Rene396;

Being from Florida I know about heat and humidity all too well! Roadwork is done all over the world with dogs and it can be quite successful if not overdone. The problem is that while you can condition the dog to gain stamina, you are always going to be limited in how well he can tolerate the heat and humidity.

People can tolerate h/h better than dogs, so do not go by what you consider to be "too" hot or humid. A good rule of thumb often used by marathon runners is the "70/70" rule. Any time the ambient air temp is 70 degrees or higher AND the humidity is 70 percent or more, you have reached conditions that call for very close observation of both people and dogs where heavy physical exertion is concerned. (80/60 is also valid)

Humidity prevents evaporation, which holds the "heat load" in the body longer. Death will occur in both dogs and humans at somewhere around 108 degrees F. BUT...the dog starts at 101-102, he is wearing a fur coat, and he cannot sweat to any significant degree. You MUST be careful that a dog with serious drives does not work himself to death...happens every year.

Yes, I am aware that here and in La. these conditions prevail for much of the year, and you can still work dogs in these conditions, but you absolutely must be cautious, or you will find yourself with a dog down from heatstroke and/or dehydration. (There is a reason clubs do not offer AD tests in the hot months!) Typically, a dog that has once gotten "bear caught", as the old folks call heat exhaustion/stroke, will forever be more susceptible to a repeat episode.

Actually, if you have access to deserted area roads, you can usually just put the dog out and drive away...he is not going to let his meal ticket get far without chasing it! You only need do this two or three times and he will learn to love this new activity. Early AM is, by far, the best time since, as you know, it really does not cool off much in our evenings until around 3-4AM.

Begin with only a few hundred yards or so, and be careful not to run over your dog(!) In cooler weather, several miles is easily within reach of a well conditioned animal.

Better is swimming, but, here in the deep south, cottonmouths, rattlers and gators will preclude this in many ponds and lakes...watch for broken bottles, etc. that Billy-Bob and Suzy-Jane have thrown away in the water. (eco-sensitive darlings that they are)

You can also do pretty good "wind-sprints" with the two-ball game assuming your dog has good ball drive and you have some room for long throws.

Also, a 90lb. dog has a good bit of body mass, in hot weather, keep him VERY lean...not starved, but lean! Good Luck.

I live in a very temperate climate and I love it, don't know how you turkeys in the southland can keep big hairy dogs in that heat. What a pain.

Anyway, I have one, not so nice comment. I would call this the LAZY way to condition one's dog. How about getting out there with one of those ball slings and shoot some tennis balls into low orbit for fido to chase. I do this before and after our morning runs. (I don't run very far, but I sure try. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> )

Sitting in the back of the truck, sluggin' back brews and eatn' crayfish n' gumbo, while poor Fido is runnin' his nutz off just doesn't make much sense to me. How bout' both of you condition? Just an idea. . . <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

(If you are like over 60, then I understand. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> )

Hi renee396 - I missed the louisiana part in your previous posts - yes you are going to have to be very careful about the heat and humidity thing.
We don't do any sled dog training when the temps
are above 15 degrees celcius and even then you have to be really careful. Frisbee at the beach sounds a little safer until you factor in the snakes and gators thing I always thought bears, porcupines and moose were the worst things you could run into on a run! This Louisiana place
sounds scary!

I live in the Northwest, and we don't have venomous snakes in the water, so that did not cross my mind when I mentioned swimming! Since you do have them, I wouldn't recommend the swimming, unless you know someone with a pool, who doesn't mind dog hair! From the info that has been gleaned from further posts, I'd say that you got some good info for working in your particular climate.

Just a quick note about letting the dog "run along-side the meal ticket"

Ex-BF decides to do this with DUMB labrador....

Lab smells a interesting smell and dog investigates smell.....

YELP!!!!

Nose smooshed below rear truck tire. No break, but most all the flesh was torn away from the bottom of his jaw.... Guess who had to clean that puppy

He wasn't going fast, and he was watching the dog, but sh!t happens. I agree with VanCamp and my previous post.

If you are dead set on the road-work idea, do it with a person and have the dog BEHIND the vehicle.

Rene and Schnauzergirl;

I am not necessarily recommending this...but I know many, many people who do it. I used to be one, but I was where I knew the terrain like the back of my hand, and within a restricted area where other motor vehicles were not allowed.

Usually, a dog that has never been taught this will run behind the vehicle, then graduate to running in front as he gains confidance. However, many European dogs have been taught to run beside a bicycle, and if you do this with one of them, they will station themselves and run next to the driver's door. (Potential problem in progress)

You are right, Schnauzergirl, when you say there are better ways, and my personal belief is that swimming is the best...just know whereof you swim!

I agree with Schnauzergirl and Van Camp. Getting the dog good with the tennis ball exercise is great. If you do it enough he'll drag ass after awhile. I'd 86 the truck idea, I know though it was just a question. I like the swimming idea too.

Where I'm from the lakes have plenty of cottonmouth snakes but since its Texas my situation is close to yours Renee. The pool is the best choice because you don’t have any morons disrupting your training with their dog or something. I know though not everyone has pool access. Some lakes I guess would be ok? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Also for anyone that lives in certain parts of the country do like Ikor says and be careful with the heat. I don't know if I'd want my dog swimming in Florida's lakes, their alligators get alitte too big for my taste. One might decide to take your pooch for a ride or snack. LOL

This is my routine for my dog. 4 mile walk in the morning. In the late evening when I know I have the park to myself I would drive to a park and do alot of fetch. Then I go into the tennis court and we do jumps over the net back and forth. More walking and more jumps over the bike rack. She used to do the 4 foot fence but now refuses so I don't push it. Now that the weather is warmer we take a bike ride to the park it's 3 miles each way. I let her walk around no jumps and we go back home.

Milt what kind of dog do you have? Just curious, you can mail me a response.

VanCamp I'm not sure. We found her at a shelter. She was 8 weeks old and someone brought in the remians of a litter that they couldn't sell. The card on her said boxer, rott, lab, and collie. She looked like a boxer and her brother like a collie. Her instincts are all herding. She wieghs 53 pounds at 16 months. She looks like duke from the nike comercial or the tv dog training series "good dog U"

milt