeping her on the Eukanuba when she gets home, even though the PP would be fine since Ill have her home when its cooler outside. I think my trainer switches between 30/20 and 28/18 depending on the time of year.... Eukanuba is good stuff from what IVe seen . Much better then PP.
 
Last edited:
I went to the Dianond all natural due to the 4 star rating online, there isnt much for dog food available here, i would probably feed Native but its not available out here, i have been through several brands with varing results. I should be able to tell quickly as we hunt almost every day till waterfowl ends in January.
 
My dog has grown forn 55 to 75 pounds since last season, with the last 10 in the last 30 days

How much are you feeding daily?

A 10 lb weight gain in 30 days is quite excessive for a dog, but I find it peculiar that you said you were exercising daily and still was he gained weight??:confused:

You need to feed according to body shape. Don't ever go by the quantities on the back of the bag as that is just a generalization. If the dog is gaining weight, reduce his rations until a desired look is achieved. Above all else and I can't stress this enough is to MAKE SURE the dog is hydrated....
 
Last edited:
Had some blood tests done today and every thing was normal, vet recomented that i change to a lower protien dog food as the dog needs to drop about 8 pounds. I hunted him today in cool, windy weather and he did much better, found my boy a nice rooster. Thanks again to all on the forum.

That's good news! You have a great season together to look forward to. May I recommend a dog food? I have fed both my Brittanies Purina One chicken and rice formula, 26% protein and 16% fat, which is available in any Wal-Mart or grocery store. Its wide availablity means it is relatively cheap and your dog will always have the same food no matter where you are. My dogs have tremendous field stamina, beautiful coats, perfect stools, and are complimented for their muscles and general good health on their annual vet exams. You and your dog have a great season!
 
I carry alot of water in my Wingworks vest and i make my son carry his own so there is plenty for the dog, i give him a drink about every 15 minuets. I had atribted the weight gain to all the exsercise we were doing, swimming in the river 1 hour a day and running him using the ATV, i probably over did it. I will see if this food helps if not i will change again, the lower tems have made the dog alot happier. I know i wouldnt have the great dog i have without all the help here.:cheers:
 
I had atribted the weight gain to all the exsercise we were doing, swimming in the river 1 hour a day and running him using the ATV, i probably over did it.

Forgive me if I am missing something here, :eek: he GAINED weight with all that exercise?

I only say that as normally with quality exercise a dog will lose excess weight if fed the correct amount. I don't think that switching around all the time to different feeds is going to help your problem and may only make things worse. The Diamond Naturals line is fine as long as the dog is not having issues (loose stools, low energy, poor coat etc..). As I stated the key will be finding the right amount to feed to attain a certain look or body shape that looks healthy. The old saying you should be able to feel some ribs fairly easy and if you have a hard time the dog is probably overweight. You can also look at the dog from behind and above and you should see somewhat of an hour glass shape if the dog is good shape. These are just some of the generalizations you can use to judge what the correct body shape should look like.
 
Forgive me if I am missing something here, :eek: he GAINED weight with all that exercise?

I only say that as normally with quality exercise a dog will lose excess weight if fed the correct amount. I don't think that switching around all the time to different feeds is going to help your problem and may only make things worse. The Diamond Naturals line is fine as long as the dog is not having issues (loose stools, low energy, poor coat etc..). As I stated the key will be finding the right amount to feed to attain a certain look or body shape that looks healthy. The old saying you should be able to feel some ribs fairly easy and if you have a hard time the dog is probably overweight. You can also look at the dog from behind and above and you should see somewhat of an hour glass shape if the dog is good shape. These are just some of the generalizations you can use to judge what the correct body shape should look like.

Yep, he didnt look that heavy till i tried to put his vest on, an XL avery boaters vest BARELY fit, i dont like changing food as a rule but i havent found what you guys are saying i need. He went fron 75 to 68 the first week of hunting (2 days youth waterfowl and into youth phez) i could feel ribs easy but he wasnt much of a hour glass, i thought it was muscle from all the exercise but i did notice a change in his running speed and duration. Now the free choice food is over i hope he will shed some more weight, i will be working him hard for the next few days. If his energy doesnt get back to normal i guess i will switch food again.
 
Last edited:
Yep, he didnt look that heavy till i tried to put his vest on, an XL avery boaters vest BARELY fit, i dont like changing food as a rule but i havent found what you guys are saying i need. He went fron 75 to 68 the first week of hunting (2 days youth waterfowl and into youth phez) i could feel ribs easy but he wasnt much of a hour glass, i thought it was muscle from all the exercise but i did notice a change in his running speed and duration. Now the free choice food is over i hope he will shed some more weight, i will be working him hard for the next few days. If his energy doesnt get back to normal i guess i will switch food again.

Im not saying that this is you, but most dogs I see are overweight, even the hunting dogs. You don't see muscles in the ribs.... Muscles are in the legs. You should see striations in the legs, and you should see ribs on their sides.
 
Back
Top