Close Menu
Eden Prairie Local News
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Wednesday, May 21
    • About
      • About EPLN
      • Team
      • EPLN in the News
      • Policies
    • Contact
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Threads LinkedIn
    Subscribe
    Eden Prairie Local News
    • Home
    • Schools
    • Business
    • Sports
    • Public Safety
    • City
    • Calendar
    • Subscribe
    • Donate
    • More
      • Construction
      • Outdoors
      • Politics
      • Health
      • Spirituality
      • Community Service
      • Legacy
      • Obituaries
      • Arts
      • Family
      • Holidays
      • Letter to Editor
      • Listen
      • Jobs
    Eden Prairie Local News
    Home»Outdoors»Water, conditioning are key to keeping your hunting dog healthy and happy
    Outdoors

    Water, conditioning are key to keeping your hunting dog healthy and happy

    Daniel HussBy Daniel HussOctober 3, 20212 Mins Read
    image of dog in water
    Access to water is key to keeping your dog hydrated and dogs know best. If given the opportunity, they’ll regulate their body temperature by cooling their undersides by plopping into a stream or lake.

    Humans can be both dogged tired and doggone hot, but so can our dogs.

    Now is the season.

    Walking Sport or Fido around the block might be a good summer pastime, but is it a good training regimen for a hunting dog, a dog that might be tasked to cover 20 miles of cover per day?

    Eden Prairie’s Jim Wood, a veterinarian who practices at Glen Lake Animal Hospital, knows of dogs who have been pushed too hard and too fast when it’s been too hot.

    Advertisement
    Ad for Washburn McReavy

    “They’re canine athletes, but you have to ease them into it, especially early season when it’s hot.

    “Heat is the enemy,” he added. “If they’re gassed, go home.”

    Dehydration can be a real problem. An early sign can be stress diarrhea. A dehydrated dog might also wobble when it’s standing and pant continuously.

    An extremely dehydrated dog would have dry gums that turn fire-engine red.

    “They’re trying to push blood to their skin,” said Wood.

    Water is a remedy. Frequent water breaks help, getting a dog’s belly wet helps even more.

    “The fastest way to cool a dog is to get it in the water,” said Wood. “Moving water or water that flows is best.

    “Stock ponds can cause problems, as do puddles,” he added.

    Solutions?

    Wood says good nutrition is paramount, as is keeping your dog in shape.

    “Don’t let your dog get heavy,” he said. “A lab that’s 20 pounds overweight is going to quit.”

    Like nutrition, conditioning is key. Runs off-leash are better than walks. Running over difficult terrain is better than running on paved trails.

    “Running on stuff toughens their pads,” said Wood. “That’s what the sled dog people do.”

    Wood has also been experimenting with a dog supplement called Revive.

    “You mix it with water,” he said. “It’s supposed to hydrate and help with recovery.”

    The packaging says it helps dogs exercise longer and recover faster.

    And?

    Under a taste-and-ingredients-dogs-love header, it says the product is more appealing than a plate of bacon.

    “Lexy loves it,” said Wood, of his own dog’s penchant for the bacon-flavored liquid.

    Lastly, Wood recommends moderation.

    “Ease into the hunting season,” he said. “Go slow, especially early on. If you build every time you go out, you’ll be ready in no time.

    Translation: Be the turtle, not the hare.

    Comments
    We offer several ways for our readers to provide feedback. Your comments are welcome on our social media posts (Facebook, X, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn). We also encourage Letters to the Editor; submission guidelines can be found on our Contact Us page. If you believe this story has an error or you would like to get in touch with the author, please connect with us.

    Be Informed
    Sign up for the FREE email newsletter from EPLN
    Subscribe
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleInvasive jumping worm spotted and likely spreading in Eden Prairie
    Next Article Was that a train or a fashion statement?

    More to READ

    4 Mins Read

    May bike party undeterred by wind and cold

    May 20, 2025
    5 Mins Read

    Learning beyond walls: Forest Hills students thrive in outdoor spaces

    May 13, 2025
    3 Mins Read

    Chasing warblers across Arizona’s ridgelines

    May 13, 2025
    Subscribe to get EPLN in your inbox for FREE!
    Recent Articles

    Eden Prairie High School program gives seniors a head start on careers

    May 21, 2025

    Shakopee man charged in Eden Prairie sexual assault of 15-year-old girl

    May 21, 2025

    EPHS synchronized swim team advances to state meet

    May 20, 2025

    Minnesota legislative session ends, still with a long to-do list

    May 20, 2025

    Former Eden Prairie man sentenced for posting nude images of woman online without her consent

    May 20, 2025
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    INN Network Member Guidestar Seal
    Eden Prairie Local News is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN 85-4248265 | Copyright © 2020-2025
    • About
    • Policies
    • Jobs
    • Contact
    • Advertising
    • Subscribe
    • Donate

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.