trialing at high altitude while living at sea level

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by Changer on 09 March 2009 - 21:03

What are other people's experiences with this? Should I get there early, work him hard then let him rest a couple days before the trial and build up his blood count? Or will I make him sick if I work him too hard too early? Should I let him rest up, get used to the altitude, then work him right before the trial?
He is in very good shape already.

by raymond on 09 March 2009 - 21:03

From a medical standpoint you should not trial him without first allowing him prolonged exposure to the high altitude. building up his blood count has nothing to do with the high altitude! the difference in oxygen content is the main concern. I am a scuba diver( which qualifies my statement about o2 content and altitudes) and it is extremely important for your dog to be well conditioned at the altitude you are trialing at. do not consider it a light matter when going from sea level being conditioned and then to high altitude exertion with out conditioning!! It is extremely dangerous!

by Changer on 09 March 2009 - 21:03

So considering that I live at sea level and short of hiking up Mt Ranier and allowing my dog to hang out at high altitude, is there any way to condition him for it? In your opinion, how many days before the trial would be necessary to condition him to the altitude? Should I make him take it easy and not work him hard at all the three days before the trial to avoid making him sick? Does he just need to be in the environment to start to aclimate? Should I concentrate on lung expanding activities months before the trial to do the best I can to get him ready?

by jayne241 on 09 March 2009 - 22:03

At least for humans, I think it takes about a week to adjust to higher altitudes... for example going from near-sea level to about 7500 feet. Possibly 2 weeks to completely adjust.

I've heard of athletes sleeping in hypobaric chambers in preparation for events at higher altitudes... if you happen to have one lying around! Otherwise, yep a nice camping trip up Mt Rainier sounds nice.

IMHO I thought building up the supply of red blood cells *was* part of it: more red blood cells = more oxygen carriers. When adjusting to higher altitudes I always found myself craving red meat, especially thick juicy steaks, I assume for the iron content.

by Mystere on 09 March 2009 - 23:03

Shade,

Try going over to Bozeman to do some training (with Mike Ellis ?) prior to the nationals, and going on to Denver from there. I believe that Big Sky is having him in at the end of May. (Check the schedule) Bozeman is WAAAY above sea-level. I have gotten altitude sickness nearly every time I've gone there or to Denver, at least for "dog stuff." When I have gone over for non-dog trials, I am so revved up that the altitude didn't bother me, but my allergies never bother me then, either.

I don't think a dog is going to have that type of "insulation," because it is apparently a mind/body issue. So, you must condition him. Otherwise, the dog, and you , are going to be at a real disadvantage in Mile High territory. JMHO

Okay, I checked their website and (naturally, I am right

"We are happy and proud to have Michael Ellis for a 3-day seminar on May 23, 24 and 25, 2009. Michael is well-known for his clear communication as well as his incredibly rich knowledge of dog behavior and how to apply it.

This seminar will focus on the obedience and protection phases of Schutzhund/IPO, as well as French Ring and MondioRing exercises. More information on Michael's training philosophy and approach can be found at his web site http://www.loupsdusoleil.com.

The cost of the seminar with a dog will be $100 per day, or $275 for all three days; a spot for the weekend can be held with $100 non-refundable deposit. Spectators (no dog) will be $50 per day (and the experience is almost as good as with a dog!).

Deposits may be send to Jessica Boerger at 13715 Springhill Rd, Belgrade, MT 59714

For more information contact Warren at wjonesk9 at gmail dot com or 406.581.7331. "

So, there ya go!!

by hodie on 09 March 2009 - 23:03

It takes almost 3 weeks for the body to acclimate to high altitude and produce enough additional red blood cells. Obviously, you are not trialing on top of Mount Hood. So just use common sense. Make sure the dog is well nourished, well hydrated and don't over do it at the event in Montana or Denver. Make allowances for more rest for the dog. The dog will be fine unless it has some medical issue.

As for you, and your prior altitude sickness, generally we see that only with people who have some underlying medical condition. But the same could be said for you in terms of making sure you are fit to visit at medium altitude. I would not suggest going up into the mountains of Colorado, for example.

Good luck.

by Mystere on 09 March 2009 - 23:03

Bozeman should have good weather at the end of May and not be unbearably hot, yet. They have a lot of dirt tracking available and the dirt is sooooo soft, you could sink in it. The club is comprised of some very "good people" and they have a beautiful training field. Bozeman is a college town and home to transplanted Californians, so there are good restaurants and variable housing options. Heck, the Joneses might even let you camp there-- just ask and see.

Going up to camp on Mt. Rainier and coming back down each time (assuming you intend to do it repeatedly), is not going to do any good to acclimate him to trialing at high altitudes, IMO. You do have to come back down each time, and Reiki will go right back to "sea level" each time.

Contact Hodie about this. She hosted the Czech team in Colorado last summer in preparation for the WUSV. I bet they had some acclimating to do, too, unless they were all mountain folk.

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