Hot dogs;tracking&bitework - Page 1

It may sound stupid but with the threads on bloat and further reading on this deadly condition I am concerned. My concern being we normally track around six am and our track is about 4-500 feet long and four hotdogs sliced about a dime thick. Not every step is a treat but we do bitework about 2 hours later and I am concerned about bloating . the introduction of food in tracking and then the rigors of bitework about 2 hours later. Is there a risk of bloating due to the introduction of food @ tracking or should tracking be done after bitework? Sorry for being stupid about it but it worries me! Tahnks

no need to apologize or feel stupid.  your concern for your dog should always be at the top of the list for priorities.  

personally i have never had a problem with tracking, then doing ob and later protection.   i do use very small bites of food on the track.  i dont like my dog to have to stop and chew.    when using hot dogs i would cut them lengthwise twice, so they are quartered then dice them into small pieces.   as the dog is tracking they basically suck them up and keeep going.  they dont have to stop and chew.  also if done this way, you  would be feeding 1/4 of what you are now on the track.

good luck, and even with all the b.s. that goes on here keep asking questions when you have them.  

john

Thanks John  !! I do sometimes half the dogs then slice I try to keep the slices as thin as possible. Yes quatering would be even better and Thak you so much!

Ray,

Can't remember where I read it but I read to try and prevent bloat you should wait at least an hour after your dog eats before doing anything rigorous.

Jen

Again agreeing with John.  I cut the food into really small pieces, I will vary rewards between, lunchmeat, hotdogs, cheese and other things.  If I am working other phases I will keep the rewards lighter and perhaps the track a bit shorter.  Also try not to be predictable with how you give the rewards.  I have usually let my dogs rest at least 30-45 minutes before I will do obedience.  the longer the track the lighter OB I will do then give the dog another rest and do protection   Hope this helps

Jeff

Again agreeing with John.  I cut the food into really small pieces, I will vary rewards between, lunchmeat, hotdogs, cheese and other things.  If I am working other phases I will keep the rewards lighter and perhaps the track a bit shorter.  Also try not to be predictable with how you give the rewards.  I have usually let my dogs rest at least 30-45 minutes before I will do obedience.  the longer the track the lighter OB I will do then give the dog another rest and do protection   Hope this helps

Jeff

The other factor in bloat is water consumption.  Make sure whatever you use for tracking, hot dogs, all natural rolled foods ect do not swell in water and that she only get small amount to drink before and after activities.  A tank ful of water is just as dangerous as a tank full of food.

While taking what preventive measures you can to prevent blaot, keep in mind that you DO need to give the dogs "something" while you are doing all this rigorous work with them. Why? Because dogs can become hypoglycemic from exertion and nothing to keep the blood sugar levels up. I never woried about it before, UNTIL a friends dog died, as a result of low blood sugar. The only food he'd received was 1 1/2 hot dog at tracking on a warm summer day. They did OB and a couple rounds of Protection, plus some tug-playing. The dog was kept well-hydrated, as nearly as anyone could tell. After getting home, he seized. The owner, a former vet tech, though heat stroke and treated him accordingly. She then loaded him in the car and sped to the vet's. After seizing a couple more times, the dog went into arrest and died. Necropsy determined that the seizure and death was due to low blood sugar. IOWs, he'd crashed the same as a diabetic would have. Since that time, I hae made a point of keeping and giving in small "drips and draps" dried venison treats , jerky or some kind of small form of protein to maintain blood sugar levels throughout the day. As pointed out, these should not be treats that are likely to absorb water and swell. Dried meat works well.

When I am working my dogs rigorously I give K9 Power Go-Dog periodically throughout the day, befor eand after work sessions. Unlike suger, the dextrose in energy drinks goes directly into the dogs' systems through the stomach wall. Thus it is absorbed, raises blood sugar immediately without filling the stomach.
Honestly, I swear by the stuff and so do a lot of top trainers. That's why the concession ran out twice at the very-hot, humid Masters tournament last June.

SS