Keeping your dog warm.

[gasman]

Today in the blind, Buddy was shaking his back leg like he was cold. The platform was wet and cold plywood. When he was walking around or swimming he was fine but after sitting for a bit, not doing any thing, he would shake. I did not bring a towel to dry him off (I for got it) but don't know if that would have mattered any ways  for the wood was wet.

Am I over consered on this, and/or what do you do to keep your dog warm between retrieves?

[singleshot12]

Alot of times they shake a little from nerves and excitement. Outdoor labs will grow a thick waterproof coat if not kept indoors and fed a good diet. They might get a little cold and shake a little but he should be fine especially in this mild wheather. I start to worry about mine if he's been retrieving or standing in water for several hours in below freezing temps. I always feed them a big high fat breakfast before the hunt in cold temps, I also bring snacks if it is an all day hunt.
I don't use the vests, but heard they help, my dogs usually hate to wear them. I'm sure your dog was just fine.

[PointNLab]

I bring a bumper to toss for them when things get slow.  I use it as a steady drill also between flights.  A vest helps a bit when it is colder.

[gasman]

I was talking to Olddog earlyier and he said I was just being a "wussy", he was just fine 

[huntlakewood]

now your actimg like me worring about your kid to much.

[CAMPMEAT]

My Rott does that too, but he's a wuss.

[gasman]

I always feed them a big high fat breakfast before the hunt in cold temps, I also bring snacks if it is an all day hunt.
I don't use the vests, but heard they help, my dogs usually hate to wear them. I'm sure your dog was just fine.

So what would be high fat foods ?

[dscubame]

negative 7 degrees this moring in Spokane.  I would still vest the little fella up.

[singleshot12]

I always feed them a big high fat breakfast before the hunt in cold temps, I also bring snacks if it is an all day hunt.
I don't use the vests, but heard they help, my dogs usually hate to wear them. I'm sure your dog was just fine.

So what would be high fat foods ?

I always have a couple cans of salmon on hand for cold days, I also add fat scraps,drippings and extra eggs to his meals

[gasman]

Went back out this morning. 12 degrees to start and warmed up a little, just a little. Had the vest on him and he wa sent on one retreive from the boat, and this was his first retreive from the boat  

I was skeptical on this one and I was right. He went for the decoys    


Did not make the retreive but it was fun watching and dealing with the situation  

While we were sitting, he was biting at the bit to get out and bring back the deeks.....

Not a good day out today but found a couple of new areas with potential, one very good area  

[singleshot12]

Just keep at it..every bird you knock down will get him educated before you know it. Experience is the key

[gasman]

Just keep at it..every bird you knock down will get him educated before you know it. Experience is the key

I am trying.......  Just getting to know areas I can hunt with him off shore is learning proccess. Currently, I have been hunting with another member, we have been exploring and i have been learning a lot, and looking for areas I can go on my own to work with Buddy. I want to get out all I can but I don't want to put others out while I work with Buddy, and a 14ft aluminum boat is a little hard to handle on my own, that extra muscle to load the boat is needed.

Next year, I plan on haveing a Swamp Rat to be able to get out on my own 

[D-Rock425]

I have a vest for my lab and he still shakes like a queer at a weeny roast.  He has always done it nerves I think.  He is 11 now you would think he could get that under control

[Ironhead]

The shaking generates heat as well. When my GSP's shake you can watch the steam start rising.

[gasman]

Yeah, but when there teeth start to chatter, thats a different story I imagine.

[Copperwood]

Acclimate your dog and you shouldn't have to worry about your dog being cold. I have never used a vest and my dogs have been just fine. Dogs are pretty resilient.