Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Bird Dogs => Topic started by: MC37493 on October 31, 2013, 02:16:53 PM

Title: Keeping your dog warm?
Post by: MC37493 on October 31, 2013, 02:16:53 PM: What are some things you guys do to keep your dog warm while out in the marsh? I dont have an elevated platform to put her on or a blind, i have been using a towel to dry her off after she gets out of the water. She shivers pretty frequently And looks at me with her puppy eyes saying get me warm! I have had to cut a couple hunts short because of this, she didnt seem to ever shiver as bad last year and that was when it was late season and a lot colder. I have a neoprene vest for her and keep her out of the water but she still shivers what are some things you guys do to keep her warm? Is the shivering normal?
Title: Re: Keeping your dog warm?
Post by: Happy Gilmore on October 31, 2013, 02:24:22 PM: get a sham-wow towel. They soak more water and squeeze dry. Make your pup sleep outside for a month or two before hunting season. Start a good conditioning program if your dog isn't active outside of hunting season. 6 weeks before hunting season get on a balanced food. High protein foods do not help dogs put on body fat which is needed for sustained hunting. Get a lower protein higher fat food started 6 weeks in advance.

Everything takes around two months to make a difference. From acclimation, food change, weight gain and conditioning.

Worst case, take a kennel with a cover, put the dog away to warm up when he starts to get cold. Make sure there is a mat in the kennel to keep the dog from sitting in a puddle of water. Do your best to always run them to get blood circulating and dry them before kenneling.
Title: Re: Keeping your dog warm?
Post by: gasman on October 31, 2013, 02:30:40 PM: I will actually take a break and run my dog. play fetch with him to get the blood moving through his body.
Title: Re: Keeping your dog warm?
Post by: vandeman17 on October 31, 2013, 02:33:22 PM: Quote from: gasman on October 31, 2013, 02:30:40 PM
I will actually take a break and run my dog. play fetch with him to get the blood moving through his body.

I try to do the same. Every little while I will get up and walk around a bit. Not only does it help warm the dog up but it gets my blood flowing as well
Title: Re: Keeping your dog warm?
Post by: pens fan on November 01, 2013, 07:15:56 AM: My Boykins stay warm by moving. Not a good thing in the blind.
But this year i am looking at getting a flat water container and filling it with warm/ hot water and set it under their kennel. So far, they are all too big.
Too hot and they won't lay on it, but around 80 and they will tolerate it. One thing i noticed: a dog would rather be cold than.hot.
Title: Re: Keeping your dog warm?
Post by: LndShrk on November 01, 2013, 07:45:47 AM: This is a good article to read.

http://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/keeping-them-warm-Page1.htm (http://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/keeping-them-warm-Page1.htm)