Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: JBar on October 01, 2008, 02:35:53 PM

Title: Dogs in shape?
Post by: JBar on October 01, 2008, 02:35:53 PM: Wondering what you guys do to get your dogs in shape for uplands? We try to run our dogs ( labs ) more prior to season but the colfax area hills and brush whoop their butts every year, the heat the last few years has not helped any either. Any suggestions? We try to change dogs and rest/water them often but they are both stubborn as hell and won't stop until you physically make them stop.

JBar
Title: Re: Dogs in shape?
Post by: bobcat on October 01, 2008, 07:10:06 PM: I like to wait for November. October is too hot for my dogs to hunt all day. To get them in shape prior to the season I have always liked driving logging roads with the dogs running out in front.
Title: Re: Dogs in shape?
Post by: JBar on October 01, 2008, 07:28:24 PM: Logging roads with black labs during bear season :bdid: You're probably pretty safe if they stay close to the truck and it sounds like a good way to get them in top shape but I would definately be putting some blaze orange vests on them. I don't even like to take them grouse hunting for that reason, I'm kind of a worry wart that way. I'm with you on the late hunts though, you can definately get an all day hunt out of them if needed and very few people. Thanks for the tip!
Title: Re: Dogs in shape?
Post by: bobcat on October 01, 2008, 07:32:20 PM: I choose the roads I drive carefully, and besides that, my dogs are not black. Plus they're right in front of the truck. Can't imagine someone thinking a dog is anything but a dog, when running right in front of my truck.
Title: Re: Dogs in shape?
Post by: WAcoueshunter on October 01, 2008, 10:27:39 PM: Both my wife and I are runners and take our brittany with us, so our dog stays in pretty good shape year round. She probably gets 20 miles/week. She did 4 miles tonight, 3 last night, etc. We don't run much when it's 80+ out, but she still gets plenty of warm weather running through the summer so the heat doesn't bug her too much. We try to keep her on grass or dirt as much as possible to limit the pounding on her joints.

My neighbor sends his lab to the trainer all summer to get her in shape. That dog is rock solid by October. But at $700/month, that gets spendy quick!
Title: Re: Dogs in shape?
Post by: Rhinoron247 on October 01, 2008, 10:35:54 PM: Mine hunt mice all year long all day in the 200 acre hay field next to the house. They are fit and ready on opening day.
Title: Re: Dogs in shape?
Post by: Rowdy on October 01, 2008, 10:43:08 PM: Quote from: Rhinoron247 on October 01, 2008, 10:35:54 PM
Mine hunt mice all year long all day in the 200 acre hay field next to the house. They are fit and ready on opening day.

Great looking pups!! I think my next will be a setter. Good looking and no better looking dog on point, IMO!!!
Title: Re: Dogs in shape?
Post by: Rhinoron247 on October 01, 2008, 10:56:24 PM: I highly recommend them. They are OFF in the house and ON when they are outside. Perfect hunting partner and pet.

They hunt hard and if you have the room to run they stay fit year round.

I recently went through a heart attack so I use them as my trainers and they take me out for walks and runs to loose weight and get my butt in shape for the season. The last thing they want is to have to wait for my puggy ass to catch up. LOL

They practice pointing the tweeties that hang around the Chicken Coop.
Title: Re: Dogs in shape?
Post by: JBar on October 02, 2008, 02:47:31 AM: I hear ya Bobcat, not sure my dogs would stay close to the truck though. I've been running them as much as I can during the week then I brave the funny farms ( release sights ) on the weekends. Not much on this side to match the rolling steep hills around Colfax though.

Those are some nice looking dogs you have there Rhinoron, I try to use my dogs to keep my butt in shape too. I love my labs but can't beat the beauty of a pointer on point!
Title: Re: Dogs in shape?
Post by: shootanfish on October 04, 2008, 04:55:25 PM: My pup gets good old fashion miles. Lots of hills and flats with plenty of H2O.
Keeps me in shape. He doesn't hunt with me I hunt with him.
I have a German shorthair from Dunfur Kennel in Chenney best dog
I have owned. Love to watch him work.
Title: Re: Dogs in shape?
Post by: sisu on October 04, 2008, 10:20:41 PM: Quote from: JBar on October 01, 2008, 07:28:24 PM
Logging roads with black labs during bear season :bdid: You're probably pretty safe if they stay close to the truck and it sounds like a good way to get them in top shape but I would definately be putting some blaze orange vests on them. I don't even like to take them grouse hunting for that reason, I'm kind of a worry wart that way. I'm with you on the late hunts though, you can definately get an all day hunt out of them if needed and very few people. Thanks for the tip!
I was on the east side about 7 or 8 years ago going up a real easy climb or a hard hike with my tan pit bull. She rounded a blind corner scaring a fella who thought he'd run into a cougar. He was physically shaking...once he realized it was a dog he felt foolish but I can understand.
Title: Re: Dogs in shape?
Post by: JBar on October 05, 2008, 10:10:47 AM: I was on the east side about 7 or 8 years ago going up a real easy climb or a hard hike with my tan pit bull. She rounded a blind corner scaring a fella who thought he'd run into a cougar. He was physically shaking...once he realized it was a dog he felt foolish but I can understand.
[/quote]

I did the same thing except I was driving out of the little Naches area came around a corner and thought I had seen a cougar run across the road. I stop the truck and up runs the friendliest tan pit bull, I open my door and in he jumped glad to just see someone. Turns out someone either dumped him or lost him. Spent the rest of the afternoon running him to the humane society in Yakima. Mistakes are made.

I have been running the heck out of my dogs and they seem to be in shape and ready for Colfax. I run them dog tired ( no pun intended ) and 10 minutes later they are looking at me wanting to go more.