March 29, 2024, 10:03:52 am *
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.

Login with username, password and session length
News: HELP SUPPORT HUNTERS HARVEST....
 
   Home   Help Search Calendar Login Register  
Pages: [1]   Go Down
  Print  
Author Topic: Roading dogs....for conditioning  (Read 1034 times)
mod93dirt
Alpha Dog
*****
Offline Offline

Posts: 601



View Profile
« on: August 01, 2013, 11:38:04 pm »

Been looking at a lot of YouTube videos here lately of guys runnin their dogs off of ATVs or bicycles in a roading harness to condition their dogs. The videos are primarily from bird hunters.  From what ive seem and read is to hook the dogs in a harness and have them pull against the weight of an atv or bike. Just wondering if anyone here does anything similar?? When I'm not hunting much, like here in the hot momths, I take my dogs at least once a week to my inlaws 50 acres just to run around and stretch their legs. But looking at the vids and reading several articles about roading dogs, it seems like a much more beneficial exercise than just letting the dogs free run.

Anyone here done this or have any opinions?? I'd like to have my dogs in top notch shape come prime hunting time, so,I'm just looking for ideas to make that happen.
Logged

Show me a good loser and I will show you A loser!!
dan
Strike Dog
****
Offline Offline

Posts: 261



View Profile
« Reply #1 on: August 02, 2013, 01:08:31 am »

I realize different breeds will be more capable than others, but I don't see a down side. 

When you see what a field trial bird dog can do, roading definitely has mental and physical value for the dogs.  I've considered doing the same thing for a while now.  Take your time, study the pros examples, and build it right.  Don't build some junk that will get a dog run over. 

I'm interested in what you decide.  Post some pictures or message me if you build something.  I will be trying something similar very soon.
Logged

Dan

"We are all on our way out...ACT ACCORDINGLY"
KevinN
Hog Doom
*********
Offline Offline

Posts: 3318


8173003241


View Profile
« Reply #2 on: August 02, 2013, 06:41:42 am »

Yessir....one of the guys that helped me out when I first got started use to take his AB out and run him using his 4 wheeler. If I remember right he used some type of pole mounted to the 4 wheeler with a short lead on the end. I Believe he only did it with his AB but I don't see why it wouldn't be beneficial to any dog.
Logged

"Let's talk some philosophy"
bob
Boar Slayer
*******
Offline Offline

Posts: 1298



View Profile
« Reply #3 on: August 02, 2013, 06:44:43 am »

Brandon , I tried running my bay dogs behind the Atv  a few years ago , they were in gear shape but the down side was when I started hunting they wanted to stay close to the Atv , almost follow and run beside just like you did all summer so after I seen these results I quit this with the bay dogs and bought the horse walker , I'll run all 5 of my bulldogs with the Atv because with them I lead in and it doesn't matter , we will do mile to half mile sprints and go to water and cool off and then make a mile circle and cool off again , 5 to 6 miles of this a couple of times a week , while this is going on my bay dogs are on the walker , I put a bucket of water out there and leave slack in there leads , they figured out if they walk fast they have time to get a small drink before the walker jerks them on , I'll leave them walking for 3 to 6 hours depending on the heat , they stay in pretty good shape like this
Logged
jimco
Boar Slayer
*******
Offline Offline

Posts: 1180



View Profile
« Reply #4 on: August 02, 2013, 11:52:44 am »

Been looking at a lot of YouTube videos here lately of guys runnin their dogs off of ATVs or bicycles in a roading harness to condition their dogs. The videos are primarily from bird hunters.  From what ive seem and read is to hook the dogs in a harness and have them pull against the weight of an atv or bike. Just wondering if anyone here does anything similar?? When I'm not hunting much, like here in the hot momths, I take my dogs at least once a week to my inlaws 50 acres just to run around and stretch their legs. But looking at the vids and reading several articles about roading dogs, it seems like a much more beneficial exercise than just letting the dogs free run.

Anyone here done this or have any opinions?? I'd like to have my dogs in top notch shape come prime hunting time, so,I'm just looking for ideas to make that happen.

I would just keep turning them loose on your inlaws 50 acres to run around. Like bob said, your gonna have bay dogs that won't leave your feet. Walk in bull dogs won't matter but  cur dogs , Ive been there done that and had them ripped with muscle but they always felt they were going to get left so they stayed close in the woods. I quit roading them and problem solved. This is just my opinion and experience. Curious what other's views are.
Logged

"Pedigree indicates what the animal should be. Conformation indicates what the animal appears to be. But PERFORMANCE indicates what the animal actually is."
Reuben
Internet Hog Hunting Specialist
**********
Offline Offline

Posts: 9461


View Profile
« Reply #5 on: August 02, 2013, 12:10:46 pm »

I know a bird dog man that built a pole that bolts on to the front of the 4 wheeler and it has 4 harnesses on this pole, 2 on each side of the pole and he runs his bird dogs on it...he turns the wheeler off and lets the dogs pull him around the pasture...

I used to run my curs at the beach once or twice a week at one time...they learned that when I gunned the engine 3 times that it was time for them to get ahead...they learned the same signal to get ahead with the 4 wheeler in the woods...

running the dogs taught me who was the fastest and what was the average speed as well as who had the stamina to maintain speed the longest...another data point for breeding potential...
Logged

Training dogs is not about quantity, it's more about timing, the right situations, and proper guidance...After that it's up to the dog...
A hunting dog is born not made...
Cajun
Lord of the Hogs
********
Offline Offline

Posts: 2920


View Profile
« Reply #6 on: August 02, 2013, 03:17:08 pm »

I don't hunt much June thru Aug. but towards the end of Aug. I start roading my dogs to get them in shape for our Canada bearhunt. I will start them at four miles & then add a mile & do this every other day. I build them up to 10 or 12 miles in a hour. They will start off running about 20 miles a hour & after about a mile, they will settle down to 8-10 mph. This is where I really get a handle on my young dogs. My old dogs know the routine but when I release the young dogs they want to go hunting. I keep a shock collar on them & if they get out of pocket, I first beep them & if they don't come back, I will bump them with it. It never takes more than a couple of roading sessions & they learn to stay with the pack. Also in the evening deer frequently cross in front of the dogs. If the young dogs take it, I can zap them & they will be back. By the time we get back from Canada, these dogs are rock hard & ready to rock & roll on hogs. I have not had the problem of dogs hanging around the 4 wheeler but these are just dumb plotts. They lean the difference between roading & hunting.
  Word of caution, dont go to fast to soon & make sure you have plenty of water for them.
Logged

Bayou Cajun Plotts
Happiness is a empty dogbox
Relentless pursuit
Pages: [1]   Go Up
  Print  
 
Jump to:  

Powered by EzPortal
Powered by MySQL Powered by PHP Powered by SMF 1.1.18 | SMF © 2013, Simple Machines Valid XHTML 1.0! Valid CSS!