Dogs Require Extra Care when
Traveling
By Rhett Kermicle
One of the
most exciting parts about hunting is the chance to travel to new
areas in search of upland birds and waterfowl. Before you pack the
truck and take off, however, it’s a good idea to review some of
the basics of taking care of your hunting dog on such trips. This
is especially important during the late season, when you might be
hunting in colder weather than your dog is used to.
Pay special
attention to your dog’s feet before, during and after each day’s
hunt. Frozen ground is tough on a dog’s feet if the dog hasn’t
been conditioned for it, and a cut pad will end your hunt. Dog
boots are an excellent preventive measure against such problems,
but most dogs don’t like wearing them at first. You’ll find your
dog will quickly adjust to the odd sensation of having his feet
covered, but be sure to get this “introductory period” out of the
way before you leave home. Also, give each boot a wrap of duct
tape around the top. Even the best-designed boots have a way of
slipping off.
A proper
feeding regimen on a trip is extremely important. Everyone knows a
hard-working dog needs more food, but when you feed is just as
important. I break my dogs’ feedings into three small segments
throughout the day, rather than feeding all at once. A dog that’s
stressed from the travel and extra activity, will sometimes turn
into a finicky eater. I throw in a bit of canned food or other
tempting flavor to keep the food appealing.
Another good
trick is to mix the food with warm water. It’s easier for the dog
to eat, and will help hydrate the dog at the same time. Speaking
of water, make sure it’s always available, regardless of the
temperature. Dogs can actually need more water in cold weather.
I also add a
couple tablespoons of Karo syrup to one of the feedings, and again
in the evening feeding. The syrup’s complex carbohydrates provide
a source of energy a dog’s body can keep in reserve until he needs
it.
One mistake
I see hunters make is trying to hunt a single dog all day for
several days in a row. Most people don’t condition their dogs in
the off-season for such rigors, and it’s doubtful that after a
couple days of this routine a dog will still be performing well.
Rather than run a dog to exhaustion, try to hunt with a group of
dog owners so you can constantly alternate dogs. Rest each dog
while he’s still fresh. You’ll get more and better performance
from him the next time it’s his turn to hunt. As a rule of thumb
on an upland bird hunt, I suggest an hour to 1∏ hours of hunting
at a time for each dog.
Finally, it
should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway: Don’t forget a
well-stocked first-aid kit. You might also want to check into the
special dog aspirin now available. I’ve found that a dose of this
wonder drug in the evening helps a dog shake some of the soreness
he’d usually experience the morning after a tough day of hunting.
Another good
idea is to look up the phone numbers and addresses of the
veterinarians in the area you’ll be visiting, then put the list in
your wallet. Long-distance hunting trips are a thrill, but when
trouble happens, it usually happens quickly, and you’ll be glad
you packed this item ahead of time.
If you want
to review other information about dog training equipment, training
techniques or general hunting information to help you get the most
from your dog, I’ve been archiving such information at the
SPORTDOG Web site:
www.sportdog.net . Refer to this site often, as I will
be updating the information often.
Rhett
Kermicle has 20 years’ experience training hunting dogs. He is a
co-owner, guide and dog handler at Wild Wing Kennel in Sturgis,
Kentucky. For more information, go to
www.wildwingkennel.com .
Cutline for
photo: Late-season hunting in cold weather creates extra
challenges for hunting dogs, but with proper planning and your
help, you dog can still perform at his best.
