Pup in the field

hennapeace · Post by **hennapeace** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 6:54 pm

I have a 4 y/o chocolate lab, and her 13 week old cousin. I've been bringing the pup out to the local gun club when we go shooting every week since we brought her home. She does great even when I work with her sit, come, stay commands about 25 yards from the skeet range (tail is tall, and she's very responsive). We would like to go pheasant hunting and bring her with, but not have to leave her in a kennel in the car. I was thinking about just letting her explore, but taking turns with my husband staying way back with her while one of us would hunt. Anyone offer some advice (good or bad) for bringing this pup to the field. I feel like we're totally missing out on birds this fall with the new pup at home!

gsphunter · Post by **gsphunter** » Fri Nov 10, 2006 4:34 pm

If the dog is not showing any signs of gun shyness I would say bring it. As long as you stay well back from the action. After the bird is shot I would let the dog effect a retrieve with you helping point the way.

hennapeace · Post by **hennapeace** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:22 pm

The pup did great!!! She chugged along through grass, muck, and even water for a good hour and a half before she started to slow down. Husband even made a shot about 15 yards ahead of us and she didn't so much as flinch. She did try to follow my older lab out for the retrieve, though. Good thing she couldn't keep up with her, we might have had a tug o' war of bird.

Post by **ezzy333** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:08 pm

Sounds like she did well. A word of caution though. A little pup should not be walked till it is real tired or be walked in heavy conditions. Those young muscles and soft joints do not need the stress, especially the hips. 15 or 20 mins in light cover should be enough.

Ezzy

hennapeace · Post by **hennapeace** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:03 pm

Wow.. only 15-20 minutes for 4 months old? She goes on 30 minute moderately paced walks every day at home. Used to be much shorter walks (like 15 minutes of pretty slow walking), but she seems to really like the longer walks now that she's a bit older.

GsPJustin · Post by **GsPJustin** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 1:09 am

Shoot, I had my pup running/walking along from 12 weeks old, not very long, but longer than 15-20 min.

Are you talking about concrete or in the field? I did both, with no problems. I can't see walking doing much damage.

Post by **pear** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:22 am

Justin, I'm sure your pup is just fine, but at 17.5 months I doubt the long term effects of over exercise would be evident...

GsPJustin · Post by **GsPJustin** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 3:38 pm

Im sure not much would show up now. But I cant see how walking on concrete or dirt for longer than 20 min can hurt them.

Post by **ezzy333** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 5:58 pm

Justin,
Let me put it another way and maybe it will get clearer. What do you think the pup gains physically and mentally by taking them for a longer or harder walk?

We know thay are on soft undeveloped bone structure that can be damaged rather easily. They are also in a very fast growing stage and it is hard for all parts to keep up which is the cause of some joint problems at least till they mature.

It makes a whole lot of sense to me to guard against doing any damage for a few months and so we might enjoy the dog longer. A short walk every day is fine but I think it is only common sense that we don't overdue anything while they are puppies. Mentally it is also an advantage to quit before they want to, which will keep them wanting more.

I don't think there is a person on here that will tell you that they have hurt a puppy from too much exercise, since it normally isn't going to show up that quickly. ANd we have all worked our puppies differently and probably can't pinpoint that one way is better than another. But it is apparant that too much work at a young age can do both mental and physical damage. I'm sure as you gain experience you will agree.

Ezzy

GsPJustin · Post by **GsPJustin** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 6:09 pm

I know they have a soft bone structure, but a easy walk around the neighbor hood for 30 min cant hurt them that bad at 4 months old, can it?

Post by **ezzy333** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 7:07 pm

I don't "think" so.

Ezzy

NE Vizsla · Post by **NE Vizsla** » Sun Nov 19, 2006 4:40 pm

Dock jumping would be worse on developing hips then runs through the field. Im not saying the pup is dock jumping but i noticed your interested in the sport. Im sure you know all about young dogs and developing bones since you do have a older lab already.

Nice website by the way, very cool pics !

Emptypair · Post by **Emptypair** » Mon Nov 27, 2006 11:14 pm

I know we've always run young dogs behind old ones...so long as they wanted to go and were sound conditioned. I never gave any thought to what it might be doing to them physically. I know a tired pup is a good pup, so long as you don't take it too far. I have noticed that they muscle out from all that exercise

Post by **Greg Jennings** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 6:44 am

Be conservative and patient. Always leave the pup wanting more. Invest that in your pup for the first 1-1.5 years and it will pay healthy dividends for the rest of the dog's life.

Best,