KIESER: Workout program for your hunting dog

Hunting season will soon be here. Is your dog in shape? Sadly hunters who lack the time required to properly train their pointers or retrievers are often disappointed when the season opens.

Their dogs are simply not in the condition required to properly hunt all day. Out of condition dogs often poop out in the first hour or two. This is hard on the dog and disappointing for the hunter.

An adequate conditioning program is important.

Smart hunters implement a 12-month program aimed at keeping their dogs in shape. Year-round conditioning and feeding can make a big difference on opening day.

A healthy dog can run several hours while finding quail, pheasants or grouse. Poorly conditioned dogs are injured easily and lose their concentration when sniffing bird scents.

Start your dog's conditioning program with a trip to the veterinarian.
Tell him of your plans and begin with a thorough physical, including stool and blood analysis. Once assured of your dog's overall condition, make sure your dog dines on the best food. I feed my dogs Purina Hi-Pro Dog mixed with Science Diet, but there are many other fine brands on the market.

Remember to never feed your dog before a workout. Most hunters agree that feeding once a day is best.

Begin workouts slowly to get the dog back in shape. Starting early in the year allows the luxury of not pushing your dog's workouts. Most experts start 15-20 minute workouts and eventually work up to an hour.

Make sure you keep an eye on the dog for fatigue or injury. Fatigue may be signaled by the tail being carried lower than usual. Gums turning dark red are another sign to back off and let the dog cool down.

Remember that a fresh drink of water will help refresh your dog. The lack of water can make your dog ill. The fast metabolism and thick fur coat quickly help overheat a dog, especially when no water is available.

Warmer days of spring and summer are why I love water training. All dogs swim and love the water. Repeated water retrieves build the dog's strength and endurance while maintaining a comfortable body temperature.

Running along the beach and lunging through shallow water is another excellent exercise and great fun for the dog.

Eventually, you can paddle a row boat while the dog swims behind. Make sure you watch for signs of fatigue and wear old clothing. Many years ago my over-zealous Labrador retriever decided that he wanted in the boat.

The 90-pound retriever swam along side while my attention was diverted. He slipped his paws over the side and I felt the lightweight aluminum boat tip. I turned to see what was happening and leaned too far. Over we went. The Jon boat bottomed up and I took an unexpected bath. We both enjoyed a good swim.

Bird dogs require field work to harden their pads. I have seen many working dogs return to their master with bloody paws. A total conditioning program must include all muscle groups, including the cardiovascular system.

Dogs must endure a general toughening program. Hunters tend to take for granted the incredible amount of work a bird dog endures.
Stamina is developed by running around fields and other areas. Some hunters jog with their dogs. However, this can cause problems. Jogging is a good way for hunters to get in shape. But this may push an out-of condition dog too far physically.

Remember to constantly watch the dog to make sure he is remaining alert. Loss of concentration is a sure sign of exhaustion. Remember to check his pads occasionally. Running several miles on concrete or asphalt may cause painful wear on pads. Let your dog run in the grass while you endure the hard surfaces when possible.

Accomplished joggers should be aware of their dogs behavior. An unconditioned dog can not log the same miles of a conditioned human. I learned this the hard way with a gray hound last year.
I was on my third mile when the dog started lagging. He is an excellent sprinter, but long distances kill him. Luckily I had a cell phone to call for help.  

Harness work for resistance training is becoming more popular. Pulling against a moving dog will use up more of its energy and burn more calories. Start with slight resistance and be careful. Too much resistance could injure the dogs tendons or muscles.

Again, start slowly and let your dog progress slowly. You should start noticing a difference in your dog's condition by the first month. An important key to training or workouts is patience. Never put a huge amount of pressure on a dog. Workouts should be fun and in fact, an adventure.

Puppies especially require a little tender loving care. Start by playing with your pup while constantly calling it by name. Allow the pup to visit open fields where it can point butterflies and grasshoppers. Later you can plant pen-raised quail or pigeons where the puppy can only smell the bird.

Your dog should be 12-months old before its first hunt. Even then training before the season opener is essential. A young dog has to be in shape before chasing birds through fields and timber. Hunters tend to take a dog's effort for granted. But a well-conditioned dog is a splendid athlete.

“Different breeds can take different types of training pressure,” Danny Guyer, owner of Iron Duck Hunting Guide Service and a lab breeder said. “Pointer bird dogs are generally more hard headed than Brittany spaniels or setters.”

“Brittany's tend to be more sensitive and timid. In other words, pointers can take harder training because they are a tougher dog,” Guyer said. “This means that you have to be cautious how you train a sensitive dog for fear of ruining it. I realize that there are exceptions to this rule.No doubt some Brittany spaniels are tough as nails.”

When to take a dog hunting depends on the dog’s conditioning. Point and retrieving instincts are bred in better dogs. But you can aid your dogs conditioning by playing retrieving games.

Younger dogs especially have a tendency to chase after rolling objects. Try tossing a rolled up sock or tennis ball and make a real game of it. Your dog will use up a lot of energy while perfecting its retrieving trade.

Injuries are always a possibility during your dog's conditioning program. Broken bones and open wounds are serious, but not compared to internal bleeding. The body tries to correct this by speeding up the heart, constricting blood vessels and conserving fluid in circulation to central parts of the body.

If allowed to continue, vital organs shut down for lack of oxygen. Then shock sets in, often causing death.

Hunters working their dogs in hot weather should be aware of another form of shock. This type is caused by dehydration or heat stress. Some symptoms are a drop in body temperature, cold extremities, pale gums and rapid, weak pulse.

Should this occur, calm the dog and help him assume a comfortable position. Again, cover him with a blanket while being transported for help.

Dogs are loving animals that would do anything to please their master. Contribute the same love by making sure the dog is safe and happy.

The best hunting dogs are the result of a good training plan.