Below are some suggestions that will help keep both you and your dog mentally and physically in shape for next hunting season.
Walk your dog on a leash daily. It doesn’t matter how big your yard is and especially if your dog is kenneled, you must walk your dog at least half-an-hour a day; the higher your dog’s energy level, the longer or more often you need to walk it. Walks provide your dog with exercise, but perhaps even more importantly they provide your dog with mental release from the cabin fever they get by being penned up all day. Exercise not only results in a more relaxed and balanced dog but it put your dog in a state of mind more conducive to training and obedience.
Refresher training. There is a saying that if you are not progressing then you are regressing. If you do not keep up with obedience training and hunting skills year-round, then both you and your dog are going to regress or lose ground. Fifteen minutes a day several times a week will almost certainly be enough, and you can probably mix a little obedience with your walks or play. Even if your dog has been through obedience training, consider enrolling for a refresher; not only are there are always new methods and techniques for doing things, but bad habits can slip in without you seeing them.
Hunting skills. Once or twice a week, spend a little bit of time with your dog on his/her hunting skills. Were there things that your dog had problems with last hunting season? If so, you can work on them now. What were you doing or not doing that caused your dog’s problems? Think about it and then work on them. NAVHDA, AKC, and hunting dog books and magazines are all resources that should be considered.
New skills. Keep yourself and your dog mentally active by teaching him one or two new tricks. Buy a couple of books on dogs tricks; this will help you become a better instructor and your dog will be mentally challenged. You have about 9 months to teach your dog a new hunting skill, and you can work on certifications as well; for example, if your dog has a Good Canine Citizen certification, you can receive discounts on your dog at some hotels, etc.
Hunt during the off-season. Check bird hunting preserves in your area and if they offer year-round hunting, fork out the fee and take your dog hunting several times to keep his or her skills sharp. If you have taught your dog a new hunting skill, take it out of the back yard and into the field before the next hunting season begins.
Involve your dog in your life. The more time you and your dog spend together, the more comfortable you become together and the better your relationship become; like any team, the better you understand each other, the more cohesive you are and it will show during hunting season – if you are a good team or pack leader. Ignoring your dog except for when you want him “on demand” not only messes with your dog’s mind, but it can create behavioral problems, and neither one of you fully understand or trust the other.
Finally, simply enjoy your dog because time flies and you never know how many hunting seasons you have together.
Tags: dog care, dog training
