Roading

Dakotazeb

Dakotazeb

Well-known member
I have never done any roading with my dogs to condition them but my breeder/trainer is recommending roading them for 20 min at 8-10 mph. I woould apprieciate if anyone could share some pointers (do's and don'ts) on roading.
 
I have done it three different ways, one I ride the 4 wheeler and the dogs keep up with me, usually I start out pretty fast 15mph to 18 mph for .5 mile or so then slow to 10 mph. I do not let them become distracted. Two bought a harness and have the dogs pull me on my bicycle for ways and then cut them loose and have them keep up. Three have them run next to truck. It has usually went well except for the occasional slow woodchuck that they catch or if the neighbors chickens are out.
 
The term "roading" means different things to different people.

The way most bird dog pros do it is to get the dogs into a roading harness and have them pull against something ie. a roading rig attached to a 4 wheeler, atv, jeep, tractor, or from horseback. A person can also just put a dog in a good leather roading harness and have them pull while you take them for a walk. This way is good bc/ both their feet, legs, wind etc and yours get the benefit of the exercise.:)

NB
 
I like to take my dog running with me. Keeps us both in shape. If we don't go running there are dog training area by me that I let him run at and also get to do training as well. Now that I am back to working 60+ hours a week I am considering getting a treadmill for him. That way if I'm to tired he can still get his exercise.
 
I road mine once a week and I let them set the pace they run until they are done and they arent all done at the same time lab first then the britt and then the highplains pointer he is young and thinks he has to be the last one back in the truck I usually drive between 5 -10 mph and they set their own pace sometimes they really run and sometimes they loaf depends on the weather
 
I started running with my dog this past week. he seems to enjoy it alot and I still focus on keeping him within gun range so come this winter it'll be instinctive. It helps me stay in shape also.

I'm very relunctant to run my dog with my vehicle. 1. I don't wanna risk him veering infront of a tire and causing an accident. and 2. I don't think its a good idea to teach a dog to chase cars. Now I'm not saying that every dog that is run with their owner in a vehicle is gonna chase every car it sees or any for that matter. But I did have a scuba instructor that would have his dog run while he drove his truck. One day while I was at his shop outside of town on the highway, he let his dog out of his pen and the first car that drove by that dog was gone down the highway. Luckily he got his dog back shortly afterwards but theres only 2 things that happen to a dog that chases cars.
 
I agree with Kansashunting. I would not run my dog with a car or truck. I would hate for something to happen just because i could not see them. I run my dog (EP) with the fourwheeler I can watch him and let him set the pace. Ms Goldeneye runs three miles and she will put a backpack on him. It gets him into run mood not hunt mood.
 
kansashunting said:
I started running with my dog this past week. he seems to enjoy it alot and I still focus on keeping him within gun range so come this winter it'll be instinctive. It helps me stay in shape also.

I'm very relunctant to run my dog with my vehicle. 1. I don't wanna risk him veering infront of a tire and causing an accident. and 2. I don't think its a good idea to teach a dog to chase cars. Now I'm not saying that every dog that is run with their owner in a vehicle is gonna chase every car it sees or any for that matter. But I did have a scuba instructor that would have his dog run while he drove his truck. One day while I was at his shop outside of town on the highway, he let his dog out of his pen and the first car that drove by that dog was gone down the highway. Luckily he got his dog back shortly afterwards but theres only 2 things that happen to a dog that chases cars.
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I too am reluctant to run my dog with my vehicle for the same reasons you stateed. Not so much because they will learn to chase, but I'm afraid of running over one.

Don't have a 4-wheeler so that option is out. And I can't run anymore due to some lower spine degeneration that inflames my ciatic nerve if I run. Guess I might have to think about getting a bicycle
 
A bicycle would be ideal in my opion for your situation. You get the exercise and can easily set the pace and most importantly its cheap!
 
I am not a real fan of the roading thing either. Seems like a lot could go wrong. My wife likes to run so she takes them when she can. I must say that I probably could give them more conditioning prior to the season. They seem to do alright.
 
Zeb
What about the Road King?
 
kansashunting said:
A bicycle would be ideal in my opion for your situation. You get the exercise and can easily set the pace and most importantly its cheap!
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No doubt. I hadn't even considered a bicycle. I follow my dogs down the road letting them run too. I had my wife's corrigee (sp?) out last summer and she decided to take a break in front of my front tire. I killed her:(. It was a terrible tragedy at our house and I loved that dog very much. She just isn't an athlete and I let her get tired and wasn't paying attention.:mad: It hurts me badly to this day. Just don't do it with old dogs or dogs that are out of shape. Also, NEVER do it alone. Take someone on the passenger side so there are fewer blind spots.......don't end up in a situation you'll regret forever like I did.
 
