How to Look After Your Gun Dog During the Shooting Season: Essential Tips for Success
How to Look After Your Gun Dog Duri...
Dan Smith
20 Dec 2024
How to Look After Your Gun Dog During the Shooting Season: Essential Tips for Success
As the shooting season kicks off, your gun dog is likely gearing up for an intense few months of action. Whether it’s flushing game, retrieving, or keeping pace with your hunts, your dog plays a vital role in your success. But to keep your gun dog healthy, happy, and performing at its best, it’s essential to provide the right care and attention during this busy season.
At Gundogs Direct, we know how important it is to have a well-maintained and well-cared-for dog. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on how to look after your gun dog during the shooting season.
1. Prepare Your Gun Dog for the Season Ahead
Before the season begins, make sure your gun dog is in top condition. Whether you’ve got a Labrador, Spaniel, Pointer, or Retriever, physical preparation is key to ensuring your dog performs at its best.
Physical Fitness
Exercise Regularly: Ensure your dog has a solid fitness routine leading up to the season. Regular walks, runs, and training sessions will help build stamina and ensure your dog isn’t caught off guard during long days in the field.
Proper Diet: Fuel your dog with a balanced diet that meets its energy needs. Dogs working in the field require more calories, so make sure their food supports both energy expenditure and recovery. High-quality dog food designed for active dogs can make a big difference.
Training Sessions: Refresher training sessions are crucial. Practice basic commands like "stay," "come," and "retrieve," and conduct mock shooting exercises to get your dog used to the noise and activity. A well-trained dog will be more confident and responsive during a hunt.
2. Ensure Your Gun Dog’s Health Is Top Notch
A healthy dog is a happy dog—and a more effective worker. There are several aspects of your dog’s health you’ll want to keep an eye on throughout the shooting season.
Vet Check
Health Assessment: Before the season begins, schedule a vet check-up to ensure your dog is in top health. A check for parasites (like ticks and fleas) is essential as these can cause discomfort and illness. Make sure vaccinations are up to date, especially for diseases common in outdoor environments.
Joint and Bone Health: The rigours of a shooting season can put a strain on your dog’s joints, particularly if they are retrieving heavy game. Consider supplements or joint care products that support mobility, such as glucosamine, omega oils, or joint-specific kibble.
Hydration
Always Keep Water Accessible: Long days in the field can easily lead to dehydration, especially if your dog is exerting a lot of energy. Always have fresh water available and ensure your dog takes regular breaks to drink, particularly on hot days.
Electrolytes: If you’re working in particularly hot conditions, providing a drink with added electrolytes can help your dog stay hydrated and replenish minerals lost during exertion.
3. Manage Your Gun Dog’s Coat and Skin Care
A gun dog’s coat plays a big part in its comfort and performance. With the unpredictable weather during shooting season, it’s important to keep an eye on your dog’s coat and skin.
Grooming
Regular Brushing: Depending on the breed, your dog may have a thick or dense coat that can get tangled with brambles or wet from the elements. Regular grooming will help prevent matting and remove debris like leaves, twigs, or mud that may get stuck in the fur.
Check for Injuries: After each outing, thoroughly check your dog for cuts, scrapes, or bruises that may have occurred during the hunt. Brambles, barbed wire, and even rough ground can cause injuries. Early detection is key to preventing infections.
Drying After Wet Conditions
Drying Off: If your dog has been working in the rain or has had a swim while retrieving, make sure to dry them off thoroughly to avoid hypothermia. A well-fitted dog coat or drying towel is a great addition to your gear.
Skin Care: Dogs with thick fur can be prone to skin irritation in wet or muddy conditions. Consider using a dog-specific conditioner or spray to protect the skin and maintain coat health.
4. Foot Care for Your Gun Dog
The condition of your dog’s feet is crucial for its performance in the field. Whether your dog is retrieving in the wetlands, braving rough terrain, or navigating through thorny underbrush, their paws take a beating during the shooting season.
Check for Cuts and Debris
Inspect Regularly: After every hunt, check your dog’s feet for cuts, bruises, or any debris like thorns or gravel that could get lodged in their paws. Removing foreign objects immediately can prevent discomfort or infections.
Paw Balm: Consider using paw balm or wax to protect the pads of their feet from rough terrain or icy conditions. This can prevent cracking and soreness.
Nail Clipping
Trim Regularly: Keeping your dog’s nails at the right length will prevent them from becoming caught in underbrush or causing painful injuries. Regular nail trims are important, especially if your dog spends a lot of time on hard ground or rough terrain.
5. Mental Stimulation and Bonding
Gun dogs thrive on mental stimulation and bonding with their handlers. A well-trained, confident dog is more likely to excel during the shooting season.
Positive Reinforcement
Reward System: Always reward your dog with praise, treats, or a toy after completing a successful retrieve or following commands. Positive reinforcement not only motivates your dog, but it also strengthens your bond, creating a solid partnership for the shooting season.
Mental Exercises
Engage in Mental Drills: As much as physical fitness is important, mental sharpness is equally essential. Incorporate scent training, memory exercises, and complex retrieves to keep your dog’s mind active.
Short Downtime: When not out in the field, give your dog some downtime to relax. Too much stimulation or overworking can lead to stress or burnout, which could affect their performance in the long run.
6. Safety and First Aid
Accidents can happen during the excitement of the shooting season, so it's crucial to be prepared for emergencies.
First Aid Kit
Basic Supplies: Always carry a well-stocked first aid kit when you head out in the field. This should include antiseptic wipes, bandages, gauze, tweezers, and any specific medication your dog may need (such as allergy medicine).
Know Basic Canine First Aid: Brush up on your first aid knowledge for dogs, especially for situations like bites, heatstroke, or injuries from rough terrain.
7. Post-Season Recovery
At the end of the shooting season, your dog will need time to rest and recover. Give them a break from regular hunting activities to allow their body and mind to recharge.
Slow Transition: Gradually reduce the intensity of their physical activities to allow your dog’s muscles to recover from the season.
Veterinary Checkup: Consider a post-season vet check to ensure your dog is in good health after a busy period of work.