Pre-Game Meal

Coveyrise64 · Post by **Coveyrise64** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:46 pm

I need some advice on feeding before a trial or test. If I feed the normal amount the night before I will put her down early to empty out and will do it again before we are on the line. Invariably, after the break away she will run for a few minutes and then empty again. I feed a good quality food so I feel the digestibility is there. Should I feed her a light meal the night before or not at all and is this an issue with the judges?

Thanks...

Coveyrise64

wannabe · Post by **wannabe** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 10:42 pm

No matter when I fed one of my dogs, she always took a dump within 100 yards of the breakaway. I am sure that it bothered me more than it did the judges because we managed to take home a lot of ribbons.

OhioOnPoint · Post by **OhioOnPoint** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:33 am

I'm going to have to agree here -- I have never been to any event where my dog hasn't dumped with 5 minutes of the starting line.

Never really put much thought or analysis as to why. Maybe, because she is usually kenneled a good portion of the day prior to the run, and it's the first chance she gets.

snips · Post by **snips** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:45 am

I generally do not feed a full meal the nite before running, and I may give them just a couple of bites of food the morning of running. I always walk a dog before their brace, they learn to empty out. I don't like dogs dumping on 'my time"....

Devils Creek · Post by **Devils Creek** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:26 am

As a judge, I guess it's a non-event. Maybe only 15-20 seconds out of 30 or 60 minutes. What happens next is the important thing.

I feed a standard ration at maybe 3pm the day before I run, and I don't feed anything but water before the brace. If he runs 2 days in a row, I'll feed as soon as I can after the first day's run.

ohiogsp · Post by **ohiogsp** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:25 am

Dogs just want to get it out before they run real hard that is all. Think about would you like to run 5 miles when you had to go? I don't really think it is a big deal in any event?

12 Volt Man · Post by **12 Volt Man** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:57 am

I feed a normal amount the night before. I try and make sure they get a chance to get out and do their business before they run the next day. Then if it is a two day event, they get fed right after their last run on the first day.

I recently read an article posted here somewhere by Purina. It recommended feeding a full 24 hours before an event.

Post by **Ayres** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:20 pm

I've always fed regular the day before, but nothing the morning of the event. It doesn't really matter much anyway (the no-morning chow) because my dog eats at two different times: late afternoon and late evening.

Yeah, he empties after he runs a bit, but that's just excitement. Does it all the time. I could walk him for an hour before we break off the line and he'd still squeeze out a bit after the go was given.

birdshot · Post by **birdshot** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:33 pm

this may be wives tale, i once was told a dog runs on the energy/calories he received 12 hours prior. i have always interpreted this to mean feed normal meal the evening before.
i don't have much experience with pointer field trials so i can't comment on loss of style points for your dog dumping on the course, but in retriever trials and spaniel trials it is a big deal. i think it was dave duffy who recommended using a match stick enima before you run. cleans dog out fast. use paper match. no need to light.

DKRick · Post by **DKRick** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:36 pm

Ayres wrote:I've always fed regular the day before, but nothing the morning of the event. It doesn't really matter much anyway (the no-morning chow) because my dog eats at two different times: late afternoon and late evening.

.

Is this normal feeding for you as in late afternoon and late evening. I take maybe your dogs are outside (in kennel runs)? Clue me in.

Post by **Ayres** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:47 pm

My dog has just adjusted to a schedule that he likes. We actually put food down for him in the morning, but he usually waits until I get home from work (or almost) to eat it. Once he finishes his first bowl, we immediately put down a second bowl and he usually eats it before going to bed. His choice, not mine. But it works for him. He maintains the proper weight and conditioning, so I don't mess with his eating habits.

I assume that when I get a second dog they both will start eating right when I feed them.

Drahtsundbraats · Post by **Drahtsundbraats** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:57 pm

I have always fed once/day, in the early evening and then I don't allow hard excercise before the next morning. I don't kow how common torsion is in the various sporting breeds, but it has always appeard to me that the larger the breed the bigger the chance.

Comments

Post by **Ayres** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:59 pm

torsion = bloat, or twisted gut?

Drahtsundbraats · Post by **Drahtsundbraats** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 3:08 pm

Yes, that's what I meant-maybe I didn't use the right term.

DGFavor · Post by **DGFavor** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 3:53 pm

Giving out "secrets" here - feed as close as possible to 21 hours prior to running. Within 30" after hunting/training/competing, feed a maltodextrin supplement - especially if that dog is hunting/training/competing again in the next day or two.

http://www.proplan.com/sportingdog/arti ... eding.aspx

http://www.proplan.com/sportingdog/arti ... hment.aspx

http://www.proplan.com/sportingdog/arti ... ement.aspx

http://www.proplan.com/sportingdog/default.aspx?T=04

http://www.proplan.com/sportingdog/default.aspx?T=06

Not really secrets - just putting research into action. Works well for us.

Devils Creek · Post by **Devils Creek** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:27 pm

Well, my scout (and son) and I like to polish off a couple of Taco Bell Burrito Grandes, and then chase them down with a six pack of Budweiser.....each......

Oh you meant my dog!!

Actually Doug I read those articles some time ago, and basically that's exactly what we're trying to do.

Some years ago there was a lot of talk about megadosing a dog for a short time before an extended hunting period with Vitamin C, which supposedly will help break down lactic acid build up in the muscles. Only for a short period of time, as it's hard on the kidneys.

I have done this on hunts where I used the dog a bunch for a 4-9 day hunting trip, and I felt there was a big difference in reducing stiffness.

Any body else played with this?

DGFavor · Post by **DGFavor** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:39 pm

My dad always gives his dog an Ester C after hunting and really believes it helps reduce stiffness. I think the best thing for reducing stiffness is to have 'em in good shape to start with!! We did hunt some nasty rock gardens on horribly hard frozen ground this year and did notice our dogs were really soring up...not their pads, their bodies. We solved that problem by letting 'em rest after the hunting season ended!!

Del Taco for me and an ice cold 'Curse Light.

Post by **Ayres** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 4:57 pm

As far as the Ester-C goes, Justus gets a daily doggy dose of Next Level joint supplement for horses (1/4 oz for every 50lbs of a dog). It's got glucosamine, condroiton, MSM and Ester-C all wrapped up in a liquid form. Sure beats the half a Glucosamine tab and Ester-C pill I was giving. Much easier to dose.

I'd give a fish oil pill too, but instead I use a blend of sensitive skin and stomach Proplan into the Performance. All the salmon meal takes care of that I say. My dog's coat looks good anyway.

Devils Creek · Post by **Devils Creek** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 5:48 pm

[quote="Ayres"]As far as the Ester-C goes, Justus gets a daily doggy dose of Next Level joint supplement for horses (1/4 oz for every 50lbs of a dog). It's got glucosamine, condroiton, MSM and Ester-C all wrapped up in a liquid form. Sure beats the half a Glucosamine tab and Ester-C pill I was giving. Much easier to dose.[quote]

Good hint....thanks