I can understand the concerns with using a vehicle but have had great success doing so. Should be noted it is only with one dog as I don't think i would try it with two dogs. I also think it is not something every dog would be OK with doing.

I have not had an issue with him wanting to chase cars or anything like that. We have a very set routine and I think that has helped to not make him want to be a car chaser. We go to the same spot everytime to start and he first gets to run around for a few minutes and do his business before we start. once we start he stays right even with the driver side window. Most times he is on the berm of the road 6-8 foot away from the truck. I have not had a problem with him wanting to chase other things or follow his nose when we do it. I think he looks at it purelly as running not hunting mode and acts accordingly. We do 3-4 miles and keep increasing the frequency as it gets closer to season.

I really think the biggest thing is the dog and it's personality. It isn't for everyone. Also very isolated roads make it much easier.

Matt D
 
You're spot on Matt D. I do run multiple dogs at a time, but one at a time for inexperienced dogs makes perfect sense. My biggest mistake was not having an extra set of eyes, and the second biggy was running performance dogs with well, a stubby loafing dog.
 
You guys seem to be bashing me a little hard about the truck thing, so I guess a little further explanation is warranted. When I let the dog out the road is one lane path really and the area is a large creek bottom that is maintained by mowing. She takes off and usually is running 50 to 75 yards out in the grass area along the trees. She knows and wants to keep track of the truck and will run to a family members house about a mile away always in sight of the truck. She has been doing this for years and usually beats me to the house and is waiting for me. I hope this is a little better explanation I was starting to feel like MMD and the land deal you guys have been chewing him up on.

I have not tried this with mutiple dogs either and the pups would definitely be a bit more challenging then their momma at least at this point. As Matt said, I believe it may not be for every dog but you would have to be the judge of yours. Mine actually looks forward to it but she is my dog and I don't think say my wife would be able to do it with her becasue she wants to know where I am at all the time, hence why she is always checking on where the truck is at. She has never tried to cross in front of me or chase another car unless I am in the car. If for some reason she does move closer to my truck, I time her speed either letting her lead or running behind me so i can see her in the mirror which I prefer. I do not use this all the time but when I am time crunched and she needs to run. i have used my 4 wheeler with all three dogs on a lane well off the road and that does seem to work alright but you do have to pay attention which way everybody is going. Hope this helps or atleast explains it better.
 
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No explanation needed Sir. Sorry you felt like you were being bashed. Looks like quite a few other people use this method too, including myself. If their dogs aren't smart enough to do it or they don't have faith in their ability to pay attention, it's probably better that they reject this method. It works, you just have to be cautious.
 
Used the wife's bike this morning and took one of my dogs "Roading". I ran her on the bike path that we have in town and obviously had to have her on a leash. Just told her to heel and she pretty much stayed right along side of me. She did pull on a few occasions and once she jerked the leash from my hand. But that's okay, you need to be able to release the leash so the dog doesn't pull you over. I think as she gets use to it she will get better. My house is only about a block or two from the bike path so it works well. I'm also only about 1/2 mile from the edge of town so I could hit the gravel road and then do away with the leash. We only went about a 1 1/2 miles this morning but I hope to get the dogs up to 4-5 miles. So if I do that with both dogs (one at a time) I'll also be getting a pretty good workout myself.

Guess I'm going to have to shop for a bike for myself. Think I'll get one of the "old style" cruisers with the fat tires and fat seat. Out here on the "flat land" I really don't need multiple speeds. I see Walmart has some for around $100.

Ride On!
 
Took the pup out this morning with my bike too for the first time. We had a small accident early on, but she sure learned her lesson. After that, she ran nicely at heal, checking in regularly with me over her shoulder. Bummer was that I noticed a bit of blood when we were done (from when I clipped her foot). Seems ok, no limping or favoring, just a scrape I hope. overall, she seemed to really enjoy the running. Can't wait to do it again in a couple weeks (she'll be spayed tomorrow)
 
dz

ive done this with all my dogs. find a back road in the sticks. throw the dogs out and drive down the road. pay close attention to what the dogs are doeing so you dont run over the dogs. they love it and it works. i know some one on this sight is going to bust my as- on this but it works.:)
 
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