The famous words of legendary football coach Vince Lombardi, “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail,” definitely ring true in the world of gun dogs, especially when it comes to working in the late season. Retrievers are often exposed to cold water, low temperatures, ice and snow throughout various waterfowl and upland seasons. It is not uncommon to have a retriever buck choppy seas through blinding sleet to bring in a wing-tipped mallard, or brave below-zero temperatures chasing wily. Late-season roosters. It is our job as owners to not only adequately prepare them for the grind of these hunts, but to ensure their safety throughout the season.

When lakes start to become hard and the red legs come from the north, waterfowlers get a twinkle in their eye and work hard to find open water. These can be the most challenging and dangerous hunts for your dog as they are fully exposed to winter’s icy grip. During these times, you need to take steps to ensure their success, and more importantly, safety.

Cold-water conditioning is crucial. To condition a dog to cold water, gradually expose them to progressively colder water temperatures over time. This is best done in the months and weeks preceding cold-water hunts. Throw one or two water marks and have them experience cold water. Immediately after, throw some “fun” bumpers on land. This gets them moving and warmed back up. A few of these sessions a couple of times a week keeps them conditioned, less susceptible to limber tail syndrome (commonly known as “swimmer’s tail,” more acclimated to the water temperature, and can trigger a thickening of their existing undercoat.

Many retrievers that hunt weekly throughout the season are naturally conditioned to cold water as the temperature usually drops a few degrees each week throughout fall. However, during late-season hunts, it is not the retrieving that gets your pup in trouble; it is the waiting between flights. After swimming in cold water, make sure you dry and rub your dog off between retrieves. After they shake, wipe them down to remove any excess water with an absorbent towel or shammy. Be sure to rub them while you are drying them to stimulate blood flow. Keep them out of the water between retrieves. Use a dog platform or stand with a mesh bottom to allow the dripping water to drain away.

Get an enclosed blind for the stand to keep the wind and elements at bay. If hunting out of an aluminum boat, have them sit on a bar mat or foam pad; this keeps them off the heat-robbing metal deck. Wool blankets, an old parka, and neoprene vests work well to cover a pup and retain heat. Look to have a portable heater in the boat or blind. If possible, add some straw to the dogs stand/blind to aid in insulation. Some fun bumpers on land after an icy retrieve or a mid-day romp through a field can warm them up quickly as well.

Know the depth of the water and areas with current. Is the water shallow enough for your dog to jump back up onto the ice shelf? Have your skiff or boat ready to launch at a moment’s notice if you see any signs of distress. Keep your hunting area clear of ice by using a rake. Help your pup out; if you have multiple birds down, go pick up a few yourself. Try to kill all cripples before even thinking about sending your dog. There is just no sense in sending your dog into the elements for longer than needed. Be observant and diligent. If your dog looks uncomfortable and shaking, work to warm them and call it a day.

Fitness and nutrition are also key factors to having safe and successful hunts. Dogs need to be worked year-round. Opening day shouldn’t be the first time your pup is tasked with the herculean effort of long swims or quartering a field for hours on end. Fitness needs to be a year-round endeavor. Local retriever clubs and dog training groups are a great way to not only keep your pups’ skills sharp throughout the year, but by meeting at least once a week, they get the “working” fitness they need to keep their strength and endurance at peak levels. Trail runs, long off leash walks, and summer swimming are also good ways to keep your canine athlete in tip-top shape.

Make sure you are feeding a high-quality dog food. Like human athletes, nutrition is a major component to overall health and successful performance in the field. At times, after challenging hunts, you may need to add more food as the dogs are burning more calories than normal, especially on multi-day, cold-weather hunts. Always maintain their weight and make sure your pup is carrying an “hourglass” figure, neither too heavy nor too light.

We as owners are responsible for what our dogs do. They don’t always see the danger, don’t consider the cold, and don’t contemplate the consequences if they jump into a mostly frozen lake. They will do it because they have been bred to do it and we ask them to do it. So, make sure we give them all the support they need and are not asking them to do something that will harm them.

While retrievers were bred out of necessity. Times have changed and so has education, resources and knowledge. Some help between flights can go a long way in ensuring safe and successful late season hunts for you and your pup.

For more insight and tips on how to make the most of the time you spend hunting, check out the articles in every issue of MidWest Outdoors, available by subscribing on our website.