Forums Search

Please Register to post to the American Pointing Labrador Association Forums
Author Messages Oldest First Newest First Jay Topeka, KS Go GORILLAS!! Master Online Status: Posts:622 12/15/2006 9:20 AM Alert  Okay guys, and gals, let's talk about something.  Well, after getting shot down and shot down for hunting permissions I am just about ready to hang it up until I can get a boat next year for any hunting around here.  The last talk with a landowner however got me permission to train on one of his stock ponds, though I can't shoot the geese because the family likes them.  Well, this pond is probably the most technical piece of water around, so I was happy with the trade .  It's a medium sized pond, and has a finger running right up the middle close to half the length.  I can finally have a place to do some re-entries, and point work in preparation for the games this spring.  Anyways, how cold is too cold for an experienced dog (vest if needed)?  I know that you want it warm for pups, but this dog can usually handle water pretty well.  I was thinking of keeping it short of course, maybe 2 retrieves (3 if I need to fix something  ).  It's getting back up to the 70's around here, so the water "shouldn't" be too cold. I'll see if I can get some pics up so that you can give me some ideas.  I also got permission to use some stick ponds.  They are unfortunately fairly large, with very few other features, but water none the less. I just need to move closer to Wendell! One more thing, what's the best way to tell the temp of the water if you are that specific? Jay There is a fine line between a hobby and a mental illness. GMPR APR HR Tornado Allie of Blk Forest rion Spokane, WA Advanced Online Status: Posts:175 12/15/2006 11:13 AM Alert  well I am by no means a vet but Thea was out in the water after we broke a hole in the ice, air temp was 12 degrees, water had a couple inches of ice on it before we broke it and she made about 12 retrieves without a problem bsmiley Fishers Indiana Advanced Online Status: Posts:256 12/20/2006 5:23 PM Alert  Jay, I would bet that Allie will let you know when she has had enough in cold water. My personal experience with Cody is that when he was young (around 1) he would sometimes sit and shiver at heal after multiple trips in cold water. So, I would just move on to land and give him a chance to run it off (respect the dog). Now at 3 he does not seem to react to really cold temps. I don't do prolonged work in the water though, just long enough to run the setup lesson. This is TRAINING, though. In late season hunting when it is really cold and he needs to break ice or make multiple retrieves in very cold water, I put the neoprene vest on him. It is partly for safety and partly because I choose to have him inside full time and as a result he keeps the short "slicky" coat year round. This has worked well retrieving multiple limits of ducks at temps down to 5 degrees. Again, I think she will let you know when she has had enough. If that is not enough for what you need to get done you may try the vest to see if it extends her time. Cody, 2XGMPR, MH Yeager, CPLD (Certified Pointing Lap Dog) Cruz, GMPIA (Grand Master Pain in ...) KwickLabs Roscoe, IL Master Online Status: Posts:679 12/20/2006 5:50 PM Alert  From what I've learned a dog will react differently to adrenalin type retrieves (real birds) in that cold doesn't seem to bother them much. However, training pressure tends to make a dog feel the cold more and can lead to an aversion to cold water in general if pushed too much. Using a vest and limiting retrieves to fun type situations should help to eliminate the possible negative impact of pressure driven water retrieves. Around here the water is so hard.....we could do "over the water" retrieves. Which reminds me of the hunting trip involving a pessimist and an optimist. The optimist had a sensational dog and could not resist finally asking his pessimistic friend to come along on a mallard hunt. Not much was said as the decoys were placed, but it appeared they were going to have a good day. A mallard was soon dropped, and the optimist sent is Lab for the retrieve. Leaping out of the boat, the dog never really entered the water and flew so fast he just "walked" to the duck, snatch it up and returned across the across the water the same way......never even got wet. Nothing was said even after several ducks were retrieved in the same manner. Finally, the optomist couldn't stand it anymore and he asked his pessimistic friend, "What do you think of my dog?" After a moment of reflection the pessimist matter of factly answered........"Your dog can't swim." Jim Boyer www.kwicklabs.com Home of: MPR UH HRCH Kwick Taffey of Joemac's MH Kwick Kooly Dew It Allstar SH Kwick Daisy's Spirit Keeper SH Kwick Draw McGraw ("Dustbucket" II) ---------------------------------- "Excellence is Expected"
Please Register to post to the American Pointing Labrador Association Forums
Forums > American Pointing Labrador Association > Training > Cold water