Prepare your dog for hunting season
Hunting places significant demands on the dog's fitness, musculature, coordination and ability to work over time. A dog that goes from normal everyday activity to long days in demanding terrain is at greater risk of fatigue and strain injuries. Therefore, training should start well in advance of the hunting season and be adapted to the dog's age, health, training background and the type of hunting it will be used for.
Training should be built up gradually. As the hunting season approaches, the dog should already be used to the type of stress it will encounter during hunting. In the last few days before a demanding hunting period, it is usually more appropriate to maintain fitness and ensure good recovery than to try to increase the amount of training further.
What should you prepare before hunting with a dog?
Physical training and endurance
Good basic fitness reduces the strain when the dog has to work for a long time in the forest, mountains or other demanding terrain. Training can consist of walks in varied terrain, running, swimming and other activities that suit the dog. The strain should be increased gradually in both duration and intensity.
It is also useful to train specifically for the conditions the dog will encounter while hunting. A dog that will be working for several hours in hilly terrain should not only be used to short, intensive training sessions on flat ground.
Monitor how your dog recovers after exercise. If there is persistent lameness, obvious stiffness, pain, reduced work motivation or an abnormally long recovery period, the load should be reduced and the dog should be assessed further.
Training in a hunting environment
The dog should be accustomed to the environment and tasks it will encounter while hunting. This may include terrain, vegetation, game scent, gunfire, other dogs, transportation, and periods of high activity and anticipation.
Habituation should be controlled and gradual. A dog that shows clear fear or stress, for example when shot, should not be pushed further into the situation. Such reactions should be handled systematically through appropriate training.
Obedience and summons
When hunting, safe and reliable recall is especially important. The dog should be able to interrupt activity and respond to the handler even when strongly motivated by scent, game or other disturbances.
Other skills depend on the type of hunting, but may include calmness, retrieval, stop command and cooperation at a distance. Training should, as far as possible, be carried out under conditions similar to those the dog will encounter in practice.
Food and energy needs during hunting
A dog that works a lot may have a significantly higher energy requirement than at other times of the year. How much the requirement increases depends on factors such as hunting style, work intensity, duration, temperature, the dog's size and training status.
The food should be complete and balanced and provide sufficient energy for the dog's activity level. Dogs that work long and regularly may benefit from a more energy-dense food, but the choice of food should be adapted to the individual dog. The goal is for the dog to maintain good body condition and muscle mass throughout the hunting period.
If you are changing food, the transition should be done gradually so that your dog's stomach and intestines have time to adjust. How quickly a food change can be made varies between dogs, and dogs that have previously reacted to food changes may need a slower transition.
Avoid giving a large meal right before hard physical activity. On long hunting days, the daily ration can be divided so that the dog gets food and recovery without having to work with a very full stomach. The most important thing is a feeding routine that the dog is already accustomed to before the hunting season starts.
Fluid and heat load
The dog should have regular access to fresh water throughout the hunting day. Do not wait until the dog appears very thirsty or exhausted before giving it the opportunity to drink.
In hot weather, the risk of overheating increases, especially during intense activity. Heavy or persistent panting, decreased coordination, weakness, vomiting, collapse, or altered mental status are warning signs. Activity should be discontinued and the dog evaluated promptly.
Check paws and body after the hunt
After hunting, you should examine the paws, claws, skin and fur for wounds, lacerations, foreign bodies and other injuries. Also look for lameness or unusual stiffness once the dog has rested and begins to move again.
A hunting dog can continue to work despite pain or incipient injury, so changes in movement pattern, pace, or willingness to work should be taken seriously.
