Training question

by DavC on 14 August 2010 - 23:08

With the oppressive heat we have had how does everybody keep their dogs motivated? I try and train early and late but with the temps and heat indexes in the high 90's and most of the time over 105-110 I can only get about 5 min of good attention before the dogs are done and ready to get cooled off.

by Heidi1068 on 14 August 2010 - 23:08

Yeah we had the same problem today at schutzhund training. Most of the dogs including mine were only good for a short bit and it seemed they werent biting as hard. We ALOT of breaks and cooled them with ice water and ice cubes to lick.

Cathy

by ShadyLady on 14 August 2010 - 23:08

Yeah, the key in the summer is to just try and maintain what training you have and build on it during the cooler weather.

by britny034 on 15 August 2010 - 00:08

Some neat treats to give your pup during those hot hours of training are "Frosty Paws". It is an icecream created for dogs and sold in your local grocery store (Walmart). I always keep a small cooler to chill the water, and it also does a good job of keeping the icecream treats from melting as well!

by ALPHAPUP on 15 August 2010 - 14:08

DAV -- why are you even considering training your GSD in temps@ 105F outdoors .put another way >>> would you like to be worked in a physical and mental manner in that context out doors ?/ then don't ask that of your dog ... BUT much can be done indoors in air conditioning in a sport and / or that will transfer to your sport. e.g you can practice an out .. doesn't have to be on a sleeve. you can practice a retrieve .. doesn't have to be 10o yards away . you can polish your obedience. remember dogs are .. animals [ meaning similar bio-physiology .. did you ever see a dog get a heart attack , heat stroke ?? ..just as we are ..they are not machines ..

by Platz752 on 15 August 2010 - 20:08

Sat + Sun we start tracking at 0630 when it is still in the 80's, OB and protection between 8 and 9AM then back home before it gets triple digits. Keep sessions short, except tracking :) Mon thru Fri we get a few short sessions just around sunset.

by leciesters doghandler on 15 August 2010 - 21:08

i tought ice cold water was not good for dogs

by Cathy Sikes on 16 August 2010 - 17:08

My 8mo eats around 6:00-6:30am, around an hour later we take our walk. then we rest on the pillow with his squeaky toy. You can work on sit, stay, down etc inside when the weather is way too hot. We do play at very very short intervals outside periodically outside. Also, if you have a pool and your GSD enjoys water, this is a good time to exercise.

by Cathy Sikes on 16 August 2010 - 17:08

My 8mo eats around 6:00-6:30am, around an hour later we take our walk. then we rest on the pillow with his squeaky toy. You can work on sit, stay, down etc inside when the weather is way too hot. We do play at very very short intervals outside periodically outside. Also, if you have a pool and your GSD enjoys water, this is a good time to exercise.

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