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by Two Moons on 22 July 2010 - 18:07
Waves back,
Not really but if you ever do come through Indiana on or south of I-64 please let me know, I'd love to have you stop in or meet you midway somewhere.
By the way,
My three are all here at my feet today taking a break from the heat....lol
Moons.
Not really but if you ever do come through Indiana on or south of I-64 please let me know, I'd love to have you stop in or meet you midway somewhere.
By the way,
My three are all here at my feet today taking a break from the heat....lol
Moons.
by tuffscuffleK9 on 22 July 2010 - 18:07
THIS MIGHT HELP
When it comes to conditioning during extreme (97+ degrees) heat and high humidity (80% and above). Which is the norm for my part of the country. I have kept a chart over the years (having a Brother-in law, who is a storm chaser doesn't hurt) I have discovered that I can exercise and train from 6am-10am for their early workout; then 7pm to 9pm for the evening and be in a safe range.
Just like as with any athletes some common rules apply:
1. Work out during "safe" heat times (see above). Check your area heat by the hour to get a schedule.
2. Plenty of water to drink
3. Keep dogs cool by providing kiddy pools in kennels. Do not have any that lay in the pools but rather stand.
4. If pools are not possible - go to a pond or lake for swim.
5. I am installing a misting system in the kennels - similar to those on poultry houses - on a timer to cool the kennels during the heat of the day. This may sound as if it would soak the dog and prevent air to reach the skin. But its primary purpose is to cool the air. Can dop open kennels air temps by 10 degrees and with breeze blowing feels like more than that.
6. Keep training sessions short but frequent. A overly hot dog is like a tired dog, they will shut down on you and stop concentrating. Give a cool down break, while working another dog. Only during coolest AM/PM times.
7. During high temp season I change my feeding to 2 smaller portions rather than 1 large portion. Appetites drop of during high temp anyway. Watch for loose stools, feed conversion is also different during high temps, adjust feed accordingly.
Just some thoughts that may help.
TUFF
When it comes to conditioning during extreme (97+ degrees) heat and high humidity (80% and above). Which is the norm for my part of the country. I have kept a chart over the years (having a Brother-in law, who is a storm chaser doesn't hurt) I have discovered that I can exercise and train from 6am-10am for their early workout; then 7pm to 9pm for the evening and be in a safe range.
Just like as with any athletes some common rules apply:
1. Work out during "safe" heat times (see above). Check your area heat by the hour to get a schedule.
2. Plenty of water to drink
3. Keep dogs cool by providing kiddy pools in kennels. Do not have any that lay in the pools but rather stand.
4. If pools are not possible - go to a pond or lake for swim.
5. I am installing a misting system in the kennels - similar to those on poultry houses - on a timer to cool the kennels during the heat of the day. This may sound as if it would soak the dog and prevent air to reach the skin. But its primary purpose is to cool the air. Can dop open kennels air temps by 10 degrees and with breeze blowing feels like more than that.
6. Keep training sessions short but frequent. A overly hot dog is like a tired dog, they will shut down on you and stop concentrating. Give a cool down break, while working another dog. Only during coolest AM/PM times.
7. During high temp season I change my feeding to 2 smaller portions rather than 1 large portion. Appetites drop of during high temp anyway. Watch for loose stools, feed conversion is also different during high temps, adjust feed accordingly.
Just some thoughts that may help.
TUFF
by Slamdunc on 22 July 2010 - 19:07
Some very good suggestions offered here. Where I am it has been really hot all summer, the heat index is consistently over 100+ and temps are high 90's. I am forced to work my dog outside day or night. I also exercise my dog while working and do OB, track and narcotics work in the heat. I have no choice.
If I work my dog in the heat, I restrict water right after working. My dog gets a small amount, a cup or so and that's it. 10 minutes later I will give more. I do not wet my dog down, however, if I did I would not put him in a crate or the car wet. The heat coming off a wet dogs body in a crate creates a "steam" like effect. Never crate a hot, wet dog after exercise or training. If my dog over exerts itself, I walk the dog and place it in a cool spot, preferably AC in a building.
Stamina and endurance is a big factor as mentioned in other's posts. I also do not take my dog form an air conditioned car and straight to work or exercise. I acclimate my dog to the temperature first. I know Military guys that actually give an IV to their dog sub cu before going out on a mission. This hydrates the dog. I have seen dogs fall out from heat exhaustion and it can be critical very fast. You need to monitor your dog very closely in the heat.
I alos have a misting system for my kennels. I bought one form Home Depot for $10 and it works really well. I have a 17 nozzle system with 30' of hose for my kennels that I bought at Sam's club for $30. The misting system makes a big difference on a patio or in a kennel on a hot day.
Jim
If I work my dog in the heat, I restrict water right after working. My dog gets a small amount, a cup or so and that's it. 10 minutes later I will give more. I do not wet my dog down, however, if I did I would not put him in a crate or the car wet. The heat coming off a wet dogs body in a crate creates a "steam" like effect. Never crate a hot, wet dog after exercise or training. If my dog over exerts itself, I walk the dog and place it in a cool spot, preferably AC in a building.
