Roading Question.

[jcbuttry8]

So, I have gotten some pretty good advice lately about tactics on roading, thanks again ultra, but my question is what are your thoughts on the age that you start roading, or how do you advance your training of a pup when roading?

I currently run my pup off a quad a few days a week. Most of you know that she is 10 mos now. I somewhat let her set the pace and just follow. She has definitely opened up and is getting bigger in range and much faster. She can really cover ground now and haven't seen any quit. I normally have to shut it down. Even when I do, it takes 5 to 10 min to get her to come back in from the field. She does run with an older GSP most times out, and this is just to get her used to running tree lines and learning to handle corners, which she is getting great at.

I have heard from some that starting a pup out to young roading can cause bone issues and problems later on. Is this something that any of you have seen? So, I am just trying to get an Idea on when to start. I hear alot of trainers talking about roading right now and just thought I would pick the brains of the members here.

Not looking for arguments just some help.

Joe

[Karen]

People road when they don't have the time, daylight hours or grounds to run their dogs. If you're able to get your girl out running a few times a week, you're doing great! I WISH we could do that! It's one of the reasons mine go back to a trainer for spring & fall tune-ups.

[Winchey]

I would just do what you are doing until you are done derbies and the dog is physically mature.

[Cajun Casey]

We don't road anything under a year and a half if it's going to be pulling weight.

[remmy]

I second what Karen said. If you will always have the time to run her a few days a week then you really don't need to road her. You still can but I would only do it after she is fully grown 1 1/2 - 2 yrs old.

[AzDoggin]

I second what Karen said. If you will always have the time to run her a few days a week then you really don't need to road her. You still can but I would only do it after she is fully grown 1 1/2 - 2 yrs old.

third...what they said.

[RayGubernat]

I may do it a little different than some but I do slow road a young dog against resistance in addition to letting the dog free run. I feel that slow roading against resistance builds both muscle bulk and sprint muscles in a dog. The trick is not to do so much of it that you overstress the growing dog's bones and joints.

The resistance the dog roads against is generally me. I hook the youngster up to a roading harness and clip the line to a weightlifter's belt that I am wearing. I can tell instantly when the dog stops pulling...and generally, that is about the time to quit. Been doing it that way for several dogs now and have not had any sort of problem.

When I road the dog on foot, I also work on turning commands, stopping command and come in commands. When the dog is physically attached to you, it is fairly easy to "encourage" them to change direction and go in the direction you want them to go...to have them stop when you want them to stop and to have them come back in on command. In the warm weather I also teach them to come in on command for water and have them drink from a squeeze bottle.

When the dogs are older, I continue to slow road, but from horse. My back can only handle so much of that stuff.

RayG

[jcbuttry8]

Thanks for the advice. I will continue what I am doing. I didn't figure now was a time to stress that much, just wanted to get some Ideas on what others were doing. she seems to be doing great with what we are able to do each week. So, for now I will keep it going.

Thanks,

Joe

[bigsugar]

30 minutes of roading done right can replace 2 hours of free running.

I start ours in a roading harness off the four wheeler when they are about a year old. Like Ray said a little at a time. But they are running miles in it by the time they are 18 months old.

[rkappes]

Dumb questions. :roll: When roading with a four wheeler is the dog just hooked up and running with the four wheeler or is the dog pullling the four wheeler when its in neutral? We take our dog out on the country roads and let her rip and we'll follow her in the golf cart.

[Cajun Casey]

Mine pull in harness with the four wheeler running. Two dogs can break out the smaller four-wheeler in neutral, but they aren't expected to pull it. They naturally try to get in front and that provides the resistance. Roading really isn't necessary for your average companion hunting dog.

[bigsugar]

I road mine at a specific speed for a specific time. I'm not looking for distance really. The distance will come if I maintain the speed I'm after.

I would agree that roading a dog a bunch isn't really a necessary for 90% of the dogs in the world. I do it because it saves me time. I can hook my dog trailer up and leave right from the house. I can haul 12 dogs in my trailer and get them all some time in the harness.

[jcbuttry8]

So, would you say roading with quad is something you do more because you have multiple dogs but don't have the time to individually work them? If you only had one dog is it even something you would worry about.

Joe

[Winchey]

I think the really serious and competitive guys with 1 dog would still road. It works different muscles, resistance training is good for the power and explosiveness. It builds muscle. The free running for endurance. Same as a 1500 meter runner doesn't just go and run 1500 meters everyday to prepare for an event. A really good, balanced fitness regimen is only gonna help a trial dog.

I just think your dog is to young for roading just yet, going by what my vet who is also an ortho specialist has told me.

[bigsugar]

So, would you say roading with quad is something you do more because you have multiple dogs but don't have the time to individually work them? If you only had one dog is it even something you would worry about.

Joe

I do road based on numbers being a big factor but when I get down to 1 or 2 broke dogs I continue to road them constantly also. Roading a dog is better for conditioning then free running it is. It's also harder on the dog and you have to make sure you're putting the feed to them and feeding a good feed.