Heat Conditioning

ShikokuSpiritShikokuSpirit
edited November 2008 in General
Well, Lynx's trial for her BH is coming up this Saturday. I really wasn't too worried about it. She has excellent, eye-pleasing obedience...we do most of our training at night though.

This past Saturday we trained during the day, it was hot and a bit more so cause of the fires. Also EXTREMELY windy. Her performance was very flat. I was very disappointed! I admitt that I did not do very many rewards this time...might have partially something to do with it. However, I know my dog and this dog LOVES to work...but she was "turned off" that day. Hopefully it was just an off day for her.

I did discover today though that NOTHING is wrong with her obedience. We did some training and playing with the ball while it's hot out and the sun is beating down on her. The problem is she gets lazy and tired because of the heat. I haven't done much heat conditioning with her hardly at all.

Since the trial is coming up in a few days, I don't want to put any extra pressure on her, only just a little bit. For the most part, I just want her to relax. Meanwhile though...since it is a day trial...I figured if I do short training sessions and crazy ball playing during the day when it is hot. Perhaps this will help for Saturday (hopefully the weather will be in our favor).

I'm certain that this time she'll pass but I'm not certain about her performance. I know what she is capable of, I want her to give it her all 100%. I might be lucky if I even get 80%.

Any sugguestions for heat tolerance and performance?

Comments

  • ShikokuSpiritShikokuSpirit
    edited November -1
    As for rewards...I've notice even her ball drive declines when it is hot out. And this is a dog that is INSANELY CRAZY for balls, but she does lose certain interest during the heat -sighs-.
  • CrimsonO2CrimsonO2
    edited November -1
    Chew ice cubes?
  • RomiRomi
    edited November 2008
    Well - The heat is supposed to cool down by this wednesday. It shows that Saturday should be a sunny 76. Are you allowed to put water on Lynx before the trial? I know when Portia is hot - if I put water on her back, chest and face - she seems to really cool down fast. I think being wet also kind of gives her a little burst of energy.

    Am I still invited to cheer you guys on :)?
  • okironokiron
    edited November -1
    Good luck Lynx! I'm sure she'll do fine when the time comes. Dogs at dog shows and other competitions seem to know that this is when it counts.
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    What is a BH? :P
  • HeidiHeidi
    edited November -1
    Maybe she could wear one of those cooling jackets?
  • kwyldkwyld
    edited November 2008
    Can you bring a kiddy pool and have her use it after you work her a little bit? Can you even use it before the test? We use these during flyball tournies on really hot days and if we didn't, I'm sure a lot of the dogs would get heat stroke. I personally wouldn't work my dog very much in the heat to build up a tolerance, but then again I'm not sure if they could even do that in the first place.
    The BH (Begleithunde) or companion dog title is a pre-requirement for Schutzhund titles. All breeds and sizes are eligible with the minimum age requirement of 15 months.
  • SabrinaSabrina
    edited November -1
    I use the cool collars. You put either ice or a cooling pac in them and they are around the neck where the most blood flows. It cools the blood that travels through there neck and cools down the rest off their body. I like them allot.

    Or you could send some of your heat up north, its like 45F up here in Oregon :-(
  • KFontaine04KFontaine04
    edited November -1
    Thanks Kelly! I had to look it up and read more about it. Sounds very interesting and a challenge!

    Good Luck Corina! (and Lynx!)
  • okironokiron
    edited November -1
    Sabrina send some cold down here! I'd love for it to be about 20F right now.
  • StaticNfuzzStaticNfuzz
    edited November -1
    Maybe some cool packs and a cool mat would help before you compete. I know Shibas can get real slow in the heat and even come to a grinding halt if they are too hot. I don't know of a way to acclimate a spitzy to heat. Just go with it and be happy even if your pup doesn't give you the full extent of energy it would normally have.

    Snf
  • dlrobertsdlroberts
    edited November -1
    I agree with Snf, don't think of it as an 80% performance...think of it as a 100% performance in 80% conditions. :-)
  • ShikokuSpiritShikokuSpirit
    edited November 2008
    I like how you put it Dave, thanks. I'm definitely a lot more confident in her that she'll stay with me this time and not run off. I guess if the worse I have to worry about is "flat obedience" then we've actually made some improvement. The BH is pass or fail anyways. We'll be sure to kick major butt with the I,II & III -smiles- where the points really count.

    The best I can do is work her through the heat, keep her cool & motivated. Yes...I can soak my dog before trial if I like. I'll have to make do+with+the+before+and+after+trial.+Praise+during+trial+when+I'm+allowed.

    Thank+everyone!

    Romi+-+Yes,+you+and+John+are+still+invited+to+come+&+watch!+Call+or+text+me...and+I'll+give+you+directions.+The+BH's+should+start+around+10am+on+Saturday.
  • SangmortSangmort
    edited November -1
    Good Luck Corina & Lynx! Bring us good news :D!~
  • kwyldkwyld
    edited November 2008
    Good luck Corina and Lynx!
  • baantonbaanton
    edited November -1
    Good luck, Corina and Lynx!

    As to the heat, with having had two (mostly) black doggies in a row, I agree that you should not push your dog in the heat (yes, we do get high heat in the summer, but could send you temps in the "teens" from this morning!). Anyway (as you know) make sure there is lots of water keep her hydrated, and agree with others that any way to "wet her down" that's allowed will do wonders for her. I'm sure that all the other doggies will be similarly affected (if its a competition against one another), and the key thing is that she suffers no ill effects from the heat and (I'm sure) horrendous air quality you have right now from the fires...

    Dogs have an amazing way to adapt their behavior to the conditions (hot, cold, rain, snow, windy, etc.) ... I would not want to push her beyond what she instinctively knows is her tolerable level of activity.
  • lindsaytlindsayt
    edited November -1
    Yeah, we bombed at Open last night. I was nervous and Beebe was distracted. I should have really amped up the rewards to get her attention. Next time, forget the regular old treats, I'm using cheese or spam or something else stinky and irresistable.

    In competitive obediance, you may only use the dogs' collar during the exercise. You can praise, treat, cool down before and after.

    The other dogs are probably not at their peak either in that sort of heat, but that's something you can condition for as it sounds like she has crazy drive. As long as her focus is on you, she can do it. Fingers crossed towards your BH.
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