Stamina and endurance is a big factor as mentioned in other's posts. I also do not take my dog form an air conditioned car and straight to work or exercise. I acclimate my dog to the temperature first. I know Military guys that actually give an IV to their dog sub cu before going out on a mission. This hydrates the dog. I have seen dogs fall out from heat exhaustion and it can be critical very fast. You need to monitor your dog very closely in the heat.
I alos have a misting system for my kennels. I bought one form Home Depot for $10 and it works really well. I have a 17 nozzle system with 30' of hose for my kennels that I bought at Sam's club for $30. The misting system makes a big difference on a patio or in a kennel on a hot day.
Jim
by GSDguy08 on 22 July 2010 - 19:07
We always get up early, early as 430 or 5 in the morning if we can. There is no way we could do our 5 mile walk/run in the heat, considering most of the dogs I have "Huskies" were bred to travel long distances daily, not to mention their thick double coat. I know if I don't run with my pack every morning I'll regret it, so I do it no matter how tired I am or bad I feel. As for training sessions with my guys, we just keep it short and then I bring them in to cool off and give them ice cubes. Our yard doesn't really have any good shade sports other than behind the cyphris trees (there are snakes, ticks, and tons of fleas back behind there) and shade in our front yard under the oak tree....but I would never kennel a dog, chain a dog, or have a dog in the front part of the yard period. So my dogs do stay inside when we're not walking, training, or just letting them run and play with each other.
by VomRuiz on 22 July 2010 - 19:07
My dogs ruined my mister system last year and I haven't replaced it yet :-(
It has been extremely difficult for me since I have my dogs in the house most of the time, they are not really acclimated to the heat, even the humidity is high for Vegas anyway...
I didn't work the dogs at all last week because even at 10 pm when I *starts* to cool down it's still over 100...and since it will be in the high 80s at night this week, we are going back to work this week, late at night. I missed a whole week with galan who is getting prepared for his BH in September, so we lost a valuable week there.
I have no lakes or ponds close by to speak of which is a real bummer, so we've been just lazing around the house.
Stacy
It has been extremely difficult for me since I have my dogs in the house most of the time, they are not really acclimated to the heat, even the humidity is high for Vegas anyway...
I didn't work the dogs at all last week because even at 10 pm when I *starts* to cool down it's still over 100...and since it will be in the high 80s at night this week, we are going back to work this week, late at night. I missed a whole week with galan who is getting prepared for his BH in September, so we lost a valuable week there.
I have no lakes or ponds close by to speak of which is a real bummer, so we've been just lazing around the house.
Stacy
by GSDtravels on 22 July 2010 - 20:07
Wow, thank you everybody, all very good advice! We don't normally have these temps for extended periods, but this year is a killer. A day or two without normal exercise would be okay but this year we've had more of these days than not. And the thunderstorms don't even cool things down, they just make the humidity worse!
Moons, I drove out Monday night, got a couple hours sleep and headed back in the morning. I took my daughter to pick up her new car. If I'm ever back that way, I'll let you know!
VM, my daughter's in Vegas for her birthday, I talked to her this morning and she told me it's over 100!! She's 30 today and shes' my baby. Isn't that something, can't figure out how she got to be the same age as me! LOL.
Moons, I drove out Monday night, got a couple hours sleep and headed back in the morning. I took my daughter to pick up her new car. If I'm ever back that way, I'll let you know!
VM, my daughter's in Vegas for her birthday, I talked to her this morning and she told me it's over 100!! She's 30 today and shes' my baby. Isn't that something, can't figure out how she got to be the same age as me! LOL.
by Keith Grossman on 22 July 2010 - 23:07
I really don't have a choice in the matter...if I go a day without taking Axel out for some exercise, he's bouncing off the walls and by the second day he's almost unbearable to live with. I have cut down the duration of our walks to a couple of miles plus his time in a nearby field during which he runs his ass off chasing moths but that's more for my own benefit than his.
I did take notice of something several days ago, though, that is worth mentioning as food for thought. Dogs pant to help regulate their body temperature. Axel, and I'm sure I'm not alone in this as it has been the case with most of my dogs, likes to carry things. Like many here, I use a hard rubber ball on a string as one of my training tools and take one on our walks to get his attention amongst the many distractions we encounter. At some point during a typical walk, he ends up keeping the ball and is perfectly happy carrying it for the entire duration. Normally I let him...he wins the game; he gets to keep his prize. The problem with this scenario in the heat is that he can not pant as effectively while carrying the ball as he can without it so I'll let him carry it for a while but will eventually take it from him and put it in my pocket until I need it again thereby allowing him to pant without the restriction of something in his mouth.
Like I said...just food for thought...
I did take notice of something several days ago, though, that is worth mentioning as food for thought. Dogs pant to help regulate their body temperature. Axel, and I'm sure I'm not alone in this as it has been the case with most of my dogs, likes to carry things. Like many here, I use a hard rubber ball on a string as one of my training tools and take one on our walks to get his attention amongst the many distractions we encounter. At some point during a typical walk, he ends up keeping the ball and is perfectly happy carrying it for the entire duration. Normally I let him...he wins the game; he gets to keep his prize. The problem with this scenario in the heat is that he can not pant as effectively while carrying the ball as he can without it so I'll let him carry it for a while but will eventually take it from him and put it in my pocket until I need it again thereby allowing him to pant without the restriction of something in his mouth.
Like I said...just food for thought...
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