How to Prepare for a Hunting Trip with Your Weimaraner
Posted on: 7 November 2016
If you own a Weimaraner as a pet, you know just how goofy they can be, and you know that hunting is their natural instinct. What better way to spend time with your Weimaraner than taking it on a pheasant-hunting trip? Weimaraners were bred to hunt large animals, but they are considered the perfect dog for hunting birds, especially pheasants. However, even though your dog can instinctively track down birds and other animals, there's still some work to do before you head to a hunting lodge and out into the field. Here's what you'll need to do.
Get your dog used to a kennel
Your dog may be required to stay in a kennel while at the hunting lodge. Therefore, if your pooch is pampered and has never spent time in a kennel, it may be a good idea to introduce him to a kennel before going to the hunting lodge.
Train your dog
Letting an untrained hunting dog run out in the field is a disaster waiting to happen. Even the most loyal dogs can acquire selective hearing, especially when there are birds around. Do not attempt to take an untrained Weimaraner into the field. Your dog should be trained to listen to very basic commands, such as heel, sit, and stay. Also, hunting lodges may require dogs be trained if they are accompanying their owners on hunting trips.
Make sure your dog is in good shape
Pheasant hunting is an active sport for both dogs and humans, but especially for dogs. Weimaraners are naturally athletic, but they can get out of shape if they don't get enough exercise. While on a hunt, your dog could be running through fields, jumping over rocks and streams, and dodging branches from trees. This means taking your dog for daily walks probably isn't enough for it to be in good enough shape to last longer than an hour or so. When you book your reservation at a hunting lodge, ask the receptionist what types of terrain you and your dog will encounter on the hunting trips. Then, find areas near your home that are similar in features where your dog will be able to run and exercise.
Buy a hunter-orange vest and booties
The coat of Weimaraners, whether silver, silver-gray, or mouse-gray, can make them easily blend into the surroundings while they are on a hunt. Just as you will need outfit yourself with bright-orange hunter-safety attire, your dog should also wear bright orange, particularly a hunting vest. Depending on the terrain features of the location where you will be hunting, you may also want to consider getting your pooch a set of booties to protect their feet, especially if there are sharp rocks in the area.
Use tick control
Hunting dogs that go deep into the brush and vegetation are easily susceptible to ticks. Prevent ticks from latching onto your Weimaraner by using tick-control products. Ask your veterinarian for prescription-strength tick control. Even so, you'll still need to check your dog for ticks after each excursion, just to be safe. Fortunately, Weimaraners have short coats, which makes it easier to spot ticks.
Pack a first-aid kit
Since your dog may encounter various situations while pointing, flushing, chasing, and recovering birds, it's a good idea to pack a first-aid kit specifically for your dog. There are kits specifically designed for hunting dogs, and these kits are sold in pet stores and online. The hunting lodge may also have first-aid kits readily available for hunting dogs. If you'd like to build your own first-aid kit, be sure to include typical things like gauze, antibiotic ointment, and pain reliever.
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