1. Welcome to Game Dog Forum

    You are currently viewing our forum as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community, you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

    If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.

    Dismiss Notice

nutrition when conditioning

Discussion in 'Health & Nutrition' started by CesarT, Jul 19, 2016.

  1. CesarT

    CesarT Pup

    Wonderinf how you guys feed your dog's when getting them lean. I'm currently feeding raw for 3 and not sure whether to keep the fat low or high. Thinking of switching to acana for cost.
     
  2. c_note

    c_note CH Dog

    Fat high when working
     
  3. NatureBoy

    NatureBoy Big Dog

    Get yourself a set of scales.. One to weigh your food and another to weigh your dog. Weigh your dog and then weigh your food and slowly adjust. You'll probably start off by cutting food but as the work load increases you'll have to slowly increase your feed to maintain the desired weight. Naturally your dog should lean out and keep muscle if you giving the right amount of food.
     
    kasperian likes this.
  4. CesarT

    CesarT Pup

    I have both and have been using them. Usually feed pork or beef roughly 10oz plus turkey neck and liver/kidney but it's been so hot here in North Texas it's hard to work them in 100 degree weather so I've had to reduce their food alot. Going to be building a carpet mill in the garage with fans around it this weekend. Only doing flirt/spring pole work and hand walk for 30 minutes at night and it's stI'll 90-95 degrees. They've have gotten a little leaner but of course not enough work to see much changes. Just wanted to make sure on the nutrition side I was doing it correctly.
     
  5. slim12

    slim12 Super Moderator Staff Member

    In that kind of heat the fat content and the water content of the food is paramount. Go with some fattier cuts of meat like cow cheek or even better would be chicken. Fueling with fat and the dog burning fat will be a cooler process for the dog. Feeding lean meats and organ meats is a good source of protein but protein requires more energy for the dog to digest, assimilate and/or make energy.

    In turn higher protein and lesser fat will lead to a warmer dog. A lot of water has to be added to the feed to ensure hydration and fresh water readily available an hour or so after feeding and cooling down. He will hydrate himself from that point.

    Then factor in 95 plus degrees and it becomes a challenge. Baby steps with upping the fat content, ensuring hydration and the dog will fall to a really good place to work.

    S
     
    PMK, CesarT, niko and 1 other person like this.
  6. CesarT

    CesarT Pup

    Do yall feed them before or just after their work? I'm doing 1 hr post work.
     
  7. you can get around working the dog in the heat by swimming your dog
     
  8. NatureBoy

    NatureBoy Big Dog

    15-20 mins
     
    CrazyHorse likes this.
  9. slim12

    slim12 Super Moderator Staff Member

    I go 30 minutes. I use that time to rub him down and cool down.

    S
     
    pitbulld0gs likes this.
  10. stinkrock

    stinkrock Top Dog

    As I also.
     
  11. ShakaZ

    ShakaZ CH Dog

    I do it 45 min. after work.
     
  12. CesarT

    CesarT Pup

    No where to swim around here but Temps have gone down a lot here in Texas so have been working them with my bike for 4-6 miles everyday.
     
  13. NatureBoy

    NatureBoy Big Dog

    I also give a little pre wrk out something something.
    If you understand how the body works and when the body starts to search for glycogen replenishment is what should determine when you feed.
     
  14. CesarT

    CesarT Pup

    I understand how the human body works as I'm a gym nut just wasn't sure if canines are the same. I have a pre workout meal long 1 hr before workout with intra carbs/protein during my workout along with a post workout meal.45 minutes afterwards.
     
  15. slim12

    slim12 Super Moderator Staff Member

    Similar just the fuels are different. Dogs need fat. Dogs need protein but certain kinds of protein. Chicken and red meats work best as it is easily digestible and easily assimilates. Of the fats the chicken fats, in my experience, work best.

    I do not do a pre-workout feeding or supplementation. My dog works while empty, as empty as I can have him.

    The 30 minute window afterwards is for re-fueling.

    When empty, and after work, the body will burn, use and recover what ever is given. Optimal re-fueling is the first step to optimal conditioning.

    S
     
    PMK likes this.
  16. NatureBoy

    NatureBoy Big Dog

    The body will look for replenishment asap. The digestion period starts right away but to replenishment happens as the nutrients are being broken down. Imo the time it's takes after a workout to burn more calories is not as important as replenishment. Feed for tomorrow is my mind set. Understanding optimal balance is the key to my methods. Making sure reserves are at a peak to perform at the individuals heights level.
    My pre work supplementation is digested well before the work starts as I agree with you working empty is important but having extra reserves will never hurt.
     
    kasperian and PMK like this.
  17. slim12

    slim12 Super Moderator Staff Member

    Agreed. Every one has a plan. If a plan is working, by all means that is the plan one should be using.

    I mimic show night. The work I choose and the conditions in which the dog work are based on how things will be on show night. I'm looking for the dog to be empty and ready to work at show weight every day. I feed and hydrate from show weight up every day.

    Contrary to popular belief the keep, especially the last half is far from being a safe place for the dog. His hydration level is at a bare minimum. His body fat is way low and his blood counts are in the extremes. Great physical condition yes, completely healthy, no.

    My dogs are on routine from 2 weeks in to show night. I do not pre-fuel for working out knowing I can't pre-fuel on show night.

    Every one has a plan. All plans are not the same.

    Great topic.

    S
     
    PMK likes this.
  18. NatureBoy

    NatureBoy Big Dog

    My pre wrk secrete juice is given 12hrs out and is roughly 4-5 oz that is pissed out before we hit the scales. I guess depending on your feed plays a big part in digestion time as kibble and raw digest at different rates. Give it a try and and let me know what you think. Show night I try and get away from the discomforts of the keep. I'm always a lil under weight so I can feed a lot more.
     
  19. slim12

    slim12 Super Moderator Staff Member

    You didn't mention 12 hours before in the 'a little something something' post.

    I do the same. When were talking post work out and then pre-workout came up I guess I was thinking the same time frame. My apologies for the assumption.

    I pretty much do the same. The dog is way empty after 12 hours.

    I mimic the show. If he is to be shown at 40 I want to start work at 40. No more than 40.5. During the work he will drop weight just like the show, an hour in he may be 39 maybe less. I do not want an hour into a show and it is the first time he ever had to exert himself at 39 or 38.5, if that makes sense.

    I feed him the amount that will take him back to show weight puls what he burns between weigh ins. Falls back to 40 on time for the next days work.

    I know some who work the dog and feed him a supplementation laced soupy mixture that refuels and rehydrates. The next meal some 10 hours later is used to dial weight.

    Tons of methods. The only time one is wrong is when it does not work. LOL

    S
     
    Sleep and XLR8 like this.
  20. NatureBoy

    NatureBoy Big Dog

    I like your thinking here slim! I keep mine a pound or two over right up until 2 weeks out. Week of the show they 3/4's over so making weight is not a problem. I find it's hard to peak them working at weight. But that's just me and I appreciate you sharing your valued info!
     
    PMK likes this.

Share This Page