Fall bird hunting means unpredictable weather. Extreme conditions can be dangerous for both you and your dog if you’re not prepared. My main concern as I think ahead to season openers in my home state of South Dakota is unseasonably hot temperatures.
Our prairie grouse season (sharptail and prairie chicken) opens the third weekend of September, followed by pheasants in mid-October. Even when temps aren’t what we’d consider “extreme,” a hard-working flushing retriever heats up fast underneath that same heavy coat that does such a good job of protecting it in cold weather.
In hot weather, the hard-charging characteristics that we otherwise find so valuable in our retrievers actually become detrimental. Dogs that are single-mindedly fixated on finding birds don’t know when to quit. Therefore, it’s up to you to closely monitor their behavior so you can make important decisions before it’s too late.
You have to be smart enough to know when it’s best to skip a day of hunting rather than put your dog at risk for heat stroke or worse. That’s a tough call to make, especially if you’ve invested time and money to travel for a destination hunt. However, by planning and taking precautions, you can safely enjoy some time in the field despite uncooperative weather. Here are the factors I consider.
Frequent water breaks are helpful for dogs hunting in the heat. (Photo courtesy of Tess Rousey) The Importance of Watering Your Dog During Hot Hunts When I set out for a hunt, whether it’s with a partner or with multiple friends, we always want to leave the vehicle with enough water. How much is enough? To me, there’s no such thing as “too much” water. This is doubly true on warm, sunny days when you’re hunting new ground and don’t know if there are water sources, such as stock ponds or creeks, on the property.
Mapping apps, such as onX Hunt , can give you some clues about waterways on new properties, but conditions change, so I always play it safe and take more water than I think we’ll need. Load up your vest with as many water bottles as you can comfortably carry, and then insist that your hunting partners, even if they’re dogless, carry some as well.
Plan your hunts with the intention of hitting pockets of cover on small properties. Just as importantly, think about how you can work one part of the property on the way out and then hit more good cover as you turn back toward the truck. It’s a real bummer to realize you got carried away by “hitting just one more spot,” only to realize you’re now a mile from the truck, running out of water, and having to backtrack through the cover you’ve already walked through.
Stop frequently for water breaks, keeping in mind that often your dog might be too keyed up to realize it needs a drink. A little trick to combat this is that when you stop, really stop. Unload your gun and sit down, and if you can do so in the shade, that’s even better. A dog that won’t take water initially will change its mind when it realizes that there’s nothing new to see or smell during this timeout.
I should also mention a tip that I’ve shared countless times, but it works so well I’ll share it here again. It’s important that your dog will drink from a squirt water bottle, but a dog that has drank only from a bowl might be hesitant to take water any other way. The solution is to dab some peanut butter on the end of the bottle. I have yet to see a dog that won’t eagerly lick this unexpected treat. Then, it’s just a matter of adding a squirt of water to the process. A few sessions of this is all it takes for a dog to make a positive association with the bottle.
Know where you hunt and if there are places for your dogs to cool off during the hunt. Take Frequent Breaks for Water and Shade It would be nice if you came across a creek or pond every 15 minutes on those warm days when the sun is beating down. That’s rarely the case, of course. Even though you’re doing your best to keep your dog hydrated, you still need to pay close attention to its behavior so you can identify whether it might be heading toward a heat-related emergency.
Pause your hunt more often than usual. Make your dog check in with you, and if you see any indication of heat stress, do a skin test for hydration. Pinch a section of skin on your dog’s back between your thumb and forefinger. Pull up and release. If the skin snaps right back, that’s good. If the skin remains “tented” and then returns very slowly, that’s a sure sign of dehydration.
The early stages of heat stress aren’t difficult to combat. First, get your dog into shade if possible. Next, water down the places where their hair is the thinnest: the forehead, chest, belly, groin, and “armpits.” When your dog’s panting has returned to normal, get back to your vehicle, run that air conditioner on high, and call it a day.
When you get back to the truck, get your dog water and airflow to help cool down. (Photo courtesy of Bill Konway) Caring for Your Dog After a Hot Hunt It’s often said that a hungry dog hunts the hardest. I agree and subscribe to that saying. My dogs get fed once per day, in the evening. This works out well during early-season, warm-weather hunts because digestion increases body temperature.
Make sure your dog is relaxed and has had a chance to cool down before offering food. I always water down the evening meal, as it’s another opportunity for hydration.
Another routine that’s worked well for me, especially when we’re on the road, is to add Purina FortiFlora to my dogs’ water before I soak the food. FortiFlora helps regulate a dog’s gut health and combat diarrhea, which is another contributor to dehydration. As a bonus, dogs seem to crave the taste of it, and that encourages more water intake.
Hunting in hot weather is better than not hunting at all... sometimes. As long as you understand the potential risks, how to be prepared for emergencies, and keep close tabs on your retriever’s health, you just might be able to make the most of your time afield even when the weather isn’t cooperating.
Knowing the signs for if your dog is getting too hot will help you avoid a heat related emergency. (Photo courtesy of John Hafner) How to Know if Your Dog is too Hot I encourage all hunters to familiarize themselves with the symptoms of heat emergencies in dogs. If your dog is at a healthy weight, well-hydrated, and you’re paying attention to its behavior, warm-weather activities should be less risky.
But bad things can happen when we least expect it. Research the dangers of heat, don’t put your dog in dangerous situations, and always know how to get to the nearest vet. Below I’ve outlined the basics of recognizing the big three heat problems: stress, exhaustion, and stroke. Use this overview as a starting point to educate yourself so you’ll always be prepared and able to render first-aid on your way to professional help.
Signs of Heat Stress in Dogs Symptoms: Increased thirst and panting; tongue appears wider, longer, or may start to curl up on the end; saliva is pasty; dog seems slower and less focused than usual.
Care: Stop and get to shade; soak paws and belly with water; apply rubbing alcohol to ears, armpits, and groin to help dissipate heat; check temperature rectally and monitor for it increasing (normal is 100 to 102.5 F ); consult vet to provide symptom details.
Signs of Heat Exhaustion in Dogs Symptoms: Panting becomes uncontrollable; dog appears weak and/or stumbles; vomiting and/or diarrhea; mouth, gums, and/or nose can be dry and red; muscle tremors.
Care: Do everything you can to cool your dog like you would in a heat stress situation, but now, getting to a vet IMMEDIATELY is a MUST! On the way, lie the dog on a wet towel, and get it in front of your vehicle’s fan or an auxiliary fan.
Signs of Heat Stroke in Dogs Symptoms: Untreated heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke. Dog is uncoordinated and may become unresponsive or collapse; urine is dark or non-existent; dog may go into a seizure and possibly a coma.
Care: Same as heat exhaustion. You MUST get to a vet NOW.
