In the words of Bob West, director of Purina's Field Programs, "Common sense must prevail." West, who has worked professionally with hunting dog breeds since 1967, noted that hunting dogs possess such a strong desire to hunt that they will actually injure themselves in the process. Their exercise must be tailored to ease joints and muscles gradually back into fitness while avoiding overheating.

LOSE THE FAT
According to West, overweight is the leading cause of health problems in dogs. He suggests six to eight weeks of pre-season conditioning as a minimum to regain hunt-ready status for any chubby, sluggish dog. He adds that dogs entering the hunting season in unfit condition are prone to injury and may not attain proper fitness until just when the season is closing.

It's vitally important to take your dog to a veterinarian for a full physical exam before beginning any exercise and training program. Be sure to tell the vet how you intend to hunt the dog and seek his advice on a proper and safe exercise plan.

Veterinarian Bruce Mueller agrees that overweight causes most canine health problems, but adds that the scale doesn't tell the whole story. To properly check body condition, he advises that you "Put your hands on the dog."

If you cannot feel any ribs or spinal vertebrae because of a thick layer of fat, then your dog is overweight and almost certainly unfit for the strenuous physical demands of hunting. If the ribs and spine are quite obvious to the eye, the dog is too thin and may have a parasite infection that requires immediate attention. But if you can easily feel the dog's ribs and vertebrae, the animal is very likely in proper condition.

During exercise, it's vitally important to monitor your dog closely for signs of overheating. Watch for dark gums that indicate a large amount of blood in the mouth tissues striving to be cooled. Heavy panting, a drooping "lazy" tail, lolling eyes or slow gait are other indicators of overheating that must be closely monitored. At the first sign of overheating, act to cool the dog. Stop, rest and provide water. Flushing the dog's mouth with fresh water will clear heavy saliva from the tongue and gums and promote cooling.

Professional trainers carry thermometers to monitor their charges' body temperatures. For most breeds, the normal body temperature averages 102 degrees. Temps in the 104- to 105-degree range demand immediate attention, but cooling should be done gradually with rest in the shade, and cool water. A seriously heat-stressed dog may never fully recover and may never hunt with the same stamina and eagerness that he had before.

For returning an out-of-shape dog to hunting fitness, West suggests the following tips:

HAVE A PLAN THAT WORKS
Begin with short periods of exercise in the early weeks, as little as 10 to 15 minutes of moderate exercise daily or every other day.

Mix it up and keep it fun. Your dog should enjoy exercising, so make it hunting-related (such as retrieving training for retrievers). When the dog loses interest or appears tired, stop the session immediately.