Registered: Apr 2006
Location: Minerva, Ohio
Posts: 1103

I was just wondering who all swam their dogs to keep them in shape. I have just recently started swimming my female to get her ready for AO and the world show. Just wondering what your methods are and how long you normally do it for. Please dont be a smart A$$ and say just hunt them thats all the exercise they need. She does get her butt hunted off normally but I have decided to lay her up until the world is over. Thanks in advance for any info.

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Registered: Feb 2006
Location: Western Pa
Posts: 2106

Years ago our training season would close for the summer, June through August. Our club had a lake, box, cable and tree. We would meet on Tues and Thurs. to swim dogs. It kept them in shape, around coon, and work on the tree. Water was never an issue with the dogs I ran then. The old timers that ran the swim races died off and so did the interest. I WISH we still had the same thing going and our training season is not closed. (we still hunted when the season went out, but, we had to sneak...) Now, I take the pups to a county park that closes at night and walk the creeks to familiarize them to water.

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Registered: Mar 2006
Location: PA
Posts: 25

I remember watching swim races as a kid, I wish the local club didn't move now that I have a dog.

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Registered: Jul 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 78

My friend swims her dogs 3 times a week, It helps to fill out there chest and build muscel, I dont know how long she swims them but i would do it like 30 mins or so 3-4 times a week to stay in shape and build there bodies

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Registered: Jun 2005
Location: TEXAS
Posts: 1600

Swimming is great for building muscle. I got a couple that WILL NOT swim so I bought a horse walker and thats how I've been conditioning lately. Works great!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Registered: Oct 2003
Location: mid-michigan
Posts: 4437

If your not going to hunt the dog , you'll be fine.
A friend swam his dogs to get them in shape for bear hunting one year. They looked to be in great shape.
After the first run though , their ankles swelled up real bad and they were done for the week. Their ankles weren't used to carrying their weight while running.

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Registered: Apr 2006
Location: Minerva, Ohio
Posts: 1103

Oh the dog will be getting hunted as soon as the world is over. I prolly will hunt her at least once a week still. Im kind of iffy on the whole laying them up thing.

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Wesley DePalmo

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Registered: Apr 2006
Location: Minerva, Ohio
Posts: 1103

Kind of looking at how long you people normally do it. 10 mins 20 mins, etc. Also how you do it, yesterday we just drug her behind the boat hahaha, but got to be a better way.

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Wesley DePalmo

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Registered: May 2006
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 1344

Will she fetch? Sounds kinda silly, I know... We are not allowed to have dogs in the woods from April 1st to July 31st. Last year I lived about 2 miles from the lake so I used to swim them everyday.. I had one who will actually fetch. Throw the stick out and he will go get it.. Pretty soon all the other dogs were swimming too.. It gets loud But they all have a blast..

I personally would throw sticks for about an hour.. I have a picture of my female, taken last year, with just swimming for excersize and she looks like she has been on a regular hunting schedule..

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Registered: Apr 2006
Location: Minerva, Ohio
Posts: 1103

yes thank you!!

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Wesley DePalmo

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Registered: Sep 2003
Location: Ohio
Posts: 635

I live her in Ohio like you I know how the heat gets to the dog and not running them at night. I live about 5 min. from the Tusc. river in Cochocton my son and I take the dogs for a swim for about 5 mins in then a few out then back in we do this for about 1 hour and we make them swim up stream we wade in up to our waists 3 foot and walk them on a lead up river. Turns out I put one in the swim race and got 1st line and 1st tree same day I got Queen of Show same dog. On cool nights we turn them loose for a small dog she looks good and the other dogs are in great shape if you do it that way you get cooled off as well and spend time with family..... good luck at AO and hope this helps

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Registered: Nov 2007
Location: Northern Michigan
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Alot of guys in northern michigan swim there dogs in the spring. Our quiet season is from 4-15/ 7-15 so alot of the bear hunters swim there dogs to get them in shape for training season.

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