Blind Ambitions

As the dog days of summer continue and Labor Weekend gets closer and closer, here in the south, Labor Day means one thing, the opening of dove season. Here in North Carolina we are lucky, again this year we get resident goose and dove openers on the same day. This means September 1st will be a full day. Often times Septemeber goose and dove season means 80-90 degree days, hunting in shorts and T-shirts and getting a sunburn. An early morning on the river or in a layout blind shooting honkers, some good ‘ol NC BBQ around 11:00 and a comfy dove stool that afternoon has the making for a great day. However, one thing many folks don’t think about is the toll a day like that will take on a dog. Those hot temperatures and running through fields fetching up birds all day can be tough on a dog, and without precautions, may wind up being fatal.

There are a few things to remember on those hot, double duty days. First thing is bring along plenty of water for your dog. It doesn’t take too much room to pack a few gallon jugs of water on the truck. Also don’t give the dog ice water, just use cool water. I have also heard folks say they don’t feed their dog before hunts. I disagree, the dog needs the calories to perform throughout the day, just be sure and get up early to feed the dog before the hunt. When you stop for lunch and have the dog on the truck, park your truck where the dog box or crate is in the shade and facing away from the sun; even if it means a longer walk to get lunch (also the cooling fans on the box or crate are a great idea here). Feed the dog something at lunch time. I will usually give a cup of food at this point to replinish some of the calories burned in the morning, so the dog is ready for the afternoon, and again provide plenty of water. When you head out for the hot afternoon hunt, if possible set up in the shade, and again bring plenty of water. If the dog is panting hard, and getting hot, rub cool, not cold, but cool, water on it ears, armpits and belly to help aid in cooling the dog down. If the dog shows any effects of overheating, get it cooled down quickly and get to a vet. One thing I do is have my vet’s phone number programmed in my cell phone, along with a 24 emergency center. if I am huntign out of town, I google local vet offices for where I will be and print their numbers and directions and put these in a notebook in my truck.

A few simple precautionary measures will keep your dog running hard after birds all day.

Squirting some cool water on the dog during a hot or training session is always a good idea, and the dogs like it too.