[Wayne Dibbley]

What temperature range are you training in?

Our training group was talkigna bout water temperature, and I wondered what everyone else is using as a baseline for trainable water temperatures?

All the best

Wayne

 

[Trevor Toberny]

I have heard anything above 60 or so

 

[huntingrdr]

Our water temps are around 65.

 

[IowaBayDog]

If it isn't solid it is training time. If we waited for 60 up here we wouldn't be doing water until late June. A little further north and you would never be able to train in the water. Hopefully you do all your duck hunting in the tropics!

 

[Trevor Toberny]

training and hunting are 2 different things.We dont train water in the winter but I still hunt my dogsin winter when water temp is lower.

 

[NateB]

Difference between mark training and technical training. I will do general marks in colder water but will not do training on cheating singles, swim by etc in cold water, too much pressure in the cold.
I noted this Wednesady that after 2- 70-80 yard water marks. My dogs were shivering significantly. We ahd a bad cold blast here in Ohio for the past couple of weeks. Easter was 6 degress colder than Christmas and thewater had gotten cold again. This weekend it is supposed to be 70, and sunny we need both .

 

[IowaBayDog]

But isn't training supposed to be simulating hunting? You don't acclimate your dogs to cold water but then expect them to hunt in it? If I am going to expect a dog to hunt in a condition, I darn sure want to train in it.

 

[Losthwy]

But isn't training supposed to be simulating hunting? You don't acclimate your dogs to cold water but then expect them to hunt in it? If I am going to expect a dog to hunt in a condition, I darn sure want to train in it.

If you train in cold water, the younger the dog the greater the risks, especially doing drills or blinds. You are running the risk of creating an aversion to water in training such as no-goes, refusing to enter the water, and reduction of enthusiasm. Training and hunting are different. I hunt when the river is running slush, but would NEVER think of training under those conditions. The colder the water, the younger the dog, the greater likely-hood of a problem being created.
There are many factors to consider other than water temperature. Is it sunny or overcast, calm or windy, how long the dog is in the water, swim or splash water, age of dog, dog's coat, what kind of work marks or swim-by?

 

[Buzz]

But isn't training supposed to be simulating hunting? You don't acclimate your dogs to cold water but then expect them to hunt in it? If I am going to expect a dog to hunt in a condition, I darn sure want to train in it.

My pro has a truck load of dogs that stay out of the water unless it's at least 50 degrees. My dog that stayed north all winter is doing some stuff in running water, but that's it.

 

[shootem]

A very well know pro was training in South Dakota early spring and had not put his dogs in the water for the first week he was here. His exact words were a dog with a good water attitude will always beat a dog with a poor water attitude. He then said you can always tell the dogs that have been training here since ice out. That day he had 7 ether AFC, FC or both titled dogs on his truck.

 

[DEDEYE]

If it isn't solid it is training time. If we waited for 60 up here we wouldn't be doing water until late June. A little further north and you would never be able to train in the water. Hopefully you do all your duck hunting in the tropics!

Us too. We have been putting on the dog vest, and running some short drills in some splash ponds. They shrink everyday and will be gone soon. By then hopefully the real ponds will be good, and then in June we can go to the lakes... We also make sure to have some happy bumpers after each short splashfest and a pile. They love it!

 

[Trevor Toberny]

I do agree with both sides of ths thought though but currently like I stated we dont train in cold water but I did have a dog a few years ago that was just for hunting and he was young and had never been in cold water until his first hunting trip and it was 14 degrees and snowing and ice around edges and when we shot our first duck he went out there very hesitantly and got the duck but next downed duck he wouldnt get in the water.He just curled up and shivvered,I thought he might have really been a golden or Chessie,just kidding.

 

[larrynogaj]

H2O

I have a 5 yr old golden. Our water is up to maybe 45 degrees. The air temp hasn't been much above that as of late. I think nothing of running a set up with a few marks and a blind, and then maybe a few more. after that, we're probably off and running on the dry ground. If we were hunting, she'd have a vest on because she's not running around after being in the water. If I were beginning swim by, I'd let it warm up to around 60. I'm also watching the dog. If there is shivering, their body is telling you something. I figure too, if they go in on their own for just a casual swim, the water is to their liking. There's also a difference between spending 10 minutes or an hour in the stuff.

 

[Misty Marsh]

56 degrees for adult dog's who have been in cooloer water before and around 60+ for puppies. I also try and avoid long swims untill it's slightly warmer than 56 degrees by doing long entry, alittle water and out again type of stuff.

 

[IowaBayDog]

I would agree that introducing a young dog to cold water is not recommended, but that wasn't the question asked.

Having CBRs maybe I am just not used to dogs who don't want to get in the water, I have more trouble getting them out of the water no matter the temp. I guess I will have to get a lab next so I can learn how to train a non-water dog to get in the water, and I am also kidding.

 

[Trevor Toberny]

lol

 

[Misty Marsh]

Well excuse me for offering alittle something extra :roll:

 

[IowaBayDog]

Well excuse me for offering alittle something extra :roll:

Look at the times on the posts, we were typing at the same time so I never even saw your post prior to my reply. I was replying to the posts further above about younger dogs and cold water. So no excusing necessary.

 

[Howard N]

56 degrees for adult dog's who have been in cooloer water before and around 60+ for puppies. I also try and avoid long swims untill it's slightly warmer than 56 degrees by doing long entry, alittle water and out again type of stuff.

We have years up here when the water temp never gets to 56. Our dogs learn how to swim. However, they'll never be as watery as dogs who can get 8 or 9 months of liquid water work a year.

 

[Angie B]

If it isn't solid it is training time. If we waited for 60 up here we wouldn't be doing water until late June. A little further north and you would never be able to train in the water. Hopefully you do all your duck hunting in the tropics!

I guess it all depends what your standard is for your dogs and what your training for. I can't imagine doing a 7 leg tune-up drill with temps below 58 degrees.

Do your dogs do this type of work? If your dogs are meat dogs that do "hunt'm up" blinds and 30 yd retrieves then chances are your just fine at water temps just above freezing.....

Apples and oranges can't be compared..... :wink:

Angie