Sponsored by: Eukanuba
There are a lot of ways to get gundogs ready for the upcoming upland and waterfowl seasons. But many of us aren’t pro trainers, and that means other things in life compete for our free time. To get focused, here are four tips from some top Eukanuba Pro Trainers.
Fit Is It
Dogs in excellent physical condition are more prepared to perform at high levels. Stephen Faust of North Carolina’s Stoneybrook Gordon Setters gets his string in shape beginning a few months ahead of go-time. According to Faust, “I run my dogs for much of the year, but due to the North Carolina summer heat I have to take a break. I’ll start back up about eight weeks before the opener by running my string for a half hour every other day. I maintain that time for the first two weeks, and I run them in coverts where they’ll hunt. After that second week, I’ll increase the run time to 40 minutes per day for the next two weeks. Ultimately, I shoot for an hour run time every other day, mostly because of the size of my string. I rotate between eight and 12 dogs, and that means each one gets enough work as well as rest. I also change my feeding routine. In the offseason they eat Eukanuba Premium Performance 26/16 EXERCISE, as they don’t need as many calories. They need more calories during the season, and that’s why I shift to Eukanuba’s Premium Performance 30/20 SPORT formula.”
Raise the Bar
Dr. Johnny Myers of the Animal Kare Center, in Paducah, Kentucky, uses a next-level approach to get his personal retrievers ready for the season. “Any physical activity that pushes an athlete beyond normal requirements helps elevate his level of play,” Myers said. “That’s why two-a-days are a staple in every football camp and why runners head to the oxygen-depleted mountains for high-elevation training. Cross-training is excellent for gundogs, as dogs that push beyond their normal physical requirements are typically in better shape, have more strength and flexibility, have better stamina through an increased VO2 max, and have faster recovery times. Cross-training also helps sharpen their minds. Dogs get bored running the same drills every day, and bored dogs lose focus, which never is a good thing.”
Practice as You Play
In the retriever realm, summer training focuses on blind retrieves, delivery to hand, heel work and more. It’s helpful to train with the equipment you’ll be using on your hunts. Chris Akin of Webb Footed Kennels, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, says, “My favorite thing to do with young dogs is to carry them out to the area I will be hunting prior to the season. I get them used to the stairs and ramps in the blind, they see where their dog box is, and they know where and how to get out for a retrieve. If you’re hunting out of a boat or using stands in the flooded timber, then it makes sense to do some drills there, too. Dogs that aren’t familiar with the gear you’ll use when early teal season kicks off can get nervous and unruly. We don’t want that, especially because it can be avoided if you train as you play.”
Handle the Handler
Sometimes it’s not the dog that needs work, it’s the handler. Mark Fulmer of Sarahsetter Kennels in Akin, South Carolina says, "I totally understand why some handlers over correct their dogs, he said. “They get excited, and they want their dogs to do well if not be perfect. But those frequent and repetitive commands can shut down a dog. If your dog isn’t focused on the task at hand, then use just enough effort to correct the unwanted behavior but not so much that the dog becomes either dominantly headstrong or passive. If a dog shuts down then leash him, walk him back to the truck and stake him out. All he probably needs is some time to calm down and rest. You can also let him watch while you work another dog. That helps rekindle his desire to get back to work. Be calm, and clearly tell your dog what you want him to do. Overcorrecting unwanted behavior usually doesn’t work. Odds are your dog already knows what he did wrong.”
Next-level performance doesn’t just come from working hard; it comes by working smart. Consider these pro tips, and get ready to enjoy the season ahead.
To learn more professional-dog-handler tips, visit Eukanuba Sporting Dog for articles and resources.
Photos courtesy of Eukanuba Sporting Dog.
