Hunting Dogs: Many hunters, at the end of the hunting season, tend to let their dog rest probably a little too much, thus risking not only to make him excessively lazy but also to make him lose the stimuli and skills acquired during training and practice. made in the field in the open season.
We must remember that our dog is not a simple tool like our rifle, which we can clean and put aside at the end of the season and then resume it equally efficient at the next reopening. Keeping our hunting dogs in constant training is of fundamental importance, especially during the closing period of the hunting season. It is good to understand that our dog is comparable to an athlete and as such needs continuous stimulation and constant training to keep fit and to avoid wasting time spent training.
Unfortunately this is a fairly common mistake among hunters who often, at the end of the season, either due to inattention, lack of time or other causes, do not take their hunting dog out to keep it even minimally in motion. Instead, most of the time, it is preferred to let it out only a few days before the reopening of the hunt just to refresh the training or even to train it in a very short time; the result, however, is often unsatisfactory as by doing so we could find ourselves a tired dog, which gets tired easily and just as easily gets distracted by losing interest in hunting. It is useless then to get angry with the dog if after a short time of activity on the field it tends to stop to rest.
Let's see instead how a hunter who wants to keep his dog in perfect shape and efficiency on the hunting field should behave.
First of all it would be good to identify the ZAC, the closest or easily accessible Dog Training Areas, or the quagliodromes, if there were any nearby; in these specially dedicated spaces the dog will have the opportunity to train in hunting without any problem. Our four-legged friend will be able to run at will, thus satisfying his desire for freedom and at the same time keeping himself trained and in perfect shape, ready for the opening of the hunt. In this way, not only the body will be kept fit but also the dog's psychic well-being will benefit; moreover, during the training days we will have the opportunity to examine our hunting companion well, noting any pathologies or defects that could limit his abilities and, if possible, try to correct them before the opening of the season. When we decide to take our dog out for a training day in the summer or late spring it would be better to avoid prolonged exposure to the scorching sun so as not to run the risk of heat stroke. The best times for the dog, but also for the owner, are obviously those of the early morning or late afternoon. In the case of long periods of rest for the dog, it would be better not to overdo it and resume physical activity gradually without making our friend strain too much.
Finally, let's not forget that even the best training can be nullified if the dog's diet is not adequate and turn out to be harmful to his health over time. To avoid this, it would be advisable to follow a few simple dietary rules, first of all water: especially in spring and summer the dog must never lack fresh water, especially if we subject the dog to periods of physical activity. Obviously, the food we give to our friend is of great importance: the type of diet must be lighter and fresher in hot weather. Feeding the dog, as for humans, is essential for maintaining good physical shape; paying attention to the correct proportions of food of foods, can not only help the quality of life of the animal, but can at the same time increase the average life of the same.
The dog needs proteins, sugars, fats, vitamins and minerals. In a daily meal it is sufficient to administer a dose of food that contains at least 20% protein. Sugars are also important, but not all of them are easily assimilated by the animal which generally tolerates glucose and sucrose but has difficulty in metabolizing lactose. The supply of sugars is important both as a source of energy and as a regulator of the activity of the bacterial flora. As for fats, they are allowed in our dog's diet but in the right measure; in fact, these must not exceed 10% in the daily meal: excesses lead to weight gain and also to a greater predisposition to disease and premature old age. Finally, the vitamins and minerals that are present in different quantities in all foods are fundamental.
So better not hesitate, take advantage of the free moments, take your dog and take him out keeping him in training to make him arrive at the opening of the season in perfect shape and with the right spirit!