I am posting a new post to answer to a few people on the post that I originally posted on stamina and a few different e-mails I received on training because I really would like to separate the 2 subjects stamina and common sense. Common sense has it’s place in all the different phases of training.
To answer to Diana Matusik’s post on stamina. She asked me what I thought about having a rockpile in her backyard. A rockpile in your backyard doesn’t sound like a great idea. Really it does not make a lot of sense. If I am outside with my dogs I try to keep them away from something like that. At least if the dog is not in training for search and rescue. This for the simple reason of trying to avoid unnessaccery injury.
To answer about the bungee pole, not a good idea. Especially if you are looking for a full bite from your dog. It is much more easier and it makes more sense to just give your dog a raw beef bone to chew on. He has more fun,he keeps busy, and he builds the muscles in his jaw that makes him have a crushing bite.
To answer to Mikelia Bradford’s post on stamina. She said swimming is great for endurance,absolutely. But when she said the best time to take your dog for swimming is on a windy day with a lot of waves and send your dog for retrieval for a stick or ball ,that does not make sense.Already when you send your dog to retrieve a ball or stick (and I am presuming Mikelia is taking her dog to salty water) he automatically loses controlof his water intake,with waves he will ingest a lot of salty water creating a upset stomach to your dog for a couple of days. So if you use swimming in your training program 2-3 times a week your dog will develop an upset stomach all week. This will inadvertanly cause him to lose body mass and muscle. So at this point developing muscle through swimming is lost. We have to understand when we send the dog to retrieve an object in the water, he is swimming at the same speed when he goes to fetch the object and when he retrieves to you. He must swim at the same speed all of the time or he will sink. Just a little tip to everybody the best object for retrieval in the water is a piece of garden hose(plugged at both ends with a piece of cork to prevent it to sink).In this way he can bite hard on the hose and almost completely seal his mouth with almost minimum to no water intake.
So my point is this one everytime you are training , Think.
And think not in general but think specific if what you want to do makes common sense for your dog.

Sincerely, Francesco Carotenuto

http://www.K9Nation1.com

Thanks for the answers! The rock pile idea was only for if I am out there with the dog and in a controlled manner, also large enough rocks (maybe "boulder" is a more correct term) so the dog can actually lay down on them and jump rock to rock with my direction, not a free-for-all. Bungee pole also stricken off list of possibilities.

Buying a pile of boulders & having them safely arranged in your yard will cost as much as building an addition onto your home -- Of course, if you happen to be very wealthy, this won't be a problem <:-)

I never thought of that. The best waves we ran into was definately on the ocean when we were visiting, but I live nowhere near the ocean. I'll take her to the lake here and I know from experience I use more energy swimming over a wave. I can't keep my dog from swallowing water though, if she is not swimming after something, she has her front end under the water digging in the mud. And shes never gotten the runs or lost weight and muscle mass from swimming. But you make a good point.

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I never thought of that. The best waves we ran into was definately on the ocean when we were visiting, but I live nowhere near the ocean. I'll take her to the lake here and I know from experience I use more energy swimming over a wave. I can't keep my dog from swallowing water though, if she is not swimming after something, she has her front end under the water digging in the mud. And shes never gotten the runs or lost weight and muscle mass from swimming. But you make a good point.

It's the salt water.

One of my dogs meets his buddies at a dog beach near us. Half of them throw up after they chase waves.

The lake -- no problem. <img src="http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> At least, that's my experience.

Thank you for all the information. I also swim my dog to build up endurance, but I understand what you are saying. What do you suggest for building endurance in a climate that for at least 9 months out of the year is over 95 degrees? It doesn't cool down very much in the evenings either. I track my GSD at dawn typically 3 times a week, but he is only an 11 month old pup, so I don't think this is doing much for endurance (100 - 300 ft tracks). I am very concerned abut the issue of stamina & I think it is key for a good sch competion dog, & many times overlooked. I very much appreciate anyones advise.

Dear Susan Tuck,
Swimming is the best exercise for your dog especially in the kind of temperature where you live. What I was saying in my previous post is in answer to Mikelia Bradford. You don't need to take your dog for swimming in the ocean with waves and wind to obtain stamina from your dog ,what I was saying was to try to minimize the intake of salty water. Mikelia was saying she was throwing a ball or stick , do you imagine the quantity of involuntary water intake you would put your dog through? So what I am saying to you take your dog for swimming however many times you want the only thing don't use a stick or ball use a light toy. What I use is a piece of garden hose so the dog can bite hard and almost completely seal his mouth, and at the same time it is light so it is easy for him to keep his head out of the water.When you take him for a swim try to take him under nice conditions especially with no waves.Treadmill is good with different inclines, and you can use it inside your house with air condition. Regards,Francesco Carotenuto

http://www.K9Nation1.com

That is a great idea about the hose, Francesco. We are almost out of our swimming weather here, but that is an idea I'll tuck away for next year.

Dear Becky Shilling,
The hose is a good idea, I figured out that in the meantime I was training my dog many years ago. I always from my first dog take him to go swimming, and always I used to have the problem with an upset stomach for my dog. So I asked to myself how I can stop it and what was causing the problem and that's why I came up with the solution of the garden hose.So this one is my point for my original post ,when you train,think and try to make common sense.
Regards,Francesco Carotenuto

http://www.K9Nation1.com