RE: How do you get your dogs in shape, does walking behind a truck or 4 wheeler cause problems?

A

akersrob

New member
hello,

I don't have enough land to get a dog in shape. so we go out train the standard stuff each day, but little time or area to actually run. We (dog and I) will be taking part in a 2 week trip in late october, and we will be hunting hopefully all day. I am trying to figure out to make sure the dog is in enough shape to do it.

But I do have access to a few low/almost no traffic back dirt roads. Are there any issues with having someone sit on the tailgate, and allow my dog to follow start slow ad build up to a couple of miles?

I hear some people have a special leads and a bicycle, but I don't have either.

So any ideas, or "Oh no never do that" advice would be welcome. I know its hot, and lots of breaks now and lots of water.

Rob
 
Personally I dont let my current dog run next to my vehicle, I get out and walk with her "keeping her in gun range" so she is never tempted to chase a vehicle while hunting ditches or goofing in the yard. Running on gravel is a good way to toughen their paws so you have less issues during the season.
 
That1uncle1776 said:
Personally I dont let my current dog run next to my vehicle, I get out and walk with her "keeping her in gun range" so she is never tempted to chase a vehicle while hunting ditches or goofing in the yard. Running on gravel is a good way to toughen their paws so you have less issues during the season.
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yeah I was worred about that to. basically I am teaching them to chase cars.
 
I have never had a GSP that I could out last. My dog gets into condition the same as I do.....hunting. We'll when my Dude was 11 and older, (his last 2 seasons) and I was not in my 60s, I could hang with him. Now, a dog about 9 or 10 years old would be just my speed most outings, at least the first 30 minutes anyway!
 
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akersrob said:
hello,

I don't have enough land to get a dog in shape. so we go out train the standard stuff each day, but little time or area to actually run. We (dog and I) will be taking part in a 2 week trip in late october, and we will be hunting hopefully all day. I am trying to figure out to make sure the dog is in enough shape to do it.

But I do have access to a few low/almost no traffic back dirt roads. Are there any issues with having someone sit on the tailgate, and allow my dog to follow start slow ad build up to a couple of miles?

I hear some people have a special leads and a bicycle, but I don't have either.

So any ideas, or "Oh no never do that" advice would be welcome. I know its hot, and lots of breaks now and lots
Click to expand...

akersrob said:
hello,

I don't have enough land to get a dog in shape. so we go out train the standard stuff each day, but little time or area to actually run. We (dog and I) will be taking part in a 2 week trip in late october, and we will be hunting hopefully all day. I am trying to figure out to make sure the dog is in enough shape to do it.

But I do have access to a few low/almost no traffic back dirt roads. Are there any issues with having someone sit on the tailgate, and allow my dog to follow start slow ad build up to a couple of miles?

I hear some people have a special leads and a bicycle, but I don't have either.

So any ideas, or "Oh no never do that" advice would be welcome. I know its hot, and lots of breaks now and lots of water.

Rob
Click to expand...
Put him on a leash and walk both of you into shape
Swimming is also a great way to condition the pup
 
Took mine to where we hunt couple times just to see what crops are planted where.
And swimming
 

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Dogs get retriever practice in pond, hard swimming. Younger dogs do agility. There are agility classes and trials all over now, easy to find one. Also good for me and I am 73.
 
I try to keep my dog in good condition year round. Mainly get her out running in the fields for a half hour or more most every day of the week. I'm fortunate there are fields next to the walking/bike trail near my house. I try to maintain her weight within a couple of pounds throughout the year.
 
I have several sizeable green spaces I use for running the dogs.

One is a golf course built on 160 acres. In the summer I'm out there almost every weekday morning. I walk or run, and the dogs are off leash. I do this when it's light enough for me to keep track of them but there are no golfers out there. The course is 90% walled/fenced in, so there isn't much risk. They learn pretty quickly to ignore the greens keeping crews.

Another is the undeveloped part of a cemetary. It's probably 40 acres and it's planted to brome. I use it less frequently--more for weekend runs. When they're young it's a great place to teach them to keep track of me. They'll be ranging out in front of me and I'll make a sharp turn without saying anything (90 degrees or more). They learn pretty quick to watch me.

Then there are a couple of "parks" that have baseball fields. We use these to play fetch. Again, early in the morning there is seldom conflict with baseball. They're also 90+% fenced in, reducing risk. One of these spots has some undeveloped ground towards the back that was the fallout area for some now-decommissioned trap and skeet fields. We sometimes go out there and walk or play fetch. The grass is a little taller there, which forces them to mark a little better and use their noses to find the dummy. Playing fetch at these places isn't training; retrieving the ball or dummy is just a way to get a good work out for the dogs in a limited amount of space, and they to really have fun.

None of these places are "officially" for running or training dogs, but I've encountered grounds keepers at all of them and they've never said a word.
 
I'm in south Florida. This time of year my only option is swimming or my Springer will overheat. Any field work has to be near water so he doesn't get in trouble. As far as stamina iI don't think anything is better than swimming.thumbnail_IMG_3969.jpg
 
Gators are definitely a big concern. Where I train my dog there are a couple of smaller ponds that we keep the gators out of. I live on a golf course that's loaded with gators, I see one almost every day. I don't duck hunt locally for that reason.
 
Walkers Run said:
Gators are definitely a big concern. Where I train my dog there are a couple of smaller ponds that we keep the gators out of. I live on a golf course that's loaded with gators, I see one almost every day. I don't duck hunt locally for that reason.
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Well people are concerned about wolves and brown bears but gators and snakes scare the chit out of me. I’ll take furry predators any day over gators and snakes.
 
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