Summer Overheating

[AD18]

Ok, got into another "discussion" the other day about working your dog in the summer. As some of you are aware I am overly cautious in regards to working my dogs hard in the summer temperatures. Better safe than sorry I say. The conversation revolved around whether working the dog during extreme heat was ok in water when it was deemed to hot to work on land. My stance was the dog has to work harder and longer in water to swim normal training distances and therefore that negated any cooling benefit of the water. Exercise heat build up would be as high or higher than land work at normal training distances. As well the dog still had to cool down afterwards. The other party was convinced that since the water cooled the dog you could carry on as usual. Your opinion?

[Huntmaster]

I think alot would depend on the temperature of the water the dog was in. I disagree with you that the dog works harder in water then land, a dog can swim all day with ease, but can not run. The reason a dog with shore run, is not because water is to tiring, its the shortest and fastest way the dog can retrieve your bird, and they know that. I think cool down after any work out, whether, water or land should be exercised. A wet dog should be toweled down and keep in the shade when worked in extreme heat, not put in crate. If not that water will turn into a steam bath. My opinion, water work outs, over land work outs are safer for the dog if care is taken to dry the dog after.

I'm new to this and just giving what I think and have read!

[Mike Bons]

I believe that most of our dogs go all out, whether it be on land or water, so I don't know if they actually work harder, but it does take longer, and therefor would burn more calories (more heat). I would imagine that the cooler temperatures of the water would help alot to disapate some of that heat. I think, as Nate Baxter descibed in his heat related article on RTF ( http://retrievertraining.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=44472 ), the safest thing to do would to monitor their core body temperature with a rectal glass thermometer if you are concerned, as well as to recognize signs of heat exaustion.

[3 black dogs]

Al
Summer training is early morning water and afternoon beer drinking and as mike said if it makes you feel better you can check your core body temp with a rectale thermomiter( Large)smiliesex: to make sure your ok.before and after the beer!:beer: :beer: :beer:

Chris

[Kevin Hannah]

We have a copy of that arcticle here on the board as well.

Here is the link, http://www.canadianhuntingdogs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=434

Kevin

[Kevin Hannah]

Al
Summer training is early morning water and afternoon beer drinking and as mike said if it makes you feel better you can check your core body temp with a rectale thermomiter( Large)smiliesex: to make sure your ok.before and after the beer!:beer: :beer: :beer:

Chris

:yikes: :yikes: :yikes:

Staying away from beers at your truck Chris.

[Huntmaster]

Kevin the thermomiter is for the dog, not you, I want my consulting fees back,,, OH, I forgot Cathy hasnt paid you yet! 6 Pack it is!!!

[AD18]

Ya right. My dog is noisy enough without "taking his temperature":boink: But then again maybe get his mind off barking:idea: Wouldn't be considered a training aid either, purely safety related. Mike and 3BD's, again you are a genius:spoton: