Gundog Training Forum

Out of curiosity how often would you work a dog or more specifically can you do too much. Do they need a day or days off. I understand that it could depend on many things but just trying to get a general idea..

When you say "work your dog", are you referring to training? As that would depend very much on where the dog is in its development.

Ok I will be more specific.
27mth cocker dogging in / beating.
Is it ok to work her as above on a daily basis for hour and a half, occasionally (maybe once a week) a morning session as well.
Or is it wise to have a day off. ?

Apologies if this is a stupid question but I really have no idea of the general working regime of a gundog.

There is no "general working regime of a gundog" what you are describing is certainly not excessive.

Depends on the fitness and health ( any injuries ) of the dog. A keen gundog who knows what the game is about will want to go day in day out, and will work till it drops. If you can recognise when a dog is going beyond its fitness you can `force the rest' , be it on the day or for the next. The weather and conditions can also play a part and will effect how hard the work is completed with the effort put in.
Generally I look at the `dog in front of me' and weigh up what I think is beneficial for the dog, both in the long and short term. I think most people would agree that a tired dog is probably going to be at higher risk of injury, so avoiding over working the dog on the day should be your main concern. ( The sad eyes, the vocal complaints when they are left, and the glare when you return, are temporary and a price you have to pay )

thanks SP and MM.
i dont see any ill effects and if I wasnt working her she would be hassling me to play ball for hours on end
it was the mrs who seems to think her little darling will be overworked

Thanks

To be specific, a young fit dog like that is perfectly capable of what you're talking about. Just keep her in hard and lean condition and watch out for unseasonably hot days and make sure she's hydrated. Dogs peak physically around 6 years of age but will have no trouble continuing on a regime like that for a good few years afterwards, perhaps a bit more economical in their pace. I shoot over my current dog most afternoons as the season progresses, hunting none stop, and she just gets fitter and fitter with bottomless energy. If you're dogging in then there is a lot of stop/starting and walking at heel involved so the dog gets a natural breather. If she's looking jaded then give her a day off but other than that feed to condition and make sure she's not standing around for any length of time in cold and wet conditions. She'll sleep like a log and eat like a horse but these dogs were designed to work and not many owners can provide them with the level of work they are capable of, especially when they've a kennel full of dogs eating away at their time.

Naj

Thanks naj, yep she has a good appetite lately BUT she is looking a little leaner (I think) she has always been fit and has very good muscle tone. In human terms she would be referred to as "ripped".

As you say we do slow down sometimes and have a minute and I always carry water with me.

By the sounds of that workload she will cope just fine.

Our spaniels tend to work on the grouse 2 days and then a day off. Labs do 3 and one off but plenty of people's do more without a rest we just have the luxury that we have enough dogs to rotate.

By the sounds of it she is just getting fit and lean, keep her fed well and you will have a healthy decent dog.

Thanks Dan.
Ps
I bet those grouse moors are hard work for man or dog. ?