The American Beagler Forum

When it's really hot or the weather is horrendous, do you do anything different to keep your dogs in shape?

Same question can be applied if you aren't going to be able to run your dogs for awhile or if you want to supplement their training to maintain or increase their stamina.
Anybody do anything different beside just running your dogs to give them them the edge they need to stay sharp?

I personally just cut back on the feed a little and do short runs at night. I have heard of guys swimming their dogs , but I've never tried it. I'm sure it would work well though.

I run them all summer long around ponds and creeks....

I run in the evening and in swamps when they mostly dry up but have little spots of water. Iove the swamp, its also great in the winter when it freezes over, some of my big hound's longest runs were in a swamp.

Cooz's Beagles
Cooz's Just Snoopin Around
Lone Pine Cooz's Nicci

i run near a lake or at night.

Last year we had some realy hot weather and there were times I just did not go run them. I do not care if they get out of shape in the summer. It only takes a few weeks to get them back to running at a level I like. When hunting season got close, and I did take them out to get them going again, I would do it in the early morning and carry water for them (and me) with me and call them in to drink often. I kept a close eye on them and did not let them run too long. I heard of a lot of guys losing thier dogs to heat last year. Lets hope that does not happen again. If this spring is any indication of what our summer is going to be like, the heat should not be a problem this year.

I run my hounds all year around no matter what the weather is. All you have to do is be smart enough to stay near water. I have never even came close to losing a dog due to heat.

I put them on a treadmill

AprilD is going more along the lines I was thinking about. Most atheletes use different forms of strength and conditioning to improve their game regardless of what game they play. I was looking for alternative methods for training to increase strength and stamina. I have been thinking of using a swimming pool to make them work muscles they don't normally work. Keeps them cool, they really get a good stretch and helps strengthen them.

Anyone else use swimming, treadmills, etc.?

i run at night and also when i fish the rivers i bring my dog and usually get one heck of a work out swimming them heavy currents.

I put mine on the Tread Climber, and a Bowflex. Sometimes they also do Zumba Dance and Aerobics. I let my Old females do Pilates or Yoga as it is lower impact.

Crab, how you doing man?!! I see you still have your charming smart alec sense of humor.
That was too funny. Thanks for the laugh you ole' Virginia Loser.

mine are so good I don`t have to do anything with them.I`ll get them out late august,and they will run.I let em out in the yard a little ,and thats it.too many fish to catch right now.

My whole point was I have been reading several articles on people using all kinds of methods to condition their dogs.

One guy takes his dog out on the lake and lets it swim behind him while he paddles around. Claims it strengthens muscles that are hard to work. Gives the dog a good stretch. Causes less stress on joints, especially valuable for older dogs, etc.

Another guy in North Carolina has Dobermans that he uses for man tracking and he uses a weight sled with a small amount of weight to strengthen his dog. Says it helps strengthen his core while causing the dog to concentrate more on the task at hand which helps teach the dog to concentrate more while on track. He also said it causes less wear and tear on the dogs pads than taking it out and making it jog beside his truck on gravel/asphalt for 20 miles or so. He also said he could monitor the dogs exhaustion more closely this way and give it water more frequently.

Just wondered if any of you had ever thought about keeping your dogs in peak condition with alternate training methods other than just chasing rabbits. Obviously running rabbits would be the primary method of keeping them in shape, but it doesn't have to be all inclusive.

Many atheletes use weight training, plyometrics, jogging, etc. to get and stay in shape for their preferred sport. Many times these activities have very little to do with their actual sport, but it does enhance their performance.

Shoot Bopeye, Mine cant swim. all they can do is dog paddle!