Roading Your Bird Dog
By Jim Kesel
Every fall hundreds of bird dogs die or are permanently disabled needlessly by their owners. These dogs die of heart failure, dehydration, heat exhaustion and complications from overexertion. Their owners are either too lazy or are ignorant to the fact that you cannot take an out of shape bird dog out on opening day and expect them to perform well. It is no different that asking the dog's out of shape owners to run a marathon. Many would also die of heart attacks, strokes or heat exhaustion. A bird dog whether it is in top condition or over weight will hunt itself to death for its owner.
A competent bird dog owner will not risk letting his dog die needlessly in a selfish manner. This time of year it is hot and difficult to train your dog during the midday. However you can get up before dawn and road your dog and yourself for an hour. Roading used to be done with horses at dawn to get the dogs in shape and now days some trainers use 4 wheelers for the same job. However you can spend an hour with your hunting dog pulling you a mile at dawn, it will do wonders for both of you. Spend a few dollars and get a harness for this purpose. Do not use a choke collar and always carry water. It is real easy to teach a good bird dog to drink from a water bottle. Remember this is not a stroll around the block but an exercise session for you and your hunting dog. Keep the pace up but make sure your bird dogs works hard pulling you along. Your dog will love it and you can add some obedience refresher training as well as reinforcing the whoa command when you are done with your workout.
After a couple of weeks when the fall temperatures begin to drop your bird dog will be ready to do some field work. Keep your work outs to less than 30 minutes to begin with especially if the temperatures are above 75 degrees. Again frequently offer water to your hunting companion. Your goal should be to have your hunting dog work birds at normal speed for about an hour and a half in cool weather. Frequent rest in the shade even if it is the shade from your body is important. Watch your bird dog's diet and feed your dog prior to roading, field training and hunting. Many people miss this important point. Some feel you should feed your hunting dog after you have work them but your bird dog will not perform without the necessary body fuel.
If you have more than one bird dog you should rotate your dogs every 30 to 45 minutes. Hunting dogs that are kenneled in your vehicle or trailer should have lots of ventilation and shade. In the south where weather is warmer quail dogs are rotated and rested about every 30 minutes. If your bird dog become fatigued take a break with water and walk your dog at heel back to the vehicle. If you have a bird dog than the hunt is about the dog work not about how much ground you cover or how many birds you put up. As any US Marine Platoon Sergeant knows that "if you take care of your people they will take care of you" It is the same for hunting dogs. If you take care of them then they will hunt hard and efficiently for you. Remember never over hunt your bird dog, hunt an over weight or out of shape hunting dog. You could kill them.
James Kesel, MS is the publisher of Bruce Point Outdoors. Providing information on hunting, shooting and camping gear and how to affectively use it.
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