Cold Dog

[skyetrekker]

Hi all, Im pretty new here but I do have a question that Id like to pose to this group. Ive just started jumping my dog Seamus and as the weather changes and gets colder, what do folks do when their dogs start shivering after a jump? Is that time to quit? Do you towel them off to jump again?
My BC has very little insulation or body fat so Im wondering...

Nice to be here!
Aly & Seamus

[Docker Mom]

Hi there
I'm only a rookie this year but I learned a few great tips from several of my Splash Dogs family since my lab, Phoebe, has gotten 'swimmers/limber/dead' tail a few times. Definitely, towel your baby off inbetween jumps-you can get a shammy/chamois which takes alot of the water off and then towel dry the rest. Great dock jumpers like Randy & Mary w/Kaua & Melissa w/Bubbles also gave me advice to buy a coat for them inbetween jumps. Melissa's favorite, and now mine, is from the HorseTackCo.com & get the Weatherbeeta brand. They are from horse blanket fabric and even though I haven't yet used mine, I can see the quality is fabulous.
Also, walk them around a bit before and after each set of jumps so their little muscles are warmed up. Some stretching before & after is a good idea, too.

Hope this helps. Some of the really great jumpers will have alot more great advice but this will get you started until then.

Take care, good luck, & hope to meet you in an upcoming
event! :lol: :lol:


Marilyn (Phoebe & Dunkin)

[skyetrekker]

I want to thank you for the welcoming response... thanks for the keen advice. Ill check out that website and get my boy a blanket and chamois right away!! I saw Mary and Randy's dog wearing something like that - I should have asked them at the Pirate Party but didnt have a chance. Heck they have great advice dont they?

Aly & Seamus

[Sassy Girl]

In the winter, we keep water work to a minimum. When we do go out - I feel the water myself. If my dog will swim in it then we do a few jumps, keep it short and immediately towel and get him put away. We don't work in bad weather, weather I wouldn't go out in myself.

There are many other ways to keep your dog in shape and ready for dock jumping in winter without jumping them in the water. I know Mary and Randy will have some great suggestions.