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TEXAS HEAT & DOG SAFETY

Spring has definitely come to our part of Texas and summer is just around the corner. With temperatures already climbing into the 80’s and very soon to be into the 90’s and even the 100’s, it’s a very good time to review the summer safety tips required to keep your dog safe. If you are physically active with your dog ensure first the dog is in good health and in good condition prior to the high temperatures we will see in July and August. In other words, get him/her in shape now before it gets too hot. Despite the heat, during the hot months you should only exercise your dog in the cool hours of the morning and ensure that you have cool fresh water available during the exercise. One of the bicycle water bottles make an excellent container that is also easy for you to carry. During the day if the dog is outside of an air conditioned facility, he/she should be in a well shaded and ventilated area with continuous access to cool clean water. Finally, never leave your dog inside your vehicle unattended – not even for a minute. Temperatures in a vehicle can soar well above 100 degrees in just a few minutes and your dog will succumb very quickly.


Additionally; for you active pet parents who use the ponds at your local parks; the hot weather plays a role in the growth of algae and parasites in the water.  Be sure the water is clean and cool before letting Fido swim. If the temperature of the water is too warm; it may do more harm than good by increasing Fido’s body temperature instead of cooling him/her off.
 

Be sure to check their ears and clean them to prevent ear infections as well. If you notice Fido has loose stool after swimming and it does not clear up in a couple of days; call your vet. Most likely Fido contracted a parasite from the pond. 
 

Look for safety tips for the Working Dog and Dove Season in the July Issue.

COMPETITION CORNER - By LTC John Kornman

The “No No” Drill

Pressure is a cornerstone of any retriever basic training program and is used quite frequently during advanced training as well. One of the most misunderstood and abused forms of pressure is the recall of your dog after he has been sent on a blind or on a marked retrieve. Depending on the drive and desire of the dog, a single recall can result in a “no go” the very next time you send your dog. The “No No” drill is a great conditioning tool to prepare your dog for the inevitable recalls that will occur due to poor initial lines or a deviation from a line because of water, terrain, a more desirable bird, or some other factor.
 

This drill is easy to set up and run with your dog. I like to use a long section of log for the obstacle as it is natural and something the dog would actually encounter in the field. If a log isn’t readily available, any obstacle that requires your dog to jump will work. I’ve used lumber, lay out blinds, and even several hay bales set end to end. This is an advanced drill and it is important that your dog is running cold blinds confidently before starting this drill.
 

To set the drill up, establish a pile of bumpers 25-50 yards on one side of the obstacle. Stand on the bumper pile side with your back to the obstacle and then heel, line, and send your dog to the pile. Repeat this a couple of times in order to teach your dog the pile’s location. Once the dog knows the location, send him again and immediately step back over the obstacle a few feet so that the dog must negotiate the obstacle on the return. Make sure that the dog takes a straight return line to you and jumps the obstacle. His return line is equally as important as his sent line, so handle as necessary to ensure a straight return over the obstacle. Once he is back at heel, send the dog again – over the obstacle and to the pile, with a return over the obstacle to arrive at your side. Now begin backing up from the obstacle before sending the dog. You want to back up in large enough increments to ensure that your dog attempts to run around the obstacle. When your dog attempts to avoid the obstacle by running around it, stop him, tell him “no no”, and call him back to heel. Move closer to the obstacle and resend your dog. If he’s successful, back up again, and continue. If he fails again, repeat the “no no” procedure and this time move very close to the obstacle to ensure the dog is successful. You don’t want more than two recalls in a row.
 

It is important that you back up far enough each time in order to get the dog to run around the obstacle. The drill is meant for conditioning the dog to being called back. It is not designed just to teach your dog to run a straight line over an obstacle. You should run this drill in two or three different areas with different obstacles over a 5-6 day period. When your dog responds confidently to the “no no” command, returns to heel, and drives hard over the obstacle on the next send, you are finished with the training. As a final note, the recall of your dog, regardless of conditioning, can rapidly erode his momentum and lead to no go problems. In many cases it is better just to sit your dog and handle as opposed to recalling all the way back to the line. The dog’s drive and desire, which can vary from day to day, have to be considered before making the decision to recall or just to handle.

When in doubt, handle!

Next month we will take a look at Dr Jack Gwaltney’s "Three Pile Drill". 
 

SUMMER TRIP - By TIM (Dogman)

Due to the summer heat, John Kornman and I are looking to head north the last week of July in order to continue training for six weeks in Parker, Colorado. I have access to an excellent kennel facility and several outstanding training properties with water. We will train 5/6 days a week and give the dogs Saturday/Sundays off pending schedule, weather, and dogs. This is an excellent opportunity to get your dog ready for the upcoming hunting season and/or the fall competition schedule. The plan is to return just prior to Labor Day weekend just in time for the dove season opener.

We need a count of how many clients would like to send their dogs on this trip. You are more than welcome to visit and train with us in Colorado. More details to come as plans are locked down and schedule is finalized. Shannon and other kennel staff will be at the kennels should I go north.  Please look for emails and updates in the coming weeks/month.
 

RESCUED - Looking for Good Home!

We have three great dogs in our kennel that need a good home.  Each have basic or advance obedience.  Snoopy is a Great Pyrenees, Outlow is a Lab Great Pyrenees mix; and Tiger is a Lab Shepard mix.

Great Pyrenees are great for protecting your livestock or heard.  If you know of anyone who might be interested; please give us a call @ 972-712-2515