There are a bunch of training related projects you can and should be working on this time of year. Obviously keeping your dog as active as possible throughout the year is the secret to a real solid training program. Yet, in the real world, we’re faced with family and work priorities while our dog training must take a back seat.
So, what if we take a little time to carve out a few areas of our gun dog training that we might work on during the summer and early fall that would support a pleasant, productive partner going into hunting season? Let’s start from the beginning.
Taking time to train specific behaviors and obedience is a good use of the summer off-season. (Photo courtesy of Bob West) Training Basic Obedience During the Summer I’ve often noticed when we begin discussing “sit, heel, and kennel” is when the big guy in the back row booms out, “I don’t need all that fancy stuff, all I want is a huntin’ dog.”
Most of the time we can’t help that fellow, but hopefully the rest of us understand that if the foundation isn’t solid, the building will not stand. Please do not underestimate the importance of basic obedience commands. My feeling is that if your dog doesn’t understand and obey basic commands at three feet while on lead, you can’t expect any control at a hundred yards while hunting.
So, what are some essential basic commands to add to your checklist? We begin with stationary commands.
“Sit” and “whoa” are position commands used to stop and hold dogs fixed in place. The “no” command or a consistent correction command is important.
“Heel” is taught so you're able to move your dog, by your side, from place to place safely. “Kennel” or “place,” beyond the obvious, sets up the understanding to leave my side and go there—be it an actual kennel, a car, a boat, or even up on a training table.
Next, we need a recall command. Most use “come” or “here.” The bottom line is for the dog to stop what it is doing and come in to you. Then, once the dog is close, use “heel” to bring him around to your side then “sit” to hold him in place.
Your steady command—whether it is “sit,” “hup,” or “whoa,”—is not only key to good manners around the house but also from a safety aspect. You can now stop a dog running towards a busy road. It is also the foundation for more advanced obedience using the same command and concept.
With this understanding of the importance of basics, try to make time. Working on the basics can fit anytime of the day or evening. Sit and heel can be reinforced simply by asking your dog to heel quietly by your side and to sit while you open the door until released.
If you have a young dog ready to begin learning or an older dog needing refreshing work—begin now and make basic commands part of your summer project. Carve out some time each evening and you will see the results come hunting season.
Having your dog follow you while you kayak is a great endurance builder in the heat of summer. (Photo courtesy of Bob West) Conditioning a Dog on Hot Summer Days With a goal of having our dog prepared for the serious work of hunting by fall, we must begin thinking of ways to provide exercises that help build muscle, strengthen bones, and toughen pads while simultaneously building endurance.
Start easy with walks on lead while you practice heeling, runs in the park, or retrieving a training dummy. Do this while your gun dog gets back in shape before you progress to actual open fields for extended runs.
Working in open fields is a real benefit in that the rolling hills allow your dog to work any number of separate muscle groups as they travel uphill and downhill over the area.
Another benefit of exercise in specific open fields is that at the same time you’re socializing your pup to his hunting environment. Fence rows, bushes, ditches, water, and all parts and pieces of the world he’ll train and hunt for the remainder of his life.
During the summer, you are sometimes faced with hot, humid days that really make it tough on dogs to work. Dogs cool primarily by panting, moving air across the tongue and to the back of the throat, evaporating moisture. Evaporation then helps cool the tongue, in turn cooling their blood. The cooler blood then returns to the core and brain keeping the dog safe and alert. The problem on hot days is that high humidity suppresses evaporation/cooling of the tongue, and our dog loses stamina.
On humid days like this, swimming and water work is the best option. Swimming also provides low impact exercise and is really great for the heart/lung role in endurance.
During summer training and other bouts of exercise, always be mindful of early signs of heat stress, such as a slowing gate, less animation with their body, and less tail action. At this point, discontinue work, find a shady spot so our dog can have a cool drink, and take time to cool down. Help your dog cool by using a bicycle water bottle to squirt and flush away the saliva from his mouth, tongue, and rear of his throat for more efficient cooling.
Don’t forget to set up a veterinarian check-up before summer work. Be sure your dog is in good health and caught up with vaccines and other preventives. You should do this early in the season before serious exercise, and let your veterinarian know your summer training plans and if you should be concerned about anything.