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From: Black Magic Kennels
Date: 8/20/00
Time: 1:39:51 PM
Remote Name: 152.163.197.188
I think not only does the temperature matter when training, but also the percent humidity. Remember a dog cools off thriugh it's feet and through panting. If the air is real moist, it doesn't cool off as well. It also matters what kind of shape your dogs are in before you start any serious conditioning. We purposely keep our dogs a little lean in the hot months, then put weight on them as it gets colder. We also do some free running where there is plenty of water for them to get in. Also have a pen to let them run around loose in. You can't take a couch potato and jump him right into a 5 mile run, but a "conditioned" athlete you can. We usually start out with 5-6 mile runs in the early cool mornings. I usually add up the temp and humidity, and if it's above 135 I will not run. But it all depends on the humidity. We'll run when it's a little warmer if the humidity is low. We stop about every 2 miles and give them some lovin' and once their banging and barking to go, we do. Have never had a problem. Keep em lean!!! and don't go right from the chain all summer to running. We are also starting out slow, with the dogs really working, about 7-8 mph, 4-wheeler geared way down, building up muscle and ligiments.