Just another quick reminder to all of you running your dogs in the “off season”, in regards to exercise and training. As temperatures rise, let’s all be conscious of that heat. Making more water available to our dogs, shortening the length of their runs, and trying to use the cool morning and evening hours for their exercise will keep them safe, healthy, and happy. Every year dogs die from heat exhaustion that could have been prevented, and sadly it is nobody fault but the dog handler. Let’s make sure this does not happen to any of our dogs...

In many parts of the country snake season will also quickly be upon us, if it isn’t already. So let’s all be conscious of that as well. Most importantly, any unusual swelling or unusual behavior after a run this time of year earns an immediate trip to the vet. There is a ton of good information on the internet regarding snake bites and dogs, and obviously your veterinarian is a great resource to answer all of you questions. So, if you haven’t already, please take the time to do a little research. It could someday save your dog’s life.

This is a great time of year to take your dogs swimming. It is great for their health, their joints, and their conditioning. For you guys with retrieving dogs this is standard practice, but for us pointing dog people it can be part of our conditioning program as well. I have seen a few pointers that hate to swim, and many that love it. Lucky for me my dogs love to swim, and are very good at it. They have had lots of opportunities to swim since they were just puppies, so maybe that is why. When the rare opportunity for them to make a water retrieve arises while out hunting, they are all over it. And, at the end of the day, hunting dog or not, most dogs just love to play in the water.

Best,

Jay