DuckSouth.com

Five years ago I had my black male out dove hunting and he became overheated on the first retrieve. I got him into my truck and put his mouth into the air cnditioning vent. Then got him into a tub with ice and water. He came back around after about 15 mnutes. VERY scary episode as his mouth turned black and he began wheezing very loud. Mine was in shape as he had been worked several times a week leading up to the opener but not during the hot fternoons. When hunting a dog in hot weather you must take precautions and bring ice and water in the event that the day becomes adisaster. Never think that just getting them wet helps. Pond water is near air temp. and sticks in their hair allowing absolutely no cooling. Keep in mind that your dog cools itself through its mouth and that becomes dfficult when the outside air is both hot and very humid.

I probably won't get out there when it's THIS hot. Damn if I'm gonna ask a dog to.

We'll be out there. I will be set up next to a ditch. If it is to hot I'll cut a well on and let the cool water just run down the ditch. I'll try to make the afternoon last. Try to take plenty of time in between birds.

It's going to be fun!!! I think I'll just carry 16 shells to the field. That should make me slow down and take only good shots.

Hey Guy's. We're gonna be working a few dogs this weekend. My good buddy Charlie Moody, owner of Moody's Performance Retrievers in Louisville, is coming down to hunt with me this weekend. He and I were talking about the heat and working dogs just yesterday. I've never had retrivers but I used to be into Rottweilers and this worked pretty good for me: If you can find one in the off season, (check with any neighbors or relatives that have small children) and have enough cover where you hunt, use a plastic kids swimming pool. If it's loud in color, get some O. D. green Krylon. Just a thougt. Good luck to all this weekend.

When I've taken my dog on these "dog days" of summer, I first went and bought me a sprayer and filled it up with ice and water and sprayed it on him very generously.

I sprayed it on underneath on his belly, dogpits, back, face everywhere I could, he loved it and didn't get overheated. Will probably do that again this weekend, plus he loved drinking it!

Worked good for him and me, good luck!

Hey guys... just saw the weather and it looks like its going to be around 87 degrees with a few showers on opening day... low that morning around 65... maybe the drier heat will keep the dogs cooler. Thanks for all the war stories and maybe it will keep me from losing my comrade.