By Joe Spoo DVM

Although temperatures have been near the century mark in recent weeks, the end of summer is at least reachable, and many of us have started turning our thoughts to fall. With some states having dove and goose seasons opening up on the first of September, it leaves us just over a month to get our dogs in shape.

Unfortunately for most dogs, preseason condition will only include a few retrieves in the backyard and, if they’re lucky, an evening’s walk. Come opening day we expect these couch potatoes to attack the field like a puppy and tolerate early-season heat. The results can range from disastrous, with sprains, strains and cuts, to deadly, with conditions such as hunting dog hypoglycemia and heat stroke.

Many of these early-season injuries and problems can be avoided with some preseason preparation and conditioning. One of the mistakes I commonly see owners make is feeding their dog the same amount year round. Your dog’s energy needs are different throughout the year, and it is important to feed them properly. My Chessie Emma’s food intake will vary from under two cups a day during the off season to as much as six cups in the heart of hunting season. Before starting a conditioning program, or the hunting season, make sure you have your hunting partner’s nutrition, and weight, in order.

One of the biggest challenges with trying to condition a dog during this time of year is trying to find time to exercise when the temperatures are not too hot. For outdoor training one of the only solutions is getting out of bed so that you can be out training just as the sun is coming up, which will give most of us time to train the dog and still get to work. This may not be the most convenient solution, but on many days during the middle of the summer it is the only time you can safely train a dog.

Some people forego land work and head straight for the water, and a common misconception of many people is that a wet dog is a cool dog. While this may be the case sometimes, it is not a hard and fast rule. Shallow water has a tendency to heat up very readily during the summer, and swimming a dog in this water can amount to swimming them in a hot tub. Many a dog has developed heat stroke while making too many retrieves in water that was much too warm. Even if the water is cool and the day is hot, you will need to be vigilant. A wet dog in a dog box in the back of a pickup creates his own sauna and a potentially life-threatening situation. Heatstroke is an extremely quick and deadly disease and not one to be taken lightly.

Many southern veterinarians and dog trainers have a rule of thumb that if the ambient temperature when added to the humidity is greater than 150, you are entering a danger zone for ANY dog, even one used to handling the heat. So, it is extremely important for a healthy, successful season to start getting your dog in shape, but it is equally as important to be smart about the conditions.

Some days it is just too hot to be outside, or if you work long summer hours you may not have the daylight hours to train outside. There are ways to get your dog in shape without ever leaving the house. Many dogs, my own included, can easily be trained to use the treadmill. Now that machine collecting dust in the corner of the basement can actually be put to good use. For those without a treadmill, many very nice, very unused treadmills can be picked up cheaply at the right garage sale or newspaper advertisement.

Typically it takes about three days and a few tasty treats to train a dog to use a treadmill. The first day I just get them on the machine and give them a treat without ever turning it on. The next day I get them on the treadmill, give them a treat, turn it on the lowest possible speed and quickly give them another treat. By the third day I make them stay on it a while before getting a follow-up treat, and you are usually good to go.

A couple of notes: never leave a dog unattended on the treadmill. I usually start with a harness and leash to help them stay centered, but after a few sessions most dogs will figure it out and will need nothing to stay on the treadmill. I’ll sit in a chair next to the treadmill and catch up on some reading while the dog gets a workout in. Also remember that many dogs have to empty their bladder and bowels when they start exercise, so I usually give them a couple minute warm-up with a trip outside prior to starting the actual workout. Trust me on this one, as I found out the hard way. Vary the speed and elevation to vary the workout and to get the most benefit.

Just like with anything in life, the more time you put into something, the more benefit you get from it. The same applies to your gundog. Time spent preparing for the upcoming season will show its benefits during the season. An overworked/underconditioned dog is going to be prone to injury and likely will not be nearly as productive in the field. If the conditioning isn’t there at the beginning of the season don’t push it too fast. Give your partner a chance to build up to the desired level so you’re really ready to go later in the year when the birds start flying.

Our gundogs are often integral parts of our family in whom we’ve invested a lot of time and money with the hope that they’ll become our unerring companions in the field. They are also top-notch athletes, and, as such, require special care and attention to keep them in the field year in and year out. Hunting seasons are relatively short segments of the year as a whole, but to get the most out of the few times we make it out in the field, spend the extra time in the off-season getting your hunting partner into shape. That dog sitting beside you begging for that last bit of supper really is an athlete, just give him an honest chance to prove it.